Master of Music in Double Bass Performance-The Cleveland Institute of Music;
          Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance - S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo;
          Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory - S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo;
          Honors include a C.I.M. scholarship, The Baird Scholarship, The Livingston
             Award,  Gearhardt University and National Deans Lists and the a scholarship to attend
             The Brevard Summer Music Festival in 1997.

Primary Teachers:

           Scott Haigh (Associate Principal Double Bass; The Cleveland Orchestra), Roger Macchiaroli
           (Assistant principal double bass; Buffalo Philharmonic), and Lawrence Angell (retired 
           principal double Bass; The Cleveland Orchestra). Orchestral studies with principal players
           major of orchestras including Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and New York; and
           Double Bass Professors at major music schools including Juiliard, Indiana University, Illinois
           University, The Hart School, Michigan State.  Chris has also played such conductors as
           Michael Tilson  Thomas, Louis Lane, Steven Smith, David Effron, Carl Topilow, James
           David Conlon, Zinmann and Sydney Harth. Jazz Studies with Mike Moser (buffalo based
           guitarist), Paul Fergusson (The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra), Mark Dresser, John Lindberg, and
           Peter Dominguez (jazz bass professor; Oberlin School of Music).  Guitar studies with Mike
           Moser and John Stebal and Jr. Music Theory studies with Dr. Charles Smith.

  Chris has been giving private lessons since 1993 in multiple Buffalo and Cleveland locations- many of his former students have gone on to music school (some with scholarships) and many more have become active members of the local music scene.  On average, he has about 80 students per week and plays 15-20 gigs per month.
 
  Chris has consistently been a prolific performer in both the classical and jazz/rock realms throughout his career. He has been the featured soloist on some of the most demanding classical repertoire and has served as principal bass of the Bermuda Symphony as well as the Buffalo Opera Company Orchestra.  Currently the bassist for avant-garde jazz group Kassaba (www.kassaba.com), 15 60 75 (www.numbersband.com), Suddenly, Sharply, Midnight , The Mercury’s featuring Hollywood Slim (who also helped build the studio, appropriately named “The Hollywood Slim Wing”), The Ricky Exton Quartet, Basscapes (solo bass), Wallace Coleman, The John Stebal Trio, and his own jazz group called Treeyo. He has served as a substitute player for area orchestras as well as The Mike Petrone Trio, Blue Lunch, Tommy Shaper, Michael Civisca, Abundance, The Jay Epstein Trio, and Jerry Bruno Productions, just to name a few.  Featured on recordings by Kassaba, Parallels and Cletus Black.

  In addition, Chris has had some training as a string instrument repair/adjustment technician.  Formerly a shop adjuster for Conn-Selmer's Stringed Instruments Division, Chris currently works as a Specifications Consultant for the company.  He has also worked for Peter Zaret and Sons Violins - you can read his articles titled, “How to Get The Best Jazz Sound Out Of Your Double Bass”, “Making the Transition From Electric Bass to the Double Bass” and “How to Choose a Double Bass” at www.zaretandsonsviolins.com/articles.html.      (back)

Chris Vance proudly endorses NS Design and their EU5 Electric Upright Basses. 
Click on the logo for more information.  

          M.M., Collaborative Piano, The Cleveland Institute of Music;
          M.M., Piano Performance, Wayne State University;
          B.M., Piano Performance, University of Windsor;
 

   Oksana Vignan, a native of Ukraine, received her primary musical training at the Ukrainian State Collage of Music. After immigrating to Canada in 1996, Oksana completed her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance Degree at the University of Windsor, Ontario.  While studying at the U of W, Oksana participated in numerous piano competitions, music festivals, and piano recitals.  She was a recipient of a First Prize at the national level ORMTA piano competition in Toronto in 2000 as well as a First Prize Winner of the Silver Tray Prize at the national level of the Kiwanis Music Festival in Kitchener-Waterloo in 2001.
   In 2002 Oksana was invited to pursue a Master of Music in Piano Performance Degree at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, where she was offered a full tuition scholarship and a Young Artist Fellowship for an outstanding performance.  Upon completion of the degree Oksana came to Cleveland in order to study at The Cleveland Institute of Music, where she received her second Master of Music Degree in Collaborative Piano and Chamber Music.  Next to extensively participating in performances of solo and chamber music, as well as collaboration with vocalists and instrumentalists in the Cleveland area, Oksana has devoted a great amount of time to teaching and educating students in all aspects of piano playing, music theory, and history.  Oksana is a registered teacher with The Royal Conservatory of Music, which offers an opportunity for accreditation of students though the Conservatory exams, if such is sought after.  Oksana is committed to helping young people to grow as musicians, through providing a nurturing environment, focused and energized instructions that would motivate students to perform at personal-based level, and foster a life-long appreciation for music.  Oksana also holds a position of a Music Director at the Fowler's Mill Christian Church in Chardon, OH.    (back)

          M.M., Piano Performance,The Cleveland Institute of Music;
          B.A., Piano Performance,University of New Hampshire;
          B.M., Music Education,University of New Hampshire;
           

   Jonathan Roberts, originally from RI, holds a Master of Music Degree in piano performance from the Cleveland Institute of music as well as two bachelors degrees from the University of New Hampshire; a Bachelor of Arts degree in piano performance and a Bachelor of Music degree in music education. With his formal training beginning at the age of 7, Jonathan's major teachers have included Kathy Czerny, Irina Tchantceva, Arlene Kies, and Kathryn Brown. Major awards have included a CIM institutional scholarship, UNH presidential scholarship, and UNH music scholarhip. Jonathan has also been featured as soloist with the Ocean State Chamber Orchestra and the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony. Jonathan maintains an active teaching and performing career throughout the Cleveland area, performing solo and chamber recitals, particularly as a member of the Kamikaze Duo with violinist Amanda Smith. Jonathan is currently continuing his professional development as soloist and collaborator in the Professional Studies program at the Cleveland Institute of Music.     (back)

   Stephen J. Zombory, also a native of Lakewood, will be teaching saxophones and clarinets.  With an emphasis on sax, he is a recent graduate of Cleveland State University with a B.M. in Music Performance.  Stephen has also studied at Youngstown State University.  While a student Stephen had been principal Saxophone in the CSU Wind and Jazz ensembles and won positions in the IAJE Intercollegiate "All-Star" Jazz Ensemble in 2002, 2005, and 2006.  His primary teachers include Dr. Kent Englehardt, Dr. James Umble, and Howie Smith.  He has served as band leader as well as side man in various performance situations including Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians, The Harry Hershey Orchestra, Latin jazz projects Son Alegre and Grupo K-Non, as a local sub for pop groups such as The Temptations, and has also been a performer at Cedar Point.  Currently Stephen is very active as a private teacher, a freelance jazz performer, and in Sammy Deleon y su Orquesta.  Stephen has many years of experience as a teacher in a wide range of styles.    (back)

   As one of the top players in the Cleveland music scene over the past 30 years, we are happy to introduce
Mr. Roy King.  Playing since age 6, Roy's teachers include his father, Bob McKee, Bill Certain, Emil Senole (Percussionist with Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell), Tommy Edwards (one of the best swing drummers
this area has ever seen), and Howard Brush (who also taught Jamie Haddad, Greg Giancola, Jim Fox of The James Gang).  He has attended clinics given by Joe Morello, Louis Hayes, J.C. Heard, Louis Belson, Roy Burns, Ed Shaunnessy, Jonathan Moffet, Kenny Arnoff, Rogers Drums and Modern Drummer.

  Roy began his undergraduate studies as a Music Education Major at Hiedelberg College in Tiffin, OH.  There he organized the Heidelberg Jazz Ensemble.  While at Heidelberg, Roy heard the legendary Bill Dobbins, who led groups from Kent State.  This prompted his decision to transfer to Kent in order to work under Bill Dobbins, where he won numerous prizes and competitions.  Roy Graduated from Kent State with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Music.  He has worked in various school systems throughout the area as a music teacher, although the demand for him as a performer has limited him to private teaching and gigging in recent years.

  Roy has performed with Leather Soul, Pat Pace, The Idiots Convention Band, Black Experience Band, Bobby
Green, Amos Taylor, The Tom Fitt Trio, The Gopher Broke Swing Band, Reckless Abandon, Alex Bevan, Bill Nofttsinger, WSLR, Johnny Gimbale, and Bucky Pitserelli.  Roy currently works as the full-time drummer for The
Mike Petrone Trio and Hillbilly Idol and also subs for Joe Hunter and Rock Whermann.  Roy has also performed with the legendary Mose Allison as well as The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom with Kathleen Battle, the world famous soprano, recording three CD’s.    (back)

   Chris Scott is an eclectic musician, whose tastes, knowledge, and experience span everything from orchestral music to jazz to experimental electronica.  He is an active performer, composer, arranger, and educator in Cleveland's rich music scene.

    Chris earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Youngstown State University, where he studied trumpet with Christopher Krummel.  He was also involved in YSU's venerable jazz program, performing on their jazz ensemble's studio album, "Burnin'".   After college, Chris went on to be a show band musician on Carnival Cruise Line's fleet of pleasure cruising vessels.

   In Cleveland, Chris was a founding member and songwriter for the jazz/electronic groups Solrae and Luxure.  He currently performs with Cleveland's premiere wedding and special event band, "Twist!".  He has also been a guest performer with Akron based funk group "Costley Court".

   Chris's teaching experience is equally diverse.  He has been a music educator in the Cleveland and Euclid public school systems, teaching students from Kindergarten through high school in every kind of musical discipline.  Chris has also taught private trumpet lessons in many different settings, including Cuyahoga Community College's "Community Music Program".   (back)

Bryan Kennard:

          Flute