Study with professional musicians

Vance Music Studios Instructors

Christopher E. Vance
(Studio Director)

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Mr. Vance holds a Master of Music in Double Bass Performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music, a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory - S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo. Primary double bass studies with Scott Haigh (Associate Principal Double Bass- The Cleveland Orchestra), Roger Macchiaroli (Assistant Principal Double Bass- Buffalo Philharmonic), and Lawrence Angell (Principal Double Bass- The Cleveland Orchestra). Further 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. Mr. Vance has played under such conductors as Michael Tilson Thomas, Louis Lane, Steven Smith, David Effron, Carl Topilow, James Conlon, David Zinmann and Sydney Harth. Jazz Bass 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 Jr. and music theory studies with Dr. Charles Smith. Honors include a C.I.M. scholarship, The Baird Scholarship, The Livingston Award, Gearhardt University and National Deans Lists and a scholarship to attend The Brevard Summer Music Festival in 1997.

Chris has been giving private lessons since 1992 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. He currently plays with 15 60 75 (www.numbersband.com), an Organ Trio called The Killerwatt Hours, as well as various pick-up gigs on bass and guitar. He has played with The Mercury's featuring Hollywood Slim , The Ricky Exton Quartet, Wallace Coleman, The John Stebal Trio, Bobby Ferrazza, Bob Frasier, and Mark Gridley. He has served as a substitute player for The Buffalo Philharmonic, The Akron Symphony, The Canton Symphony, The Erie Symphony as well as The Mike Petrone Trio, Blue Lunch, Michael Civisca, Abundance, The Jay Epstein Trio, and Jerry Bruno Productions, just to name a few. He is 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. Chris Vance proudly endorses NS Design and their EU5 Electric Upright Basses, as well as Modulus and their Quantum 6 Bass Guitar.

Carly Kuhn

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Carly Kuhn, a native of Lakewood, is our voice instructor. She is a recent graduate of Wittenberg University with a B.M. in Music Performance. While a student at Wittenberg, Carly took a semester abroad to study music history, performance, and culture in Vienna, Austria. Carly has consistently been involved in various musical theater productions, jazz performances, and singing groups such as The Ladies Vocal Trio and The Wittenberg Chamber Singers. Carly is a seasoned instructor, and keep on the look out for Carly's upcoming local performances.

Alexander Wasserman

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A native of Oak Park, CA, Alexander Wasserman grew up in a musical family and began formal piano studies with Suzanne Julian. He has been the recipient of many awards, scholarships and honors including the USC "Friends of Armenia" scholarship and a winner of the Leni Fe Bland scholarship five consecutive years.

Alexander holds a Bachelors of Music degree Cum Laude in piano performance from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, where his principal instructor was Antoinette Perry, and a Masters of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he was a scholarship student under the instruction of Dr. Daniel Shapiro. Alexander has attended music festivals including Idyllwild, the Aspen Music Festival and the Orford Arts center in Quebec, Canada. He has also participated in master classes with Henri Brassard, Richard Raymond and Uriel Tsachor, as well as additional lessons with Sergei Babayan, Dai Uk Lee, Paul Schenly, Edward Francis and Diane Ketchie.

As a recitalist, Alexander has performed in both the United States and in Canada to critical acclaim. Recent engagements have brought him to the cities of Los Angeles, Cleveland, Boston and Baltimore.

He is also active as a chamber musician, and has been heard on Los Angeles's classical music station 91.5 KUSC. As an orchestral soloist, Alexander has appeared in performances of concertos by Liszt and Rachmaninoff, including performances televised by Adelphia Broadcasting.

Alexander recently completed a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institue of Music, under the instruction of Yong Hi Moon. He is currently earning his doctorate in piano performance with Antonio Pompa-Baldi at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Rick Gleason

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Rick began playing the guitar at age 12. In high school began jazz studies as well as arranging and composition with John Stebal, Jr. In 1971, he attended the Howard Roberts Clinic for jazz studies in Hollywood, California. He studied classical guitar with Andre Muchkov at CIM.

In the late 70's, Rick studied classical piano with Barbara Klownowski at the Willoughby School of Fine Arts. He then studied at Cleveland State with Ginina Caesars as well as jazz piano with Neal Creque.

Rick has been teaching music since high school. He was a faculty member at the East Cleveland Community Theater where he did Suzuki teaching on piano, violin and guitar. He was head of the music program at St. Henry's in Warrensville Hts., Ohio. He was also a member of the Music Extension Program at Garfield Hts. High School where he taught piano and guitar, as well as coaching ensembles.

Rick has an A.A. from Lakeland Community College and a B.A. from Cleveland State University.

Rick began performing professionally in junior high school. He later toured with and was musical director for vocalist Paula Graham. He continues to perform as a soloist, and with his trio, Factotum, a jazz-blues fusion group

Jeff Powers

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Mr. Powers has been an active performer and teacher since the early 1980's - equally adept in Classical and Blues/Rock. He has a BM in Guitar Performance as well as a Master's Degree in Guitar Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has studied with Bob Pressler, Ralph Russo, Christoph Harlan, and John Holmquist. After his studies here in Cleveland, Jeff went abroad to study Flamenco guitar with Marco Antonio Anguiano at the Universidad Nacional Autanoma de Mexico in Mexico City.

Jeff has taught at El Estudio Bartok (Mexico) and Tri-C West while maintaining an extensive studio locally. Giving regular solo classical performances, he has also played in the Blues Bands El Hangar Ambulante, Cold Shot, and Clarksdale. He currently leads the band Dead Guy Blues. Additionally, he has featured on several recordings and has hosted various open mike/jam nights at The Winchester, Sheehan's, Floodwater, McKenna's. Picture This and Carribe.

Joe Bonsignore (J. Blues)

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J.Blues has opened shows in the Cleveland area for such legendary greats as Robert Lockwood Jr., John Hammond, David Lindley, Leon Russell, Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, Dickey Betts (from the Alman Brothers), Smoking Joe Kubeck and Bnois King, Devon Alman from Honey Tribe, and has also appeared on FOX 8 Morning Show. Starting at the age of fourteen he was, playing gigs in and around New York City, culminating in a sold out performance at "The Limelight" when he was only eighteen. His first record deal came at the age of nineteen when he signed to Amethyst Records, Columbia, SC. Since then, he has produced and recorded two CD's and a single, as well as being featured on Esquire Record's "The Best Of Cleveland Blues" compilation. At the age of twenty he was contacted by Tyco Toys to play on a commercial promotion.

He currently holds an AAS in Jazz Commercial Music from Five Town College, Long Island, NY and a BA in Music Performance from Cleveland State University as well as recently completed a Masters in Music from Cleveland State University under Bob Frasier. He has been teaching guitar to the masses since 1988. If you are looking for an experience in acoustic/electric Blues or Jazz he can help you achieve your dream.

Timothy Lane

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Timothy Lane has enjoyed the art of drumming since 1986 . Early studies with local legend Harry Damas, then later during college years with Bob Mckee, Greg Bandy. Advanced studies with Mike Clark of the Headhunters. Clinics and studies with Eric Patton ( Columbus University) , Dave Weckyl, Terry Bozzio, Jack DeJohnette. Tim has also played with the Platters, Mickey Hart, Airto Moriera, Giovanni Hidalgo, and many more. Touring in 2001 opening for Brian Wilson & Paul Simon ( with Michael Jantz Band )

Timothy currently plays around local regions with artists including Tracy Marie (Singer Songwriter), Fester Presley (Delta Blues/ Cajun), Sultans of Bing (Jam Band), Whiskey Island Ramblers (Celtic/Irish), Kynde Sirs (Medieval Music), Cheryl Ann Hawk (Singer Songwriter) & The Revolution Brass Band, just to name a few.

Teaching since 1999. Concepts in reading, listening, and watching. Rock, Latin, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Rhumba, etc. Providing two drumsets at the studio teacher and student watch and learn very well. Timothy has also been collecting vinyl records for years, contributing to his vast knowledge of music history.

Chris Scott

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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".

Bryan Kennard

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Bryan Kennard, a Cleveland native, grew up with a diverse musical background. Listening to bluegrass, folk, classical, and jazz, he gradually developed an appreciation for all genres of music. He began to study piano in elementary school, but soon gained an interest in the flute. In high school, he began to study flute and apply what he learned in classical and bluegrass settings. At this time, his interest in jazz and composition began to emerge.

An active performer and recitalist, Bryan performs and teaches extensively throughout the Northern Ohio area. Currently, he is the Instructor of Flute and Jazz Improvisation at Hiram College, where he coaches a student flute ensemble. He has played on programs for the Cleveland Composers Guild, regular solo recitals, and several concerts with the Greater Cleveland Flute Society, of which he is a board member. Bryan has also performed and recorded with the Cleveland based bluegrass group, Brand New Hat. In August 2009, he performed at the NFA Convention in New York City as a winner of the Jazz Flute Big Band Competition. At this convention, he was selected as an alternate for the Jazz Flute Masterclass Competition.

In addition to performing, Bryan composes and arranges music in multiple genres. His music is performed regularly at GCFS events, solo recitals, and jazz gigs. In March 2010, the Hiram College jazz ensemble will premiere his first composition for big band.

Bryan attended Mercyhurst College, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education. After graduation, he continued his education at Youngstown State University, receiving his Master of Music in Flute Performance. At YSU, Bryan was employed as the Graduate Assistant in Jazz Studies and regularly performed with and wrote music for jazz combos. His principle flute teachers were Wendy Webb Kumer and Dr. Kathryn Thomas Umble. Additional flute instructors include George Pope, Amy Porter, and Marianne Gedigian. He has studied composition with Dr. Albert Glinsky and Dr. David Morgan, and jazz improvisation with Dr. Morgan, Dr. Scott Meier, Bobby Selvaggio, Ali Ryerson, and Holly Hofmann.

Dave Kasper

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Dave received his Bachelor of Music degree from Cleveland State University. Active on the local music scene, Kasper enjoys performing and teaching in the Greater Cleveland Area. Currently performances can range anywhere from Big Band to Pit Orchestras to Latin Clubs to small groups performing Jazz or Dixieland. With such a wide range of venues the instruments always change, whether it's a saxophone, clarinet or flute. Kasper's passion lies in his original material with a touch of the past and present. He has had the privilege to play with national acts such as The Temptations, Either Orchestra, Al Martino and Tito Puente Jr..

Jessica Oudin

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Jessica Oudin is currently the Acting Principal Violist of the Canton Symphony Orchestra, and has served as the Principal Violist with CityMusic Cleveland for the past three seasons. She is also a frequent substitute musician with The Cleveland Orchestra, and has performed with them on their 2009 European Tour and their 2010 Blossom Music Festival season.

Described as an "eloquent musician" by the San Francisco Classical Voice, Ms. Oudin made her New York debut with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in March of 2007. As a chamber musician, she has collaborated with members of The Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Peabody Trio, Cleveland and Cavani String Quartets, and has made several appearances in Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall with renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. In 2008, Ms. Oudin appeared again with Mr. Perlman in critically acclaimed concerts at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. As violist of the Kashii String Quartet, she has worked closely with members of the Emerson and Takacs Quartets, and has received top prizes in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the Chamber Music Yellow Springs Annual Competition, the Darius Milhaud Performance Prize Competition, and the Louis E. Emsheimer Memorial Music Competition. With the Kashii String Quartet, Ms. Oudin recorded Aaron Jay Kernis' "100 Greatest Dance Hits" along with guitarist David Tanenbaum for the Black Box record label, and in 2005 served on the chamber music faculty for the Innsbrook Music Institute. She additionally served on the faculty for the Yellow Barn Music School Young Artist Program in 2008.

As a soloist, Ms. Oudin has performed in Houston's Wortham Theater, the University of Houston's Moores Opera House, The Cleveland Institute of Music's Kulas Hall, The Juilliard School's Morse and Paul Recital Halls, and New York's Neue Galerie. In December of 2009, Ms. Oudin appeared as soloist with CityMusic Cleveland in performances of MozartŐs Sinfonia Concertante throughout northeastern Ohio, and she will appear as a featured soloist with the Canton Symphony in January 2011. Ms. Oudin has performed in masterclasses for artists such as Kim Kashkashian, Thomas Riebl, Barbara Westphal, Roger Tapping, Atar Arad, and Roland Vamos. Honors include The Horace and Marie Arnold Prize in Viola Performance (CIM), Alumni Association Artistic Achievement Award for four consecutive years (CIM), The Darius Milhaud Award (CIM), First Place in the Musicfest Scholarship Competition, and top prizes at the Corpus Christi International Young Artists' Competition. Ms. Oudin also appeared regularly with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and has performed with the Houston Symphony. Festival appearances include The International Musicians' Seminar at Prussia Cove, The Sarasota Music Festival, Yellow Barn, Music@Menlo, The Perlman Chamber Music Program, and The Aspen Music Festival.

Ms. Oudin graduated with high honors from The Cleveland Institute of Music, where she was a student of Jeffrey Irvine, holds a Masters degree from The Juilliard School, where she was a teaching assistant to Heidi Castleman and Misha Amory. Further studies were undertaken at CIM as a student in the Professional Studies Program under the tutelage of Robert Vernon. Jessica resides in Cleveland with her husband, pianist Alexander Wasserman.

Erica Snowden

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Erica Snowden is Venezuelan-American cellist from Buffalo, New York. She has been studying, performing, and teaching cello in the Cleveland area since 2005. In January 2010, Miss Snowden received a Bachelor's degree in music performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She is currently working on a Master's degree in performance and Suzuki pedagogy from the Institute. In addition to being a faculty member at Vance Music Studios, Erica also coaches chamber music at Cleveland Heights High School and is a substitute teacher at the Sato Center for Suzuki Studies. Erica is also an active performer in Cleveland and Canton. She currently plays in a string quartet, has been a member of the Canton Symphony Orchestra since 2007, was invited to join the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra in 2009, and most recently was principal cellist of Opera Circle's production of Csardas Princess in February 2010. Miss Snowden has also participated and placed in several competitions including Sphinx Competition, Silverman Scholarship Competition, and Buffalo Philharmonic Scholarship Competition. Erica believes in the importance of bringing music back to the community and has done numerous outreach performances at such venues as the Cleveland Clinic, the Hope Lodge for recovering cancer patients, the Cleveland School for the Arts, and the Ronald McDonald House.

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