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Music Makers Teacher Bios

Piano

Katie Falcon: (Piano, Vocal and String Bass)

Katie Falcon is a voice and piano teacher at Music Makers Studios. She has been teaching there since the summer of 2003. Katie attended Bowling Green State University and graduated from the college of Musical Arts in 2003 with a bachelors of music performance with honors. While in school she performed in many of the operas and theater performances. Some of her more notable roles were Cherubino in “The Marriage of Figaro”, Mrs. Page in, “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and Annie in, “The Story of Susana”. Katie is also an active singer in the community. She sings at local churches and will be performing with the all girl jazz group, Chica. Katie also teaches Kids on Keys (ages 4 -6), Music Around the World (ages 4 - 7) and Musical Theater Chamber Group (ages 13 -18) at Music Makers.

Marsha De Brabant: (Piano; Traditional and Suzuki)

Acclaimed soloist and chamber musician. (“…lively and stylish playing.” The Washington Post). 1st Prize winner, Montpelier Recital Competition. Early studies with her mother, Florence Tumis. Major teachers: Rosalyn Tureck, Fernando Valenti, Sylvia Marlowe. Attended Peabody Conservatory and Mannes College of Music (Scholarship for Advanced Study, Harpsichord Music Society of New York). Graduate, the Hawthorne School and George Washington University.

15 years experience teaching piano (traditional and Suzuki, all styles) to students ranging in age from three to adult, beginner to advanced. Certified by and a member of the Suzuki Association of America, also a member of the National Music Teachers Association. Completed Suzuki books 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4 and 5 with Mary Craig Powell at Capital University and with Doris Harrell at Lake Forest College. Goal is to create a warm and supportive atmosphere attuned to the individual needs of each student. Many studies have shown that music lessons, particularly in piano, can significantly aid in cognitive development and that the skills learned at the piano, including sharpened concentration, translate into higher performance academically.

Miachell Smith: (Piano)

· Graduate of Central High School, Cincinnati, Ohio
· Studied Music 10 Years with Prof. Frank Mahler, Saint Francis of Assissi
· Managed her own piano studio for 5 ½ years in Knoxville, TN
· Pianist for 9 ½ years at Valley Dale Baptist in Alabama
· Teaches all styles of piano - classical, jazz, pop, contemporary Christian
· Taught at Keyboard Plus for 5 ½ years in Florida
· Currently serving as pianist and music minister for United Methodist in Latonia

Yana Weinstein: (Piano and Vocal)

· Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Ohio State University
· Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (Magna Cum Laude)
Northern Kentucky University
· Diploma in Music Ed. Choral Conducting Emphasis
Simferopol State College of Music, Simferopol Ukraine
· Adjunct Voice Instructor Kenyon College, Department of Music
· Extensive Teaching Experience of Piano and Voice in Ohio and Kentucky
· Guest Vocal Soloist with Kremlin Orchestra, & Taft Museum Series

Marge Williams: (Piano)

Marge has performed on various programs; such as Coco the Clown,
and Church By The Side of the Road. Marge has been a church pianist, organist, and a choir director for more than 40 years.

* Studied music at Cincinnati Bible College
* Studied piano for 8 years at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
* Bachelor of Science in Music Education from University of Cincinnati
* Marge has played professionally in clubs and studios for over 50 years

Guitar

Ric Hopkins: (Guitar and Keyboard)

Ryan Haller: (Guitar)

Rick Kinman: (Guitar)

· Rick Kinman is starting his 4th year as a guitar instructor.
· Rick began his music career at the age of ten playing guitar and piano. Picking it up mostly by ear and with the help his older brothers and his uncle Rick Kinman.
· Rick chose to further his music education and study Classical guitar at Northern Kentucky University under Bob Mercer.
· Shortly thereafter, Rick began his banjo studies under Josh Smith and Jeff Roberts.
· Currently, Rick continues his guitar education with local guitar legend and Friend, Scotty Anderson.
· Rick is the lead guitarist for the local country band Kentucky Myle performing across the tri-state.
· You may also find him performing solo acoustic acts in the greater Cincinnati area.

Chris Madine: (Guitar)

· Chris Madine have been working the clubs and studios in Cincinnati, playing Guitar, as part of many projects and collaborations throughout the years.
· His resume includes commercial music production, independent film Soundtracks and many appearances on independently released albums.
· Current projects include 4-Track All Stars (Original Hop-Hop/Jazz- new album on the way), Soul Progression (Cincinnati’s Premier Funk/R&B/Dance band), Kaan Shuz (Reggae – Roots), The Roasters (Country/Rock), The Mudslingers (Jazz/Acoustic/Bluegrass quartet)
· In addition to his work as a guitar player, Chris works in Recording/production with New Fidelity Studios, specializing in
audio/video production.
· Chris has over 5 years of experience teaching guitar lessons and general Music, and had been with Music Makers since August 2004.

Aaron Mahoney: (Guitar)

Aaron Mahoney has been involved with the music community for 17 years. Wearing many hats such as performer, writer, arranger, music director, producer and studio engineer, odds are you have seen or know some one who has seen Aaron at what he does best.

Often playing seven days a week Aaron brings all of those experiences into the classroom at Music Makers.

Aaron currently plays in a band named lo-fi and has toured the country with Freekbass who is produced by famed Bootsy Collins. He has also worked with several major acts such as U2, Kid Rock, The Verve Pipe, Ashanti, Parliament Funkadelic, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Tonic. And on a local level has worked with: Monday's Child, Two Turntables & a Saxophone, Seven Spaulding, Big Whisky, The Venus Mission, Patrick Martin & Josh Edmondson of Oval Opus, Mike Georgin to name a few.

Seven days a week also means that Aaron does plenty of church services, or as he says "Jammin' for the Lamb". Aaron also works at Bishop Brossart High School. Again, working in that setting helps his approach at Music Makers.

Places of employment include:

The Echo Lab

Waycross Studio

Bishop Brossart High School

Horizon Community Church

lo-fi

Music Makers

Future CD's being worked on:

Simon's Chalk

Lee Roessler Band

Sean Plummer: (Guitar)

· Sean has been teaching guitar for Music Makers for over two years and has been actively playing music since the age of 12.
· While in high school and college he played saxophone for marching/concert band as well as participated in pep band at Xavier University, where he also studied classical guitar under Robert Mercer.
· Currently Sean plays guitar in the band "Twice Tonight" and can been seen at local establishments throughout the tri-state area.

Drums and Percussion

Jake Brandyberry: (Drums and Percussion)

Stan Ginn: (Drums and Percussion)

Mike Georgin: (Electric and Upright Bass)

Mike Georgin studied Jazz Bass Guitar at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and has been a mainstay in the Cincinnati music scene for over fifteen years. Having played and toured extensively in America and Europe with such bands as Pay The Girl, Monk, Over The Rhine, Plow On Boy, and the avant-garde jazz ensemble Slant, he has helped to garner 5 CEA (Cincinnati Entertainment and Arts) Awards out of 8 nominations. With these bands, he has shared the stage with Matthew Sweet, Joan Baez, The Wallflowers, Emmy Lou Harris, The Barenaked Ladies, Michael Hedges, Stanley Jordan, Jeff Buckley, Peter Frampton, Tony Levin and many other great artists. Mike also regularly performs solo bass shows.
Inspired by bass-greats like Stanley Clarke, Michael Manring, Victor Wooten, and the late Jaco Pastorius, Mike contributes to the spirit of their legacy by bringing the bass guitar to the forefront of our current musical genre.
Mike's debut release, 'The Line Between' showcases his unique voice and vision. The songs challenge the boundaries usually associated with bass instruments. Most of the melodies and all of the solos are improvised, weaving a complex tapestry and creating a rich atmospheric world in the mind of the listener.
In addition to playing in several bands (check the gigs link), Mike also teaches bass guitar lessons in Cincinnati, Ohio and Florence, Kentucky. If you'd like more info on bass lessons, please drop Mike an email.

Banjo:

Josh Smith

Brass:

Bill Gemmer: (Trombone, Trumpet and Baritone)

Bill Gemmer is one the most sought after trombonists in the Midwest.  Noted for his superb range, tone, versatility, and his ability to play to an audience, Bill has earned the respect of both fellow musicians and music patrons.  “Plays Well With Others” is on his list of attributes.  His leadership qualities have developed through the years; no show musicians, out-of-tune pianos, countless requests for “Rocky Top”, stressed-out mothers of brides, have all seasoned Bill into the showman he is today.  Bill is as much at ease speaking into the microphone as he is playing into it.  He has produced several educational concerts on Ellington, Armstrong, and other historic artists of the jazz venue.  His knowledge is worth sharing.

Bill graduated from Newport High School in 1964. He studied with Tony Chipburn of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and later with Bruce Nelson at the University of Kentucky.  Bill’s career was also part of his education. From 1966 to 1969, Bill did his tour of duty in the United States Army.  He later attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston.  Starting in 1971, Bill toured first with Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra then with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.  In 1975 he became a member of the South German Radio Orchestra in Stuttgart, Germany. He later became a member of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the inspiring leadership of Buddy Morrow.  One more year on the road, or river, actually, put Bill on the Steamboat, “Mississippi Queen” as one of the “Riverboat Ramblers.”

>Bill settled back home in 1980 where he became one of the charter members of the New Blue Wisp Band and adjunct Jazz Trombone instructor at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. When the Dee Felice Café’ opened in Covington, KY in 1984, Bill became its musical director.  Always freelancing in the Greater Cincinnati area, he was a regular “sub” on the popular local television program “The Bob Braun Show” and played on several recording with fellow local musicians.  He is currently the low brass instructor at Music Makers of Willis Music in Florence, KY.

Woodwinds:

Danielle Hundley: (Flute, Recorder and Piccolo)
Danielle Hundley believes that flute lessons should develop each student as total musician. In addition to the important fundamentals of flute playing, Danielle emphasizes composing, chamber music participation and music appreciation in her studio. Ms. Hundley works hard to develop a learning plan, adapted to meet the needs of each student as an individual. She creates a nurturing environment, with the right balance of challenge and encouragement for beginning students (youth and adult) through advanced, pre-conservatory flutists.
Danielle is a conservatory-trained flutist with both a bachelor and masters degree in flute performance and over 10 years of teaching and coaching experience. Working as a freelance musician in Boston for the past five years, Danielle has a wide variety of performing experience, including orchestral and solo performances, masterclasses with world-renowned flutists and chamber music concerts. As a student at the Longy School in Cambridge, she worked with talented young artists from all over the world. This diverse experience enables her to relate to a wide variety of students and has sharpened her ability to adapt important musical concepts to any learning style. Danielle’s students have won coveted positions in youth symphonies and chamber ensembles and have received superior ratings at state and local competitions.
Ms. Hundley believes that she benefited from many fine teachers, including Robert Willoughby and Katherine Borst Jones. It is her desire to pass down the rich, musical heritage that she has gained from working with these fine flutists and pedagogues to her own generation of students.
Danielle is a member of the National Flute Association and participates in annual conventions and various projects throughout the year. She is also a member of the Central Ohio Flute Association and Chamber Music America. Before relocating to Cincinnati, Danielle was on the faculty of the Performing Arts School of Worcester, Creative Arts Inc., and Notre Dame Academy, and taught chamber music at Longy School of Music prep department.

Joe Lukasik: (Clarinet)


Joe is well known to most of our audiences for his dazzling clarinet wizardry and good-humour, both on and off the stage. Originally from Brooklyn, this self-taught musician has been a featured performer with many prestigious jazz groups at festivals, clinics and concerts both nationally and internationally. Joe spent nine years performing with Horace Henderson (Fletcher's brother), and appeared at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival in 1991. A remarkable teacher, Joe continues to coach clarinetists and students of jazz at all levels of development, and he is the author of a handbook on the art of improvisation, entitled "Almost Making Music." In recent years, Joe has made regular appearances at Cincinnati's Blue Wisp Jazz Club and has recorded for several local labels. He and his wife Sally joined the Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band in 1996. They enjoy spending time together with their dog Amos, who is learning to play the washboard.

Steven Mutter: (Saxophone)

Strings:

Katie Falcon: (Upright Double Bass)

Daren Fuster: ( Violin and Viola )

Daren holds both a Master of Music Degree from the
College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati and a
Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music,
University of Rochester, NY.  He studied viola performance under Masao Kawasaki, from CCM & Julliard, and with Martha Katz, from the Eastman School of Music and formerly of the Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Institute of Music.

Daren Fuster is a section viola member of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Charleston, WV, an associate member of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus, OH, and is a substitute Violist for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera Orchestra. Daren is also the Principal Violist for the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra.  Every two years Daren performs in the Festival Musical de Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with Philip Entremont, music director.  In the past Daren has performed with the Grand Teton Music Festival as a section viola member under the direction of Eiji Oue Stewart, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Daren has performed and contracted for KD Lang, Rod Stewart, Mannheim Steamroller, YES, Don Henley and others.  He has been a soloist at the Heidelberg Schlossfestspiel in Heidelberg, Germany and a concerto soloist and principal violist with the Opera Theater of Lucca Orchestra, Italy.  Daren has been teaching privately for 12 years and has students who perform in the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Symphony, Northern Kentucky Youth Symphony among others.

Daren currently resides in Cincinnati, OH and is the CEO of Pro Art Music,

Vocals:

Katie Falcon: (Vocals)

Katie Falcon is a voice and piano teacher at Music Makers Studios. She has been teaching there since the summer of 2003. Katie attended Bowling Green State University and graduated from the college of Musical Arts in 2003 with a bachelors of music performance with honors. While in school she performed in many of the operas and theater performances. Some of her more notable roles were Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, Mrs. Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Annie in The Story of Susana. Katie is also an active singer in the community. She sings at local churches and will be performing with the all girl jazz group, Chica. Katie also teaches Kids on Keys (ages 4 -6), Music Around the World (ages 4 - 7) and Musical Theater Chamber Group (ages 13 -18) at Music Makers.

Yana Weinstein: (Vocal and Piano)


· Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Ohio State University
· Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (Magna Cum Laude)
Northern Kentucky University
· Diploma in Music Ed. Choral Conducting Emphasis
Simferopol State College of Music, Simferopol Ukraine
· Adjunct Voice Instructor Kenyon College, Department of Music
· Extensive Teaching Experience of Piano and Voice in Ohio and Kentucky
· Guest Vocal Soloist with Kremlin Orchestra, & Taft Museum Series

Tammy Rowland: (Vocals)


· Masters Degree in Vocal Pedagogy and Literature from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.
· Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Union University, Jackson, Tennessee.
· Tammy has 8 years of teaching experience at all levels from Middle School to Collegiate in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Area.
· Tammy has performed with the Jackson Theater Guild, Fort Worth Opera Chorus, and Dallas Baptist University Chorus.
· When not singing, Tammy enjoys scrapbooking/celebrating memories, reading, and spending time with family.