Co-Owner Kristin Agee - Drum Set, Percussion, Piano
Kristin Agee is a drummer, percussionist, composer and music educator. She grew up in a musical family, and started performing with her parents folk rock cover band at the age of 12. Since then, Kristin has studied and performed many styles of music on a wide variety of percussion instruments, and enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with her students and Anderson Music Workshop, which she co-founded with partner Jeremy Singer in 2012.
Kristin holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Music degree from Ohio University, where she studied percussion performance. Her years of teaching experience include instruction on percussion and piano in private lessons, master classes, summer camps, early childhood music instruction and marching band drum line and pit instruction. She held the position of Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Ohio University during the 2012 school year.
Kristin stays very active as a free-lance artist, and has performed in a wide range of musical settings, including:
Regional Orchestras:
Kentuckky Symphony Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Huntington Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Ohio Valley Symphony, Seven Hills Sinfonietta, and Butler Philharmonic.
Musical Theater:
Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park, The Incline Theater, and The Know Theater.
Original and Cover bands: Current original projects Us, Today (experimental rock trio) and The Lovers (folk rock band), and too many cover bands to mention.
Us, Today, featureing Kristin on vibraphone, keyboard and other percussive and electronic sounds, has released 3 albums to date, and anticipates their 4th album in the summer of 2018. Us, Today has been featured several times in our local Citybeat Magazine and on WVXU's Local Exposure, as well as national publications including The Wall Street Journal. With this group she has toured extensively through the midwest including performances at Midpoint Music Festival, Secret Stages Music Festival and SXSW and sharing the stage with artists such as Sylvan Esso, Kishi Bashi, Deer Hoof and Ghost-Note. in 2015 the group won a Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Best Indie Rock Band.
The Lovers features Kristin on drum set, hand percussion and backing vocals. Their first full length album "The Lovers" was released in 2017, and their anticipated second album will be released in fall 2018.
Kristin can also be heard on albums by Puppies (Indie Rock), You Bred Raptors (Experimental Rock), Terry Lynn Weaver (Country), and Jimmelegs (Local Rock Band). In 2017, Kristin’s percussion playing made it’s way onto Jesse James Decker’s hit single Girl on the Coast which hit #1 on the iTunes country charts and #5 on the Bilboard Country Albums Chart.
Kristin endorses Vic Firth sicks and mallets, and is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team.
For information about lessons with Kristin, and to view Kristin's teaching policies and schedule, please visit www.kristinagee.com
Testimonials:
"Richard loves his bell songs. He said "Leave it to (Kristin) to make bells fun! I didn't know that it was possible and yet I can't wait to start practicing." He has been practicing a lot and there are times I have to stop him because he is practicing after we put his sister to bed! - Melissa Jouett
"Ryan LOVES your lessons! He comes home all excited about the drums, and he raves about the CDs and music you share with him. As a mother, I am tickled to see my child learning to read and play music. Thank You!" --Amy Davis
Kristin holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Music degree from Ohio University, where she studied percussion performance. Her years of teaching experience include instruction on percussion and piano in private lessons, master classes, summer camps, early childhood music instruction and marching band drum line and pit instruction. She held the position of Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Ohio University during the 2012 school year.
Kristin stays very active as a free-lance artist, and has performed in a wide range of musical settings, including:
Regional Orchestras:
Kentuckky Symphony Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Huntington Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Ohio Valley Symphony, Seven Hills Sinfonietta, and Butler Philharmonic.
Musical Theater:
Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park, The Incline Theater, and The Know Theater.
Original and Cover bands: Current original projects Us, Today (experimental rock trio) and The Lovers (folk rock band), and too many cover bands to mention.
Us, Today, featureing Kristin on vibraphone, keyboard and other percussive and electronic sounds, has released 3 albums to date, and anticipates their 4th album in the summer of 2018. Us, Today has been featured several times in our local Citybeat Magazine and on WVXU's Local Exposure, as well as national publications including The Wall Street Journal. With this group she has toured extensively through the midwest including performances at Midpoint Music Festival, Secret Stages Music Festival and SXSW and sharing the stage with artists such as Sylvan Esso, Kishi Bashi, Deer Hoof and Ghost-Note. in 2015 the group won a Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Best Indie Rock Band.
The Lovers features Kristin on drum set, hand percussion and backing vocals. Their first full length album "The Lovers" was released in 2017, and their anticipated second album will be released in fall 2018.
Kristin can also be heard on albums by Puppies (Indie Rock), You Bred Raptors (Experimental Rock), Terry Lynn Weaver (Country), and Jimmelegs (Local Rock Band). In 2017, Kristin’s percussion playing made it’s way onto Jesse James Decker’s hit single Girl on the Coast which hit #1 on the iTunes country charts and #5 on the Bilboard Country Albums Chart.
Kristin endorses Vic Firth sicks and mallets, and is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team.
For information about lessons with Kristin, and to view Kristin's teaching policies and schedule, please visit www.kristinagee.com
Testimonials:
"Richard loves his bell songs. He said "Leave it to (Kristin) to make bells fun! I didn't know that it was possible and yet I can't wait to start practicing." He has been practicing a lot and there are times I have to stop him because he is practicing after we put his sister to bed! - Melissa Jouett
"Ryan LOVES your lessons! He comes home all excited about the drums, and he raves about the CDs and music you share with him. As a mother, I am tickled to see my child learning to read and play music. Thank You!" --Amy Davis
Co-Owner Jeremy Singer - Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Beginner Piano
Jeremy Singer has been performing music in the Cincinnati area since age 16, and studying music nearly all of his life. There actually are home movies of infant Jeremy groovin' to The Beatles in the middle of the living room carpet.
At age 8, Jeremy began piano lessons with some reluctance. His father explained to him that if he first learned the fundamentals of music on piano he would be better prepared to play any instrument. At age 12, Jeremy discovered the guitar. He first learned folk and blues styles. These were closely followed by the classic rock of the 60's and 70's.
Jeremy began high school at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts where he studied classical guitar and music theory. He played guitar with the school's jazz band, music theater band, and for a number of other productions before graduating in 1993. At age 16, Jeremy joined an original rock band with some older friends and began playing in local and regional clubs and bars. This would be the first of many such groups which resulted in a smattering of self releases and many fond memories.
After spending two years at University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music, Jeremy decided to turn his focus on learning the recording arts. In 1998, he attended The Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, OH. After completing the course, Jeremy was given a position as a paid intern at the school and was allowed to study and teach for an additional four months. He left Chillicothe with a renewed appreciation for music as well as a strong understanding of how records past and present are made.
Jeremy has been writing and recording his own music for the past fifteen years and has learned to play bass, banjo, lap steel, dulcimer, ukulele, and mandolin along the way. But the guitar has remained his true love. In Spring of 2006 he began giving private lessons to a friend and quickly realized that teaching offered yet another fulfilling way to enjoy music. Since then Jeremy has been sharing his knowledge with contagious enthusiasm. He has taught beginner to intermediate levels from age 6 to age 60. Jeremy is committed to exciting his students about music and inspiring them to play. He does this by teaching the fundamentals through each individual's favorite style of music.
Testimonials:
"We have nothing but good things to say...Both my husband and I feel you truly have a gift- both with your guitar and your abilities with children. We are blown away by Jacob's progress, and truly appreciate your skills and patience. He absolutely loves that you give him popular songs to work on- and he feels like a star after each lesson. We feel very lucky to have found you as his guitar teacher." --Jennifer Boldman
"Jeremy Singer is a really cool guy. What I like about taking lessons with him is that he helps me learn my guitar better and he has really fun ways to do that. He challenges me to play harder songs and helps me learn something if I don't understand it. He picks out the kind of music that I like and also gives me examples of music that I haven't heard before. I like his laid back style of teaching." --Kevin Geohagen
At age 8, Jeremy began piano lessons with some reluctance. His father explained to him that if he first learned the fundamentals of music on piano he would be better prepared to play any instrument. At age 12, Jeremy discovered the guitar. He first learned folk and blues styles. These were closely followed by the classic rock of the 60's and 70's.
Jeremy began high school at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts where he studied classical guitar and music theory. He played guitar with the school's jazz band, music theater band, and for a number of other productions before graduating in 1993. At age 16, Jeremy joined an original rock band with some older friends and began playing in local and regional clubs and bars. This would be the first of many such groups which resulted in a smattering of self releases and many fond memories.
After spending two years at University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music, Jeremy decided to turn his focus on learning the recording arts. In 1998, he attended The Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, OH. After completing the course, Jeremy was given a position as a paid intern at the school and was allowed to study and teach for an additional four months. He left Chillicothe with a renewed appreciation for music as well as a strong understanding of how records past and present are made.
Jeremy has been writing and recording his own music for the past fifteen years and has learned to play bass, banjo, lap steel, dulcimer, ukulele, and mandolin along the way. But the guitar has remained his true love. In Spring of 2006 he began giving private lessons to a friend and quickly realized that teaching offered yet another fulfilling way to enjoy music. Since then Jeremy has been sharing his knowledge with contagious enthusiasm. He has taught beginner to intermediate levels from age 6 to age 60. Jeremy is committed to exciting his students about music and inspiring them to play. He does this by teaching the fundamentals through each individual's favorite style of music.
Testimonials:
"We have nothing but good things to say...Both my husband and I feel you truly have a gift- both with your guitar and your abilities with children. We are blown away by Jacob's progress, and truly appreciate your skills and patience. He absolutely loves that you give him popular songs to work on- and he feels like a star after each lesson. We feel very lucky to have found you as his guitar teacher." --Jennifer Boldman
"Jeremy Singer is a really cool guy. What I like about taking lessons with him is that he helps me learn my guitar better and he has really fun ways to do that. He challenges me to play harder songs and helps me learn something if I don't understand it. He picks out the kind of music that I like and also gives me examples of music that I haven't heard before. I like his laid back style of teaching." --Kevin Geohagen
Ahdda Shur - Voice
For the past 25 years, Ahdda has taught and empowered children, teens and adults to sing with beauty, skill and ease. In her inspiring lessons, students learn what songs are best suited for their vocal talent, how to learn music effectively and performance skills for the stage. Ahdda teaches classical and non-classical voice. She also has many years of experience helping singer and speakers recover from vocal strain or injury. She holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Opera and Opera Stage Direction from the Indiana University School of Music. At IU, she was a voice student of famed Rumanian/Italian soprano and Bel Canto specialist, Virginia Zeani.
As a featured opera soloist, Ahdda has performed in America, Europe, and the Middle East in repertoire spanning opera, musical theater, sacred music and world music. For over ten years as Zurich oper, Switzerland, New Israeli Opera, Tel Aviv, Long Beach Opera, CA, Cincinnati Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin/San Antonio Festival, Strasbourg Music Festival, France, and more.
Her powerfully effective holistic system of voice training: VOGA Voice Yoga for peak performance, she combines elements of vocal therapy and mind/body disciplines with the authentic Italian Bel Canto traditions. These are authentic methods that for 350 plus years created singers who could sing with flexible, secure and reliable method. You can read more about her book, Sopranos are not pianos _ How Vocal Magic Happens for Women Singers (available on Amazon).
In July 2017, Ahdda relocated to beautiful Cincinnati, Ohio from Los Angeles, CA where for the past 15 years she taught voice privately working with beginners to professionals. Previous to that time, she taught voice as adjunct voice professor at the New World School of the Arts, Miami, High School and College Division, Barry University, Miami, and on the voice faculty of the Levinksy College of Education, Tel Aviv.
For more info and testimonials see: www.shurvoice.com.
As a featured opera soloist, Ahdda has performed in America, Europe, and the Middle East in repertoire spanning opera, musical theater, sacred music and world music. For over ten years as Zurich oper, Switzerland, New Israeli Opera, Tel Aviv, Long Beach Opera, CA, Cincinnati Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin/San Antonio Festival, Strasbourg Music Festival, France, and more.
Her powerfully effective holistic system of voice training: VOGA Voice Yoga for peak performance, she combines elements of vocal therapy and mind/body disciplines with the authentic Italian Bel Canto traditions. These are authentic methods that for 350 plus years created singers who could sing with flexible, secure and reliable method. You can read more about her book, Sopranos are not pianos _ How Vocal Magic Happens for Women Singers (available on Amazon).
In July 2017, Ahdda relocated to beautiful Cincinnati, Ohio from Los Angeles, CA where for the past 15 years she taught voice privately working with beginners to professionals. Previous to that time, she taught voice as adjunct voice professor at the New World School of the Arts, Miami, High School and College Division, Barry University, Miami, and on the voice faculty of the Levinksy College of Education, Tel Aviv.
For more info and testimonials see: www.shurvoice.com.
Taylor Baye Brown McNally - Voice, Beginner Piano, Recorder
Taylor is a proud graduate of Xavier University, where she received a degree in Music Education and a second degree in Music Performance. During her time there, she sang soprano in the Xavier University Concert Choir, the Edgecliff Vocal Ensemble, the Xavier University Women’s Chorus, and the A CaBellas (an all female a cappella group). She has traveled with choruses to numerous U.S. cities, Italy, Spain, and Austria. She was also selected as the winner of the 2011 Cincinnati’s Got Talent competition as the vocalist in a harp and voice duo. She enjoys singing a wide variety of music from classical to jazz and still participates in community choruses in the Cincinnati area throughout the year.
Taylor’s true passion lies in teaching music. She believes all children can be life-long lovers and learners of music. She is a level 1 certified Orff-Schulwerk teacher and currently teaches general music to grades 1 through 6 in the Deer Park Community City School District. Taylor also co-teaches a Fine Arts Summer Camp in Bethel, Ohio for elementary students and directs a small choir at The Church of the Advent in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati.
Taylor’s true passion lies in teaching music. She believes all children can be life-long lovers and learners of music. She is a level 1 certified Orff-Schulwerk teacher and currently teaches general music to grades 1 through 6 in the Deer Park Community City School District. Taylor also co-teaches a Fine Arts Summer Camp in Bethel, Ohio for elementary students and directs a small choir at The Church of the Advent in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati.
Teri Alber-Deikfuss - Violin, Viola, and Piano
Teri Abler-Diekfuss, a native of Wisconsin, began her musical studies on the piano at age eight and soon began studying violin and viola thereafter. As a student at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, she began teaching piano lessons at age 16. She did her undergraduate studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI
where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Bachelor of Music for which she designed her own degree curriculum focusing on viola performance and interdisciplinary characteristics of music. While in Wisconsin, she became Suzuki certified in both violin and viola from books 1 to 3 and taught for Appleton’s after school Suzuki club for several years. Teri is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina – Greensboro where she earned a M.M. in viola performance and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in music education. She is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in string pedagogy at The Ohio State University, where she will study with the nationally recognized pedagogue, Dr. Robert Gillespie. Teri is an active orchestral and chamber musician, but she finds teaching the most fulfilling. To her, music is extremely beneficial to people of all ages and walks of life.
where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Bachelor of Music for which she designed her own degree curriculum focusing on viola performance and interdisciplinary characteristics of music. While in Wisconsin, she became Suzuki certified in both violin and viola from books 1 to 3 and taught for Appleton’s after school Suzuki club for several years. Teri is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina – Greensboro where she earned a M.M. in viola performance and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in music education. She is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in string pedagogy at The Ohio State University, where she will study with the nationally recognized pedagogue, Dr. Robert Gillespie. Teri is an active orchestral and chamber musician, but she finds teaching the most fulfilling. To her, music is extremely beneficial to people of all ages and walks of life.
Stephen Wadsack - Brass, Beginner Piano
Born in southwest Texas and raised in northern Wyoming, Stephen M. Wadsack has been traveling, teaching, and performing all his life. A variety of rich culture, diverse life experiences, and a strong personal creed have helped to shape Stephen in his current position as an artist in the fields of music, education, and creative arts with nearly 10 years of private teaching experience.
Stephen's first musical influences arrived in the form of an AM/FM radio and the beat-up turntable in his parents’ living room. From early on, an appreciation for all types of music was encouraged: 1970’s classic rock from his father, gospel music from the church, vocal arias from his mother, the música norteña of his Latin-American neighbors, an older brother’s interest in the classics, and the Folk/Americana soundtrack of a Wyoming childhood. Over the years, Wadsack’s musical tastes and philosophies have grown to reflect the wide variety of experiences through which he has lived.
Earlier this year, Stephen completed a Master's Degree in Trumpet Performance at Cincinnati's own College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). While at CCM, Stephen performed in all top ensembles, was selected to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Brass Area, and received various accolades for his playing--including performing as a Finalist at the 2017 and 2018 National Trumpet Competition. Post-graduation, Stephen is pursuing an active teaching and freelance career in the Cincinnati area.
In addition to his time studying in Cincinnati, Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wyoming, where he successfully taught in a variety of classrooms and private lesson settings. Wadsack was a Finalist in the inaugural Wyoming Symphony concerto competition, and also came in 2nd place for the University of Wyoming’s Dorothy Jacoby Concerto Competition. During his senior year, Wadsack was named as a Presser Scholarby the Presser Foundation during his tenure at UW, in honor of contributions made to the university’s music department.
Stephen has nearly ten years of experience in classroom teaching that include full-time, substitute, contract-based, and private instructor positions in Kentucky, Ohio, and Wyoming public schools. Additionally, Stephen's experience working with collegiate students and an extensive background with marching band have led to appointments as an assistant director, guest clinician, and rehearsal specialist. Outside of classical training, Stephen has also both played and taught piano, rock bands, and students interested in other musical skills such as leadership, conducting, and sound engineering.
Performance Credits (Cincinnati):
-Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
-Grand Avenue Brass (founding member)
Performance Credits (Wyoming):
-Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra
-Wyoming Symphony Orchestra
-Big Horn Big Band
-Candlelight Musical Theatre
-The Bas Mati R&B Funk Orchestra
-Party Art (Hip Hop)
-Grand Avenue Brass (founding member)
Stephen's first musical influences arrived in the form of an AM/FM radio and the beat-up turntable in his parents’ living room. From early on, an appreciation for all types of music was encouraged: 1970’s classic rock from his father, gospel music from the church, vocal arias from his mother, the música norteña of his Latin-American neighbors, an older brother’s interest in the classics, and the Folk/Americana soundtrack of a Wyoming childhood. Over the years, Wadsack’s musical tastes and philosophies have grown to reflect the wide variety of experiences through which he has lived.
Earlier this year, Stephen completed a Master's Degree in Trumpet Performance at Cincinnati's own College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). While at CCM, Stephen performed in all top ensembles, was selected to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Brass Area, and received various accolades for his playing--including performing as a Finalist at the 2017 and 2018 National Trumpet Competition. Post-graduation, Stephen is pursuing an active teaching and freelance career in the Cincinnati area.
In addition to his time studying in Cincinnati, Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wyoming, where he successfully taught in a variety of classrooms and private lesson settings. Wadsack was a Finalist in the inaugural Wyoming Symphony concerto competition, and also came in 2nd place for the University of Wyoming’s Dorothy Jacoby Concerto Competition. During his senior year, Wadsack was named as a Presser Scholarby the Presser Foundation during his tenure at UW, in honor of contributions made to the university’s music department.
Stephen has nearly ten years of experience in classroom teaching that include full-time, substitute, contract-based, and private instructor positions in Kentucky, Ohio, and Wyoming public schools. Additionally, Stephen's experience working with collegiate students and an extensive background with marching band have led to appointments as an assistant director, guest clinician, and rehearsal specialist. Outside of classical training, Stephen has also both played and taught piano, rock bands, and students interested in other musical skills such as leadership, conducting, and sound engineering.
Performance Credits (Cincinnati):
-Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
-Grand Avenue Brass (founding member)
Performance Credits (Wyoming):
-Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra
-Wyoming Symphony Orchestra
-Big Horn Big Band
-Candlelight Musical Theatre
-The Bas Mati R&B Funk Orchestra
-Party Art (Hip Hop)
-Grand Avenue Brass (founding member)
Rick Leighton - Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Dobro, Mandolin, Ukulele
Rick brings over 40 years of teaching experience to The Anderson Music Workshop. His instruments include guitar, bass guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin, and uke. Many of his students have gone on to play in successful local bands as well as national acts like Over the Rhine and Dickey Betts Great Southern. Rick can cover any style of music from The Beatles to Bill Monroe and Bach To BeBop.
Rick has appeared on albums with Peter Frampton, Bootsy Collins, Freakbass, and The Bluebirds among others. Rick currently is the guitar player and musical director for Robin Lacy and DeZydeco. Although he works with other groups such as The Bluebirds and Friends of Lee. In the past Rick has played for Phil Blank and White Heat as well as Only Mortals, Five stories, and his own band Lost Sailors.
"Being diverse has always been my strong point and I try to bring that to my students as well" is just one of Rick's mottos. "I just don’t want them to memorize songs but learn the process as well so the student is playing the music, not just what I have written."
Rick has appeared on albums with Peter Frampton, Bootsy Collins, Freakbass, and The Bluebirds among others. Rick currently is the guitar player and musical director for Robin Lacy and DeZydeco. Although he works with other groups such as The Bluebirds and Friends of Lee. In the past Rick has played for Phil Blank and White Heat as well as Only Mortals, Five stories, and his own band Lost Sailors.
"Being diverse has always been my strong point and I try to bring that to my students as well" is just one of Rick's mottos. "I just don’t want them to memorize songs but learn the process as well so the student is playing the music, not just what I have written."
Grace Lee - Piano (all levels)
Ms. Grace Eunhye Lee began her piano studies at the age of five and has taught piano since 2003. She received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Sookmyung Women's University in South Korea and master's degree at the University of Cincinnati and graduated Performance Diploma at Souther Methodist University. Now, she is pursuing her doctoral degree at University of Cincinnati.
During her undergraduate studies, she won the Mozart Concerto Competition and also performed with the Sookmyung Symphony Orchestra. She was a semi finalist at the international DCS piano competition. In Korea, she owned a private studio and has taught students from 4 to 70 years of age. Ms.Lee was a teaching fellow at SMU through the Piano Preparatory Department and her students received many awards in various competitions. Ms. Lee's previous teaching experience also includes being piano instructor at Park Cities School of Music in Dallas, TX and at Belvoir Terrace, MA from 2016 to 2017. Ms. Lee currently teaches both private lessons and group lessons as a teaching assistant at CCM since 2015.
During her undergraduate studies, she won the Mozart Concerto Competition and also performed with the Sookmyung Symphony Orchestra. She was a semi finalist at the international DCS piano competition. In Korea, she owned a private studio and has taught students from 4 to 70 years of age. Ms.Lee was a teaching fellow at SMU through the Piano Preparatory Department and her students received many awards in various competitions. Ms. Lee's previous teaching experience also includes being piano instructor at Park Cities School of Music in Dallas, TX and at Belvoir Terrace, MA from 2016 to 2017. Ms. Lee currently teaches both private lessons and group lessons as a teaching assistant at CCM since 2015.
Vincent Alexander Hisle - Percussion, Brass and Beginner Piano
Vincent Alexander “Alex” Hisle is an award-winning Percussion Educator/Performer/Recording Artist from the OH/KY/IN tri-state area. Vincent attended Northern Kentucky University School of the Arts as a music education and performance major, earning his B.M. perf. in 2016. Alex's very first lessons teacher was Co-owner of AMW, Kristin Agee. Alex was also fortunate to study with very high caliber teachers such as Dick Jensen, David Fishlock and Patrick Schlecker in the area of Classical percussion (all members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra). He studied drum set with Dan Dorff and Mike Meloy. Scott K. Lang was his primary Percussion Instructor at the NKU School of the Arts.
As a performer, Alex has played drums and percussion in a variety of ensembles spanning many genres including the following:
NKU's Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, Percussion Ensemble, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo 3, Philharmonic Orchestra, and Brass Choir, Kentucky Intercollegiate Percussion Ensemble (2012) / Selected Soloist (2015) CGOTH Gospel Choir
The Henry Fillmore Percussion Ensemble (local professional percussion ensemble)
Star United (Star of Indiana alumni drum and bugle corps) 2014 1st place DCA national title
Lost In Holland (national indie act)
The Scut Farkus Affair (local ska/reggae/rock act)
Sagerman (local ska/punk rock act)
He is also an avid percussion educator and has been teaching percussion since the summer of 2009, having taught over 15 local Cincinnati area drum-lines and front ensembles. Hisle's teaching experience encompasses percussion ensemble, private drum lessons and the marching percussion idiom. Many of Alex's private students have made select bands, earned distinct ratings on solo and ensemble material, marched drum corps, have been finalists, or took first place in various high school level concerto contests.
As a performer, Alex has played drums and percussion in a variety of ensembles spanning many genres including the following:
NKU's Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, Percussion Ensemble, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo 3, Philharmonic Orchestra, and Brass Choir, Kentucky Intercollegiate Percussion Ensemble (2012) / Selected Soloist (2015) CGOTH Gospel Choir
The Henry Fillmore Percussion Ensemble (local professional percussion ensemble)
Star United (Star of Indiana alumni drum and bugle corps) 2014 1st place DCA national title
Lost In Holland (national indie act)
The Scut Farkus Affair (local ska/reggae/rock act)
Sagerman (local ska/punk rock act)
He is also an avid percussion educator and has been teaching percussion since the summer of 2009, having taught over 15 local Cincinnati area drum-lines and front ensembles. Hisle's teaching experience encompasses percussion ensemble, private drum lessons and the marching percussion idiom. Many of Alex's private students have made select bands, earned distinct ratings on solo and ensemble material, marched drum corps, have been finalists, or took first place in various high school level concerto contests.
David Niemeyer - Guitar, French Horn, Trumpet, Beginner Piano
Since returning to school as a music major at Northern Kentucky University, David Niemeyer has sat as the principal chair French horn player in the NKU Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphonic Winds band, and Brass Choir, as well as having played premiers for several pieces composed by colleagues at NKU.
Outside of school, he plays guitar and sings in the Grand Champ String Band, playing bluegrass, American and European folk music, classic rock, early jazz, and even modern pop in an old-style mandolin/guitar/up-bass trio. He has experience performing in rock bands on guitar, bass, and drums; in jazz bands playing trumpet; in brass ensembles playing French horn and trumpet; in marching bands playing trumpet and mellophone; in bars and restaurants playing solo guitar and singing; in vocal choirs as a tenor voice; and in percussion ensembles playing all kinds of different percussion instruments.
David has had his passion and love for music nurtured by other passionate music educators throughout his life and he wants pass that along to the next generation of musicians. His greatest goal in life is to surround himself with the best musicians he can find, and what better way than to help make them!
Outside of school, he plays guitar and sings in the Grand Champ String Band, playing bluegrass, American and European folk music, classic rock, early jazz, and even modern pop in an old-style mandolin/guitar/up-bass trio. He has experience performing in rock bands on guitar, bass, and drums; in jazz bands playing trumpet; in brass ensembles playing French horn and trumpet; in marching bands playing trumpet and mellophone; in bars and restaurants playing solo guitar and singing; in vocal choirs as a tenor voice; and in percussion ensembles playing all kinds of different percussion instruments.
David has had his passion and love for music nurtured by other passionate music educators throughout his life and he wants pass that along to the next generation of musicians. His greatest goal in life is to surround himself with the best musicians he can find, and what better way than to help make them!
Hannah Lee - Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Beginner Piano
Hannah Lee is a freelance clarinetist and educator currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clarinet Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music with concentrations in education and performance from Virginia Tech in May 2017.
She taught her first clarinet student as a junior in high school, and realized her passion for teaching music as she watched her student go from playing his first notes to making the all-district band within the first year. She has since worked with multiple students of different ages and ability levels, and enjoys creating individualized lessons that cater to each student’s needs.
Hannah has been a founding member of three clarinet ensembles, The BATH Quartet, Trio Confiant, and The Blue Ridge Clarinet Collective. In Spring 2016, she traveled to Port of Spain, Trinidad with members of the Virginia Tech Clarinet Studio to collaborate with the clarinet studio at The University of Trinidad and Tobago. She also traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado later that year to participate in the Lift Clarinet Academy where she took part in lessons and masterclasses with Julie DeRoche, Wesley Ferreira, and Jana Starling, and performed in two chamber ensembles. A personal highlight of hers was performing on the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall as a member of the VT Wind Ensemble.
Hannah has studied with Ronald Aufmann of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Phillip Paglialonga, and Thomas Crawford. She has performed in various masterclasses by prominent clarinetists, including Alexander Fiterstein, Michele Gingras, and members of The President’s Own Marine Band.
She taught her first clarinet student as a junior in high school, and realized her passion for teaching music as she watched her student go from playing his first notes to making the all-district band within the first year. She has since worked with multiple students of different ages and ability levels, and enjoys creating individualized lessons that cater to each student’s needs.
Hannah has been a founding member of three clarinet ensembles, The BATH Quartet, Trio Confiant, and The Blue Ridge Clarinet Collective. In Spring 2016, she traveled to Port of Spain, Trinidad with members of the Virginia Tech Clarinet Studio to collaborate with the clarinet studio at The University of Trinidad and Tobago. She also traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado later that year to participate in the Lift Clarinet Academy where she took part in lessons and masterclasses with Julie DeRoche, Wesley Ferreira, and Jana Starling, and performed in two chamber ensembles. A personal highlight of hers was performing on the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall as a member of the VT Wind Ensemble.
Hannah has studied with Ronald Aufmann of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Phillip Paglialonga, and Thomas Crawford. She has performed in various masterclasses by prominent clarinetists, including Alexander Fiterstein, Michele Gingras, and members of The President’s Own Marine Band.
