Faculty
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Disciplines
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MusicErin Bowers
Erin has been playing the cello for seventeen years. She came to Sitar Arts Center in 2006 when she joined the staff as the Director of Social Enterprises and Communications. She teaches cello as a direct way to share the arts with others. She is also interested in being outdoors, yoga, reading, tennis, and cooking. Erin studied cello at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York and currently works at Sitar Arts Center as the Director of Social Enterprises. Cello, Exploring Music, Independent Study: Entrepreneurship Tyrone Browner
Tyrone began volunteering at Sitar Arts Center in September 2009 as a co-teacher for the Music Production class and has been enrolled in classes since 2006. He discovered his love for drumming and music as a snare drum player at Ronald H. Brown Middle School and has now been playing drum set for 16 years. Music Production, Percussion Ensemble Dan Cardile
Dan began playing trumpet at age ten and played sousaphone in the marching band at the College of Notre Dame. He continues to perform several times a year in the Notre Dame alumni marching band. Dan began volunteering at Sitar Arts Center in 2007. Trumpet Jefferson Cole
Jefferson has been playing the double bass for 20 years. In high school, he learned to play electric bass in the school's jazz band. His music studies brought him to the University of Michigan's School of Music, where he received a degree in double bass performance. He began teaching bass at Sitar Arts Center in the spring of 2008, and has since been trying to keep a step ahead of their quick progress. When not teaching bass at Sitar, Jefferson spends his time playing bass with a local orchestra, as well as working on his two other hobbies: photography and cooking. Bass Carley Defranco
Carley is originally from Rochester, New York and currently is a student at American University studying vocal performance. She is a member of the AU Chamber Singers and the larger University Choir and is involved in the school's opera workshop under direction from lyric soprano Linda Allison. She is excited to perform scenes from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” this spring. In high school, Carley studied under Malaina Beattie, a graduate of the Ithaca College of School of Music and currently studies with Jeff Tarr from the Washington National Opera. Carley loves working with the spirited, talented young singers at Sitar and is excited for what lies ahead for her students. Voice Leah Delany
This is Leah's first semester teaching Music Theory at Sitar Arts Center. She has been playing the saxophone since she was seven, though she has dabbled in a variety of other instruments, including flute and piano. Leah credits her interest in music as well as the inspiration to become a volunteer to her wonderful music teachers and her father, who first taught her about the joys of music. Leah is excited to teach as well as learn from the Sitar Arts Center community. Music Theory Molly Finn
Molly has been playing piano since the age of five and has a B.S. in civil engineering from Syracuse University. Piano Joanne Gartenmann
Joanne Gartenmann has studied piano for 16 years. She has a B.A. in music education from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international relations from Columbia University. Musical Theater Workshop Liza Goitein
Liza has a master of music from the Julliard School in oboe performance and a law degree from Yale Law School. Liza has played with the Boston Philharmonic, the New Haven Symphony, the Arlington Philharmonic, and the McLean Orchestra. Oboe Julia Goldstein
Bio Forthcoming Piano Brian Gorman
Brian graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2008 with a B.A. in piano performance, where he studied under Cleveland Page and Roseanne Conway. He has given recitals and performed in the DC area as a featured soloist with Blake High School and in the chamber group Philharmonia at the University of Maryland. He has also taught piano at the Walltown Children’s Theater in Durham, NC. Piano Elizabeth Hochberg
Beth has maintained a private piano studio for seven years. She joined the Sitar Arts Center volunteer faculty in 2005. Beth earned her Master of Music in piano performance and pedagogy from Kansas State University, studying under Virginia Houser and Dennis Wilson. Piano Joseph Hudson
Joe has played piano since age eight and began playing guitar in college. He teaches private lessons and began volunteering at Sitar Arts Center in 2005 because of his love of teaching and excitement to help others become more musical and develop skills that will bring them a lifetime of satisfaction. Piano Derrick Johnson
Derrick Johnson is an active musician in DC’s Different Drummers as drum major, a percussionist, and flute player, and also serves as the intermediate instructor in music theory with Sitar Arts Center. Derrick received his B.A. in Music Education from the University of Florida, where he studied flute with Dr. Kristen Stoner, was head Drum Major of the Gator Band for three years, student taught at all three major school levels, and was very active in the school’s music ensembles. Derrick currently works for the National Association for Gifted Children as their Manager of Meetings and Professional Development. Music Theory Young Sook Joung
Bio Forthcoming Piano James Knuckles
James has been playing the drums for nine years. Through high school, he studied privately with Jack Mouse, Professor of Jazz Studies at North Central College. While attending Bowdoin College, James played drums in a student cover band called J-Board and the Plagiarizers. He began volunteering at Sitar Arts Center in 2008, drawn there by the opportunity to share his enthusiasm for the drums with his students, encourage their excitement and expand their abilities with this instrument. When he’s not playing the drums, James enjoys running and cooking, and exploring this great city. Percussion Chad Konchak
Chad is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and trombonist. He has been writing music since he started in the Music Program as a trombone major at Carnegie Mellon in 2000. In the spring of 2003, at his first live performance, Chad won the Carnegie Mellon Battle of the bands playing by himself against 12 other groups. In 2005 Chad recorded, produced, and mastered his first album. The album was called 'Walking Fancy' and included 10 songs written by Chad Konchak and 3 written by Ryan Gregorius. Chad started at Carnegie Mellon as a Trombone major, but ended up with a minor in Music Technology and BS in Information Systems. Guitar Judie Lieu
Judie has been playing viola since 1982. She began volunteering at Sitar Arts Center in the Summer of 2006 because a friend was on the Board of Directors. She is also interested in running, yoga, roller coasters, and traveling. She earned her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts at Oberlin College and Conservatory. Viola Allison Lince-Bentley
Allison has been playing flute since 6th grade and, although she wanted to quit after the first year, she credits her success and continued love for the flute to a kind and enthusiastic private lesson teacher. She has taken her flute with her on travels all over the world and continues to play in community chamber groups and orchestras. Allison began teaching private lessons at Sitar Arts Center in 2004 and enjoys learning new things every day from her terrific students. Flute, Sewing & Fashion Design Joe Link
Joe is a performer, teacher and percussionist. He appears regularly as freelance drummer in various bands. Joe has been on staff at Sitar Arts Center since its inception and currently serves as the Music Associate. Joe attended the University of the District of Columbia, Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory of Music and The Banff School of Fine Arts. Percussion, The Saints Band, Music Theory Mark Loiacono
Mark has been playing guitar and singing in bands in New York and Washington, DC, for fourteen years. Though he primarily focuses on 6-string, baritone, and bass guitar, Mark also enjoys playing a variety of other stringed instruments, including the banjo and ukulele. He began volunteering at Sitar Arts Center in 2008, teaching private guitar lessons. Mark received his M.A. in art history from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, in 2004, and is currently writing a doctoral dissertation on Andy Warhol’s abstract paintings at that same institution. Guitar Greg Maly
Greg is a native Washingtonian, having grown up in the neighborhood of Mount Pleasant, and has been playing guitar for 14 years, doing live sound and studio work for eight, and touring professionally for the last two. While attending Saint Mary's College of Maryland, he played guitar in the school jazz band and worked to get his band Basshound off the ground. He began volunteering at Sitar Arts Center in 2009 out of a desire to give back to the community that he grew up in and share his love of art and music with local youth. When not at the Sitar Arts Center, he is either on the road with his band or working at the United States Institute of Peace in downtown D.C. on issues related to international peace-building. Guitar Jana Nelhybel
Jana is a lifelong avid amateur violinist. She has played in chamber groups and as a community member of the Georgetown University Orchestra. Jana played in Sitar Arts Center’s pit orchestra for the musical Once Upon A Mattress. She is also a member of the American String Teachers Association. She began teaching violin at the Center in 2000. Violin Michael Nilsson
Mike has been playing saxophone for longer than he would care to admit. For the last ten years, he has performed with dance and variety bands in the Washington, D.C. area, including Bittersweet, Off the Record, and Kaleidoscope. He began teaching at Sitar Arts Center in 2007, and has learned far more from his students than he has taught them. During the day, he works as a regulatory lawyer. Curiously, most people find the saxophone much more interesting. Saxophone Megan Nortrup
Megan has been playing the saxophone for more than twenty years. She began volunteering at Sitar Arts Center in 2007 as a way to give back to her neighborhood. She is also an avid gardener and loves the great outdoors. She earned a B.F.A. in music at the University of Illinois, studying with saxophonists Ron Bridgewater and Debra Richtmeyer. Saxophone Abigail Poyser
Abby has been surrounded by music her entire life. She began studying the piano (Suzuki method) at an early age, and continued with the cello in elementary school. She has played with the Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra and was principal cellist of the DePauw University Symphony. Abby received her clinical doctorate in audiology from Indiana University, and works as a pediatric audiologist at Fairfax Hospital and in Falls Church. When not at work or Sitar, Abby enjoys traveling, cooking and reading. Piano Herbert Scott
Herbert Scott is a 23 year old saxophonist from the Washington D.C. area. As a young student, Herbert participated in various arts programs at Sitar Arts Center, the Levine School of Music, Duke Ellington High School for Performing Arts, and The Washington Jazz Arts Institute. Herbert has also competed scholastically and professionally in the Rose D'Amour Scholarship Competition, received the Laurel Fund Scholarship, and was the Ken and Sandy Beal scholar recipient of second place in the Levine School of Music annual concerto competition. He also received the most outstanding musician award in high school. Herbert has just completed his Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University. Saxophone Ted Serra
Ted has been playing piano for more than a decade. He joined Sitar Arts Center to teach music theory in the winter of 2007 and currently teaches piano. Ted has performed in numerous studio recitals, both in his native Rhode Island and in Boston, where he helped institute an annual university duet concert. He has also served as a student organist at St. Thomas’ Church and for the Church of St. Clare, both in Rhode Island. Ted graduated from Boston College in 2006, where he studied Economics and Music. Piano Samit Shah
Samit is a Risk Management Analyst at Zurich Insurance by day and volunteer Music Theory instructor at Sitar Arts Center by night. He has a Bachelor's degree in Music and Asian Studies from Emory University and a Master's degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He has been playing the bassoon for over 15 years and sitar for five years. Samit enjoys volunteering to help kids learn math and music in the DC area. He also plays in various ensembles through the DC metro area. Music Theory Betsy Small, RYT
Betsy Small taught folk guitar at the Western Pa School for Blind Children during college, and later studied classical guitar and lute with John Marlow at American University. From 1979-1997 she was director and lutenist of the Washington Camerata and currently teaches guitar and lute in her home studio and sings with Collegium Cantorum, a chamber choir specializing in Medieval and Renaissance sacred music. She has BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written and performed folktales with Renaissance and Medieval music for children (as director of Story Minstrels --1992-2005), stories for piano and narrator with her husband, (pianist/composer and Sitar volunteer Haskell Small), and a full-length musical for young audiences, Crystal’s Journey (1990). As a yoga instructor Ms. Small is certified to teach Hatha Yoga, and LifeForce Yoga® for anxiety and depression, and Radiant Child Yoga. Guitar Haskell Small
An accomplished composer and pianist, Haskell Small has concertized worldwide with repertoire as diverse as Bach’s Goldberg Variations and his own Renoir’s Feast. Recently, his Lullaby of War was premiered in New York and Berlin and recorded for Naxos. He is Piano Department chair of the Washington Conservatory of Music and also has a passionate interest in the game of Go! Piano, Go! Rob Smith
Bio Forthcoming Percussion Ensemble, Music Production Ed Spitzberg
Ed studied classical piano for 10 years and studied (well, not quite studied) classical (well, not quite classical - lounge, actually) singing for many years after. You may know him as “Eddie Lounge” from The Eddie Lounge Show. But you’re more likely to know him as the Executive Director of Sitar Arts Center. Ed is grateful to be a part of such a wonderful group of teachers serving Sitar’s students. Piano, Music Theater Workshop Chris Stacey
Chris began playing piano at age seven and has a background in both classical and jazz piano. She has been teaching piano to beginners for six years. Chris also has extensive singing experience and has toured Europe and Asia with singing groups. She continues to take inspiration from and learn alongside her piano students. Piano Jeremy Stembler
Bio Forthcoming Guitar Trisha Taylor
Trisha joined the Sitar Arts Center staff in April 2009 as the Programs Intern. Before moving to the Washington area from Michigan, Trisha taught instrumental music to students in grades 6-12 for two years and spent five summers on the staff of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She is currently working on her MA in arts management at American University. She has a Bachelor of Music Education with minors in instrumental music and business Administration from Central Michigan University. Exploring Music Felicia Weiss
Bio Forthcoming Community Choir Heather Wong Vorhees
Heather began studying violin at age four at the Hartford Conservatory of Music in Connecticut. She continued playing violin, her true love, through college under renowned violinist and violist, Phillip Naegele. Heather also plays in a trio that performs at weddings and benefit events in the DC area. Violin Sylvia Zwi
Bio Forthcoming Early Childhood Music, Opera, Community Choir |
