Music for Infants and Toddlers

 


Bonnie Gease, Music Together ®  / Anne Balto

 

Masters Education, Loyola (Md);  MS, Johns Hopkins University

Mrs.Anne Balto- Master of Arts; George Washington University

Bonnie Gease has been teaching in the Harford County Public Schools

working with the Infants and Toddlers Program. She specializes in language and learning disabilities. Bonnie is also a certified instuctor for the nationally recognized Music Together Program.

Ms. Gease was recently awarded a temporary teaching assignment in Europe. In her absence we are very pleased to have

Mrs. Anne Balto with us to continue to lead the Music Together classes. Mrs. Balto has recently recieved the instructor

certification from the Music Together Program.

(Music Together was developed by the Center for Music 
and Young Children, Princeton NJ. Music Together CMYC, and Center for  Music and Young Children are registered trademarks)

 

Contact: info@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest: www.musictogether.com

©® 2007 Music Together LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 


 

 


Christine Robbins, Violin

Bachelor of Arts, Glassboro State College

Christine Robbins, a native of New Jersey, is an alum of Glassboro State College with a BA in Violin Performance. She has performed

with orchestras in the US and Europe, and has appeared as a soloist

in a variety of venues. Christine brings to the MCM 20 years of experience teaching Violin and Viola. She has enjoyed working with students of every age, young children through adult. Christine lives in Cecil Co. with her husband, Bear. They are the parents of three children and four grandchildren.

Class Bullets: Five days of introductory Violin instruction will provide fun ways for the parent/child team to learn basic Violin playing. In combination with elementary rhythms, note reading and easy-to-learn melodies, we will finish our Camp experience with a lively group performance of "Twinkle".

 

Contact: crobbins@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com


Dennis Hertzog, Violin & Viola

Master of Music, Towson University

 

 

 

 

 

Contact: dhertzog@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com



Laura Pasternak, Cello

 

Bachelor of Music (Cello Performance)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Laura Pasternak is a professional cellist, with over 20 years of experience as a performer and teacher. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance, and studied with cellists Laurien Laufman and Nathaniel Rosen. She has also participated in master classes with renowned cellists Janos Starker and Aldo Parisot.

 

Laura has performed throughout the Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and Baltimore metropolitan area in various ensembles. Her orchestral experience includes, the Washington Chamber Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, Arlington Symphony, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Sandy Spring Chamber Orchestra (Atlanta), DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (Atlanta), Maryland Opera Society, West Shore Symphony Orchestra (Michigan), among others. Additionally, she has been a contract musician at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center and for numerous musical productions, performing with such artists as Bill Conti, Rosemary Clooney, Della Reese, Carol Lawrence, Michael Feinstein, Pat Williams, Aaron Neville and Billy Taylor.

 

As an instructor, Laura has taught privately for over 15 years helping both youth and adult students develop solid, fundamental technique as well as an individual sense of musicianship. Her students have participated in local festivals and ensembles, at both county and state levels, and performed in studio and school recitals.

 

A successful entrepreneur, Laura is also Principal and Chief Brand Strategist for MarketPoint, LLC, a brand and marketing consulting firm that works with business-to-business, education and non-profit clients nationwide. A sample of the firm’s clients includes Minibar Systems, Inc., Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, CitiFinancial, McCormick & Company, The National Archives, STUDIOS Architecture, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Harford Community College and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

 

 

Contact: info@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest:

 

 

 


 


Guy Hook, Banjo

 

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Contact:

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com

 


GUITAR

 


Brent Shallcross, Jazz/Electric

 

B.A. Berkely College of Music 

 

 

Contact:

 

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com



 


 

 

Kimberly Buchar Kelley, Bassoon

Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Illinois, U-C.

Bassoonist Dr. Kimberly D. Buchar Kelley received her degrees in bassoon performance from the Harid Conservatory in 1997, the Eastman School of Music in 1999, and in the May 2005 she earned her DMA at the University of Illinois . Kimberly has taught bassoon and double reed method classes at Millikin University , Eastern Illinois University , Chestnut Hill College , and at the University of Illinois as a sabbatical replacement. She has performed in various orchestras such as the Illinois Symphony, New World Symphony, Palm Beach Opera, Sinfonia da Camera, BACH Ensemble, Lancaster Symphony, and the York Symphony. She is a member of the Dickinson Faculty Woodwind Quintet, the Pennsylvania Academy Woodwind Quintet, Messiah College Faculty Quintet, and a founding member of the Trelumina Trio. Her major teachers include Phillip Kolker, Arthur Weisberg, John Hunt, and Timothy McGovern. Currently, Dr. Kelley is teaching bassoon at Dickinson College , Franklin and Marshall College , York College , Messiah College , the Maryland Conservatory of Music, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Music, and performing throughout the area.

 

Contact: info@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com


Jessica Deskin, Flute/Voice

 

Bachelor of Music, Towson University

 

Contact:

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com


 


Randy Harrison, Tuba/Low Brass

Photo by David Friedlander

Bachelor of Arts, University of Maryland

Additional Study, Philadelphia Musical Academy

 

Randy's career as a tubist has spanned more than 1/4 century. He studied privately with W. Daniel Brown, Paul Krzywicki and Warren Deck of the Baltimore Symphony, Philadelphia and New York Philharmonic Orchestras respectively. He also studied with David Fedderly, the current Principal Tubist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Randy currently holds the position of Principal Tuba with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra and the Homewood Brass Consort

( www.homewoodbrass.com ). In the past he held the same position with the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra, Haddonfield Symphony Orchestra, Prince George 's Symphony Orchestra, Melrose Brass Consort, Atlantic Brass and the Monumental Brass Quintet. His free-lance career has run the gamut of appearances with the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus band to appearances as a substitute/extra with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Bay-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra.

 

Contact: info@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest:

www.homewoodbrass.com

www.musicismagic.com


Chris Sengstacke, Board Chair/Trumpet

Bachelor of Music, Towson University

Master of Music, Peabody Conservatory of Music

Chris received his BS from Towson University where he earned a teaching certification in music education. While at Towson he performed with the renowned jazz ensemble under the direction of the late Hank Levy. Chris received a Masters degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he was a graduate teaching assistant. While there he developed an interest with computer assisted instruction software and beta tested algorhythmic technology for Yamaha, Korg, and Roland. 

Chris taught instrumental music at both the elementary and secondary levels in Baltimore County Public Schools in addition to being an adjunct faculty member at Harford Community College . He also holds the Advanced Professional Certificate in teaching from the MSDE.

 

A talented multi-instrumentalist, Chris has been performing professionally for the past 30 years as an avid trumpeter, guitarist and pianist. He has performed as a freelance commercial artist in the Baltimore-Washington area performing in various genres including orchestral, swing band, rock band and soloist. Chris has performed cocktail piano music at many local and regional events for formal affairs.

As a composer, Chris has written music for Towson University Ensemble Dancers, United Way of Maryland, Baltimore County Schools as well as arranged music for numerous events and occassions.

 

Currently, Chris is President of  DataScan, an information systems/data management company which he founded in 1995. He is currently the webmaster and computer consultant for MCM. Chris was elected MCM Board Chairman in July 2008 by the Board of Trustees and has been a Board member since 2007.

 

Contact:web@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com



 


 

 

Jay DeWitt, Percussion

 

Jay DeWitt has been one of the premiere drum instructors in Maryland for almost a decade. With a fresh, progressive perspective on the art of teaching he has helped mold students of all ages into accomplished, competent musicians. Many drummers Jay has taught in the past have gone on to pursue successful musical endeavors as well as degrees from acclaimed music institutions such as Berklee College of Music. With a rich, diversified history Jay is able to bring his profound musical experiences to the lesson room providing the most well rounded instruction for even the absolute beginner.

Mr. DeWitt can be seen performing throughout the region across a broad scale of genres including jazz, rock, folk, latin, funk and country. Jay has done television and radio performances and is in demand as a session drummer for various artists' recordings. The bedrock of his teaching philosophy is that each student should be seen for their unique individuality and that no two students necessitate the same curriculum. A student's own needs and interests are paramount in laying the strongest foundation from which boundless success may be attained.

Mr. DeWitt was recently selected by Vic Firth Percussion as an artist representative and clinician.

Contact: info@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest:

www.vicfirth.com

 

 

 




Andrew McIntyre

Master of Specialized Studies, Loyola College

Contact: amcintyre@musicismagic.com

Mr. McIntyre has been recognized as a "Master" piper amongst his peers.

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com


 



Peggy Mukai, Piano

 

Peggy Mukai holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio and a Master of Music in piano performance from the University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill . She has taught piano for over twenty years, including teaching positions at the University of North Carolina and Kansas State University . Peggy lived in New York City for ten years, where she accompanied vocalists and instrumentalists and performed in ensembles throughout the New York City area. While there, she also maintained a private piano studio, taught music classes for young children, and directed the choir of Christ the Savior Orthodox Church.

Subsequently, while residing in Europe , she taught piano and conducted the choir of St. Nektarios Orthodox Church in Bischofsheim , Germany . Since moving to Maryland , Peggy has taught music classes for all ages and is currently the choir director at Four Evangelists Orthodox Mission in Bel Air. She has performed with soprano Yvonne Hook, vocal instructor at the Maryland Conservatory of Music, and accompanies vocal and instrumental students at MCM. Peggy joined the MCM piano faculty in 2007.

Contact: info@musicismagic.com

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com

 


 

Barbara Ballard, Piano

 

BS, Susquehanna Unviversity

Master of Music, Towson University

Ms. Ballard has completed additional post graduate work at Loyola College, The Peabody Conservatory and the University of Connecticut . Barbara taught in Baltimore County schools for 15 years, specializing in high school vocal music, general music, and classical piano. She then moved to Connecticut and taught for an additional 17 years at Region 6 schools, specializing again in high school vocal music and theater. Professionally, she has sung as a paid church soloist and with the Baltimore Symphony Chorus and directed many plays and musicals.

Contact:

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com

 

 


 

 

Andrew Lewis, Piano

BS, Towson Unviversity

Master of Music, Towson University

Mr. Lewis is currently a faculty member with CCBC and works with students at the Catonsville, Essex and

Dundalk campuses. A former student of the reknown pianist Renaldo Reyes, Mr. Lewis has been a faculty

member of MCM for many years and has been an active instructor/performer for over 15 years in the

mid-atlantic region.

Mr. Lewis is also an active accompanist for CCBC and a member of the "Three Piano Players"

along with MCM faculty Dr. Duke Thompson and Mr. Chris Sengstacke

Contact:

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com


 

Matthew Mainster, Piano/Organ

 

Master of Music, Yale University

 

Contact:

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com

 

 


 

 

Dr. Duke Thompson, Founder/Director

Doctor of Musical Arts, Arizona State University

Duke Thompson is a recognized teacher, performer and music administrator. Before receiving his Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance from Arizona State University, Thompson also studied at the University of Maryland (both College Park and Baltimore County campuses), Peabody Conservatory of Music, Columbia University, and Ithaca College. As well, he studied under Nadia Boulanger in France and at both the Aspen Music Festival, and the Brevard Music Center.
As a pianist he has performed throughout Canada, the United States and in Japan to rave reviews. His playing has been featured on National Public Radio in Canada and the United States. His piano playing has been described as “passionate and exciting.” Of his CD Greatly Gershwin, released in 1998 during the centennial year of George Gershwin's birth, Frankie Gershwin (sister of George Gershwin) exclaimed that the playing on the CD is "Powerful, even more so than George's playing". Dr. Thompson has performed as soloist with orchestras throughout North America including the Edmonton Symphony, the Susquehanna Symphony, and the Red Deer Symphony. In 2001, he produced a live CD recording for the legendary harmonica player Harp Dog Brown which has found great success throughout North America. See also, www.dukethompson.com
As a teacher, Dr. Thompson has received numerous awards for curriculum development and teaching effectiveness. He received the very rare "100% Positive Rating" from his students at Red Deer College (Alberta, Canada), many of whom have won scholarships and prizes. As chairperson of the music department there, he restructured the program to great effect and benefit for faculty, students, and the community. His mantra of The CPR Advantage (Clarity, Passion, Relevance) and the Community Performance Program he has developed are some of what Duke Thompson has implemented at Maryland Conservatory of Music, a school that Dr. Thompson founded in 2002 and where he serves as the Executive Director.

Contact: duke@musicismagic.com

For more bio information go to:

www.dukethompson.com

 


 


 

Yvonne Hook, Voice

 

Master of Music-Northwestern University-Chicago

Contact:

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com

 


 

Katherine Woodward, Voice

 

 

Contact:

Places of Interest:

www.musicismagic.com


 

 




 

 


 

 

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