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Summit Studios provides the highest
performing arts training to people of all ages and
interests. Our professional staff of musicians, vocalists,
dance and drama instructors create a stimulating
and nurturing atmosphere in which individuals may
find their own unique instrument within. We are proud
of all of our student's accomplishments, including:
- Acceptance into such universities
as Berklee School of Music, Boston University,
University of Michigan, Brown University, Boston
Conservatory, Central Connecticut University, Manhattan
School of Music, Marymount University, Oberlin,
New York University, State University of New York,
the University of Massachusetts, University of
Southern Maine, AMDA, and the University of Connecticut.
- Contracts with Connecticut Repertory
Theater, American Family Theatre, Disney International,
Northern Lights Theatre, and numerous classical,
jazz, and rock music venues.
- Top rankings in Connecticut All-State,
All New England, and numerous schools awards.
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Donna Schaffer (Founder,
Director)
Ms. Schaffer holds
a Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan
and a Master of Music from the University of Connecticut.
She has served on the faculties of the University of
Connecticut’s Department of Music, the Ethel
Walker School, and the Young People’s Institute,
as music director for C.A.S.T, INC., Rocky Hill Town
Theatre, and the Little Theater of Manchester. Donna
has served on the faculty of the Ensign-Darling Vocal
Music Fellowship Program that is administered through
the Bushnell in Hartford. She is also Director of the
education program for the prestigious Natchez Music
Festival in Mississippi. Donna is an active soprano
and an accomplished pianist. She has appeared as a
soloist with the New York City Choral Society, The
NY Women Composer’s Society, the International
Dickens Society, the Lenox Summer Series, the Manchester
Chorale, and the Northeast Concert Choir. Her operatic
appearances include performances with the Opera Theatre
of Connecticut, Crystal Opera, Opera New England, New
York Opera Forum, Natchez Opera, and Manhattan Lyric
Opera. |
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Adam Bergeron (Brass Teaching
Artist)
Trumpeter Adam
Bergeron holds a Master of Music degree from Illinois
State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from
Western Michigan University. Most recently he held
positions in the Illinois State University Faculty
Brass Quintet and as co-principal trumpet of the Santo
Domingo Music Festival Orchestra in the Dominican Republic. Mr.
Bergeron also performed with the Illinois Symphony,
Peoria Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony, West Shore Symphony,
Battle Creek Symphony, New Britain Symphony, Bristol
Symphony, and as soloist with the Illinois State University
Symphony. He performs regularly in chamber ensembles,
jazz ensembles, pit orchestras, and other venues. Adam
is comfortable teaching all levels of students. He
is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree
at the University of Connecticut. |
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Ruth Bergman (Violin Teaching
Artist)
A native of Iowa City, Ruth
Bergman completed her studies in violin performance
at the Hartt School in May, 2007. Ms. Bergman has
taught violin through the Lawrence University Academy
of Music and the ASTA (American String Teacher Association)
String Project in Appleton, Wisconsin, and she directs
and teaches violin and viola at Zwischenspiel Summer
Music Camp in Iowa City. Ms. Bergman has performed
in the area with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony
Orchestra, New Britain Symphony, Nutmeg Symphony,
and as Concertmaster of the Holberg Chamber Orchestra. |
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Sarah Blanchard (Voice Teaching
Artist)
Ms. Blanchard
came to Connecticut to study at the Hartt School of
Music, where she obtained her Master of Music in Vocal
Performance degree. There, she studied voice with Dr.
Jerome Pruett and was involved in the opera program,
singing Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi and Zerlina in Don
Giovanni. In the summer 2006, Ms. Blanchard participated
in the Mannes School of Music Summer Program, singing
the leading roles in two operettas: Nadina in The Chocolate
Soldier and Angele in The Count of Luxembourg. Ms.
Blanchard earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance
and Bachelor of Arts in Arts Administration degrees
from the University of Kentucky. There, she studied
voice with Dr. Stephen King and violin with Professor
Daniel Mason. In her undergraduate years, Ms. Blanchard
was involved with musical theatre, her favorite roles
being Julie in Carousel and Marian in The Music Man.
In addition to opera and musical theatre, Ms. Blanchard
is interested in French culture. She spent several
years abroad in Normandy, France studying voice with
Karen Acampora in Paris. Fluent in French, Ms. Blanchard
recently gave a French melodie recital with the Alliance
Francaise in Hartford. |
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Jessica Cianci (Flute and Piano Teaching Artist)
Ms. Cianci holds a degree in music education with an
instrumental emphasis from the Hartt School of Music,
where she performed with the Hartt Symphonic Band.
Currently, she is the flute player for the local band
Groove Roots and a member of The Sound of New England
chorus. Ms. Cianci has played in the pit band for musicals
such as Annie Get Your Gun and Jekyll and Hyde. She
also served as the director of both the Bolton High
School and Summit Studios Flute Choirs. Ms. Cianci
has years of experience teaching students of all ages
and abilities and enjoys instructing various types
of ensembles. |
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Laura Cook (Voice Teaching
Artist)
Ms. Cook holds
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Bennington
College and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance
from Yale School of Music. She has studied voice under
Phyllis Curtin and Joan Heller, and opera with John
Mauceri. Ms. Cook’s solo performances include
in El Amor Brujo by Manuel DeFalla with Jahja Ling
conducting the Yale Philharmonia Orchestra. Solo recitals
include a tour of England and Wales, including the
Cardiff Festival, with American Voices, the premiere
of Meteor Farm by Henry Brant – soon to be released
on disc as part of Brant’s complete works, and
many solos with CONCORA. She commissioned and premiered
two pieces by Sarah Meneely Kyder: Weep the Mighty
Typhoons for voice and piano, and Behold Night’s
Dream Unveiled for voice, harp and cello. This fall,
Ms. Cook will teach voice class and an opera course
at Eastern Connecticut State University. She enjoys
singing new and avant-garde music, choral music, early
music, and chamber music. She likes to listen to hot
fiddlers! She loves teaching voice! |
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Jennifer Crum (Cello Teaching
Artist)
Jennifer Crum began her
cello studies in Colorado at the age of eleven.
She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University
of Northern Colorado and a Master of Music & Graduate
Professional Diploma from the Hartt School. Her
principal teachers have included James Fittz
of UNC; Nicholas Jones of the Toyal Northern
College of Music in Manchester, England; Natasha
Brofsky of the Peabody Trio and the New England
Conservatory; and Terry King of Hartt and Longy
Schools of Music. Prior to teaching at Summit
Studios, Jenny taught privately for ten years
both in Colorado and Connecticut, and has done
extensive research into the areas of teaching
practice techniques and the avoidance of performance
related injuries. In addition to teaching, she
has also performed numerous solo and chamber
recitals in Colorado and along the East Coast.
Jennifer has played with the Greeley Philharmonic,
UNC Symphony as Principal, and Ft. Collins Symphony
in Colorado; along with the New Britain Symphony,
and Hartt Symphony as Associate Principal. She
has also been a concerto soloist with orchestra. |
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Alisa Dannecker (Trombone
and Brass Teaching Artist)
Alisa Dannecker is a second
year Masters student at the University of Connecticut
where she is pursuing a degree in music theory.
In May 2005, she received a Bachelor of Arts in
Music and a Bachelor of Science in Education from
the University of Connecticut. As an undergraduate,
she was a recipient of the University of Connecticut
Achievement Scholarship and a Dean’s List
student. Alisa has performed at Carnegie Hall as
principal trombonist of the University Wind Ensemble.
She has studied trombone with Dan Vinson and Vince
Yanovitch of the Coast Guard band, as well as George
Sanders of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. |
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Anthony DeDominicis (Voice
and Piano Teaching Artist)
Mr. DeDominicis earned his
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Anna
Maria College. A 2005 member of Who’s Who among
Colleges and Universities, Anthony has studied under
Mary Lynn Ritchey, Peter Hart and Maureen Connors.
While attending college, Mr. DeDominicis assistant
conducted the college choir and served as president
of the Chamber choir. He enjoys church work as a
cantor and singing at weddings. |
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Carolyn Fisher (Voice,
Piano and Flute Teaching Artist)
An accomplished musician, Ms. Fisher currently attends
the Boston Conservatory seeking a Bachelor's Degree
in vocal performance. She has been a member of the
Summit Studios family since 1999, having received the
Harry Deffenbaugh Scholarship in 2003. Carolyn enjoys
performing in many capacities. She has held leading
roles in various community theatre productions including
the Connecticut Cabaret Theater, Little Theatre of
Manchester, and Theatre Newington OnStage. In addition,
Ms. Fisher has sung with the Boston Pops on more than
one occasion. She also accompanies musicals as a member
of pit orchestras. Her experiences include over a decade
of dance training, as well as extensive training in
flute, guitar, music theory and acting. |
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Jody Hagenow (Percussion Teaching Artist)
Mr. Hagenow
comes to Summit Studios with a desire to expand the
rhythmic horizon. His pursuit of a broader musical
perspective led him to attend The Collective in New
York City, where he studied the world rhythms of Brazil,
Africa and Latin America with Latin/jazz great Kim
Plainfield. Jody then sought out the instruction of
the legendary Joe Morello, forming a relationship that
has lasted more than five years, and learning the importance
of developing technique and touch in percussion instruction.
Jody has performed in numerous situations ranging from
Jazz, Latin, Big Band, and R&B. |
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Maija Henderson (Violin
Teaching Artist)
Maija Henderson
is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. A specialist
in Baroque music, Ms. Henderson has performed in numerous
orchestra engagements throughout the northeast region.
Maija has taught violin privately for nine years. |
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Marika Kraus (Voice and Piano Teaching Artist)
Ms.
Kraus earned her Masters degree in Vocal Performance
from Ithaca College after completing her Bachelor of
Music with a minor in acting from Millikin University.
Recently she performed the duties of rehearsal assistant
for Julie Andrew’s directorial debut of The Boyfriend
at The Goodspeed Opera House. She has also performed
locally with Little Theatre of Manchester, Manchester
Musical Players, and Rocky Hill Town Theatre in such
productions as Jekyll and Hyde and Parade. She
also takes pride in her work as Music Director for
Rocky Hill High School and Kid’s Company. Before
moving to Connecticut, she was the Director of Vocal
Programming for the New York Institute of Dance and
Education in New York. She also held two studios and
taught classes at Ithaca College. She has accompanied
for the New York Dance Festival musical theater intensive,
as well as for numerous voice recitals and musicals.
Marika has performed in operatic productions such as
Le Nozze di Figaro, The Elixir of Love, and Amahl and
the Night Visitors and has appeared professionally
in the improvisational murder mystery dinner theater
Private Eyes. In New York she worked off-stage as Music
Director and Assistant Director for productions at
Ithaca College and throughout the state. Mrs. Kraus
studied voice with Patrice Pastore at Ithaca College,
Dr. JR Fralick at Millikin University, and Jane Gunther
McCoy at the Eastman School of Music as well as piano
with Diane Birr at Ithaca College. Her background also
includes many years of dance (since age 3), studies
in stage combat, the Feldenkrais Method and the Alexander
Technique. |
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Charles Lipka (Ballet
Teaching Artist)
Charles
Lipka earned his Master of Arts in literature and
his Bachelor of Arts in English and music at the
University of Hartford. Trained in ballet for over
35 years, Mr. Lipka currently studies at Premier
Dance Studio and Hartt (formerly Dance Connecticut)
with Alla Nikitina – a graduate of the St. Petersburg
Academy in Russia He has taught ballet for the Connecticut
Concert Ballet, Eastern Connecticut State University,
Company ‘n’ Tempo
of Cromwell, Premier Dance Studio of West Hartford,
The Dance Guild of Virginia, The Academy of the Norfolk
Ballet, in Virginia, and the town of Norfolk, Virginia.
Charles has danced principal roles with The Virginia
Beach Ballet, The Dance Guild of Virginia and The
Connecticut Dance Theatre--and corps roles with the
Boston Ballet and the Hartford Ballet. Charles has
appeared in ballets of Balanchine, Robbins and Doris
Humphrey as well as in Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker,
Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and Hartford Ballet’s
Nutcracker. A published and prize-winning poet, Charles
has taught English at the University of Hartford. |
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Steve Lyons (Trumpet and
Trombone Teaching Artist)
Mr. Lyons holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the
University of Connecticut. In the past he has studied
with Joel Flunker of the United States Coast Guard
Band and James Ackley of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony,
New Britain Symphony and Bagota Philharmonic in Colombia.
An active clinician and brass instructor throughout
Connecticut, Mr. Lyons is on the instructional staff
for the marching bands in the fall and three Drum and
Bugle Corps throughout the rest of the year, including
the world class Colts from Dubuque, Iowa; all while
keeping his trumpet chops in shape. |
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Jamie Marci
(French Horn, Trumpet and Trombone Teaching Artist)
Jamie Marci has been a freelance
horn player and instructor in Connecticut since 1999.
Born and raised in the Midwest, she moved to the east
coast after completing her Bachelor of Music degree
from the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her
four years in Columbia, she attended the Aspen Music
Festival for two summers and studied under John Cerminaro.
The graduate program at the Hartt School of Music brought
her to New England and the freelancing and teaching
opportunities have kept her there. In November 2003
she won a position on the Hartford Symphony’s
substitute list. She is third horn with the New Britain
Symphony, the Bristol Symphony and the Wallingford
Symphony and has also played with the United States
Coast Guard Band, the Bridgeport Symphony, the Ridgefield
Symphony and for Josh Groban and LeAnn Rimes. |
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Timothy Maynard (Guitar Teaching Artist)
Mr. Maynard
holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance
from the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford.
He has performed throughout Connecticut and the United
States as a soloist and clinician. Music from his CD
recordings is played on public radio stations across
the state and around the world on www.beethoven.com.
Also an accomplished electric guitarist, Mr. Maynard
has played in several bands throughout his career and
currently with Groove Roots, a bluesy, funk rock septet.
Mr. Maynard is also a pit orchestra regular for various
community theatre musicals across the state, playing
everything from guitar and banjo to bass and mandolin.
In addition to a full roster of private students, he
also directs Rock Band Jam. This class allows students
of all instruments and voice to collaborate in a 'rock
band' setting. They learn the finer points of ensemble
playing, as well as the technical issues of sound equipment.
This fall, beginner guitar students will 'beta-test'
Mr. Maynard's own method for guitar. www.timmaynard.com |
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Brian Murphy (Saxophone/Clarinet
Teaching Artist)
Brian Murphy attended the University
of Hartford on a performing arts scholarship. His
performing career began at the age of 19, playing
throughout Connecticut with a 17-piece big band.
A few years later he began formal studies, and he
has since had to opportunity to study with some
of the worlds finest musicians. Currently he
is performing with a four-piece jazz combo, The Noise
From the Box. He has attended and participated in
master classes with: Rene McLean, Larry Willis, Jimmy
Greene, Randy Johnson, Jimmy Heath, David Hazeltine,
Eric Alexander and many more. Locally he has had
the opportunity to lead woodwind workshops with both
Middle school and High school students. He has been
teaching privately in Connecticut for the past six
years with students of all levels and abilities.
Having met and played with many musicians, he has
come to one conclusion: The world is bubbling over
with talented people; greater than talent alone
is the drive and motivation to develop the talents
which bring an individual closer towards touching
upon their full potential, this is magic – this is
art. |
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Jason Phillips (Piano and
Voice Teaching Artist)
Mr. Phillips is a fifth-year
Music Education major at the University of Connecticut.
A student of Dr. Sylvia McClain, Jason is Vice President
of the University of Connecticut’s chapter of MENC. He is a member
of NSCS and a Golden Key recipient. He has appeared
as Mr. Angel in The Impresario. A member of the Summit
Studios teaching staff since 2003, Mr. Phillips has
been a featured soloist in the University of Connecticut’s
annual production of The Messiah. |
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Jon Piechota (Guitar Teaching
Artist)
Jon Piechota
graduated from the University of Connecticut and has
played the guitar for eight years. Mr. Piechota studied
theory and technique with Nick Stargu and was exposed
to modes and jazz techniques by Rick Bishop. He has
studied theory out of Tonal Harmony by Kostka and Payne
along with various guitar methods to develop his abilities,
as well as to refine his teaching methods. Jon has
played with a variety of local groups including Transient
Hero (fusion), Liquid Remedy and Farva (rock). Currently,
he is vocalist for a metal band, The Cauled. |
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Katherine Popovic (Piano Teaching
Artist)
A native
of New York, Mrs. Popovic has taught in New York for
the past decade. She was a faculty member of the Brooklyn
Conservatory since 2003, a teaching artist for Education
Through Music since 2001, and has been musical director
and accompanist for many musical productions throughout
New York State. During her collegiate and graduate
studies, Mrs. Popovic performed and competed in solo
piano in both Europe and the United States. Her greatest
achievement to date is winning through the Artists
International competition, a solo debut recital at
Carnegie Hall, which she performed in 2005. Through
Education Through Music, Mrs. Popovic was the music
teacher to multiple public and parochial schools throughout
the Bronx and Manhattan. At the Brooklyn Conservatory,
Mrs. Popovic had a thriving studio of 25 students for
the past three years. Her personal philosophy on teaching
is that students should be taught to understand the
aspects of piano technique and performance practice
so that they can confidently apply and recreate these
practices to their own music making. In this way, music
is not abstract but enjoyable both aurally and mentally.
She resides in Connecticut with her husband Milovan
and their daughter Ella. |
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Aaron Read (Guitar and Bass
Teaching Artist)
Aaron
Read holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from
the University of Connecticut. A student of Mark Davis
and Judith Handler, Mr. Read has performed in the university’s
Senior Guitar Recital and as a guitar accompanist for
the Concert Choir. He performs regularly as a professional
musician with two rock bands. Aaron attributes
his music influence to various rock genre artists including
Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. |
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Caitlin Sailer (Performing
Arts Teaching Artist)
Caitlin Sailer is no stranger
to the performing arts. She has been acting,
singing and dancing onstage since the age of
nine, performing with New York choreographers
and Equity actors throughout her life. She has
taught dance at major universities, community
centers and summer camps and studied tap, jazz,
ballet, lyrical and pointe at Connecticut Dance
Conservatory where she was a member of the competitive
dance company. While at the Conservatory she
attended classes given by Joe Tremaine in New
York City. Ms. Sailer has performed in several
musicals. Her most recent musical/dancing role
was as Virtue in Anything Goes at the Thomaston
Opera House. She has also played Ermangarde
in the musical, "Hello Dolly," which
was performed at the Center for the Performing
Arts at Sacred Heart University. Over several
holiday seasons, she performed with Hamill Productions
at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel for their annual
Christmas benefit for the widows and orphans
of Massachusetts firefighters. She studied voice
with Cassandra Andreas. Caitlin was also
involved in the Connecticut rock scene, where
she was the lead singer of the spunky rock band,
Crimelab. |
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Christian Siegel (Woodwind Teaching Artist)
Mr. Siegel
holds a Bachelor of Music degree in music education
from the Hartt School. Currently, he is working on
his Masters degree in music education and music technology
from the Hartt School. Chris has directed the High
School Band for Region 6 in Litchfield, Connecticut
since 2001. By linking the Connecticut Common Core
of Teaching to his curriculum based instruction, Mr.
Siegel implements structured learning activities specific
to each student’s instrument, ability level and
age. While teaching full time, Chris continues to perform
music with local pit orchestras, wedding/club bands
and the Capitol Symphonic Winds. Through these experiences,
Chris discovers teaching ideas which help students
to grow musically, while providing them with an understanding
of the requirements of real-world performance groups. |
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Jason Stammen (Voice and Piano Teaching Artist)
Mr.
Stammen holds a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance
from Baldwin-Wallace College, where he studied voice
with Sophie Ginn-Paster. Jason has appeared with the
Cleveland Opera in several productions, including Lucia
di Lammermoor and Samson and Delilah. His principle
opera roles include the title role in Gianni Schicchi,
Carl Olsen in Street Scene, and the Sergeant of Police
in Pirates of Penzance. He has appeared as a featured
soloist of the Bach and Handel Society of Cleveland,
and in numerous churches in the Cleveland and Hartford
areas. |
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Heather Strizalkowski (Flute Teaching Artist)
Ms.
Strizalkowski holds a Master of Music degree in flute
performance from the Hartt School of Music and a Bachelor
of Music in flute performance from Moravian College.
She has performed in various flute master classes under
the instruction of Julius Baker, Gary Schocker and
other leading flutists. Ms. Strizalkowski has taught
privately throughout the greater Hartford area for
over five years. She has worked as a freelance performer
and is the founding member of the chamber group Ancora
Ensemble. A recipient of the Stephen K. vanAuken Prize
in Music Performance, Ms. Strizalkowski studied flute
under Greig Shearer and Robin Kani. Currently, she
is enrolled as a trainee at the Alexandria Technique
School of New England in Amherst, Massachusetts. Upon
completion of the course, Ms. Strizalkowski will be
a certified Alexander Technique teacher. |
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Nicholas Tardif (Guitar
and Bass Teaching Artist)
Mr. Tardif holds a Bachelor of Arts in music from Central
Connecticut State University, where he was the recipient
of the CCSU Departmental Music Award. Nick studied
upright bass with Dave Santoro and electric bass with
Tyler Van Ostrand. Since 2001 Mr. Tardif has appeared
in the Hartford area with a variety of professional
groups. His future aspirations include attaining his
master in music. |
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Stephanie Wattel (Woodwind
Teaching Artist)
Ms. Wattel holds her Bachelors
in music from the Hartt School and is an accomplished
musician. She works as a professional saxophonist
playing at a variety of venues including resort
casinos, clubs, corporate and society events,
weddings, and schools throughout the United States.
Stephanie’s performance credits include
many local and national groups in a wide range
of styles. Some of her credits include: Souled
Out (R&B show band), Rob Zappulla’s
Jazz Orchestra, Bob Newhart, The Straight Ahead
Jazz Quartet, Jim Bailey, The Best of Beatlemania,
Eight to the Bar, Frank Sinatra & Rat Pack
Tribute shows, Hard Rock Live Joel Mason show
at Orlando’s Universal Studios, various
Las Vegas Billy Joel/Elton John Tribute performers,
and TNT – Temptations Four Tops Review
show. In addition to teaching jazz and classical
woodwind lessons, Ms. Wattel has participated
in high school and middle school jazz band workshops
and clinics in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Currently, she is working toward her Masters
of Music Education degree and Connecticut state
teacher certification at the Hartt School. |
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John Zion (Violin Teaching
Artist)
John Zion is a
senior at Hartt School of Music. A violin performance
major and dean’s list student, John is recipient
of the Hartt Performance Scholarship. He attended Lawrence
University Conservatory of Music and has studied with
Anton Miller and Drew Lecher. John is a former member
of the Veritas String Quartet. As such, he had the
opportunity to study and perform on a tour of Vietnam
with the Freeman Foundation grant. Mr. Zion performs
regularly with the Waterbury Symphony, the Eastern
Connecticut Symphony and the New Britain Symphony. |
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