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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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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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John Brighenti (Jazz Piano Teaching Artist)
John Brighenti was born and raised in New Britain, CT. He is a graduate of the Hartt College of Music and has studied jazz piano and theory privately with such musical giants as Lennie Tristano, Jerry Bergonzi and Ray Cassarino. John has played professionally with The Glen Miller Orchestra, The Eddie Howard Orchestra, The Al Gentile and Chic Cichetti Orchestras, as well as, with Paul Landerman's group. John has performed around the United States in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Atlanta and on cruise ships. |
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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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Marinne Dibble
Born in Glastonbury, CT, Ms. Dibble is currently a resident of Hartford. She received her Master of Music Degree in Piano performance with an emphasis in Pedagogy from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford in 2006. There, she studied with world renowned pianist, Luiz de Maura Castro and performed two solo graduate recitals. In 2004, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Principia College in Illinois, where she studied piano with Dr. Marie Juriet and voice with Sarah Rockabrand. Ms. Dibble performed piano and voice on a semi weekly basis during her undergraduate studies as well as three, full length piano recitals. No stranger to the stage, Ms. Dibble dedicated much of her time to dancing and choreographing tap and jazz numbers for the Dance Productions and Talent shows. She participated in two country wide music tours where she sang solo and ensemble pieces, performed piano, and tap danced. While in Hartford, Ms. Dibble was the lead singer and keyboard artist in a rock and roll folk band, and is a member of the Maxwell Trio, a piano, violin, saxophone trio that continues to perform and compete. With two decades of dance and music training experience, Ms. Dibble strives to inspire and motivate her students to love and excel in music. She continues to study piano with Dr. David Westfall and voice with Zoe Vandermeer and she concertizes in the Hartford area. |
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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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Julie Gregorio (Voice and Piano
Teaching Artist)
Julie Gregorio, voice and piano teacher, is a recent transplant to the Manchester area. A native of Gettysburg, PA, who has sung and studied piano since early childhood, she received her Bachelor's degree in 2003 from Swarthmore College, where she was a frequent soloist with the Swarthmore College Chorus and sang the role of Pamina in The Magic Flute. In 2007 she received her Master of Music from Mannes College of Music in New York City, where she continues to study with acclaimed soprano Amy Burton. While at Mannes, she studied music theory, piano, foreign languages, and diction extensively, and taught voice in public schools as part of a highly selective education internship run by the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Julie is an experienced performer of opera, art song, and oratorio, with diverse interests ranging from early to contemporary music. She appeared as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro in New York City in the summer of 2008. Julie is a section leader with the Center Church choir in Hartford, and in the fall of 2008 she makes her debut with CONCORA and as a section leader in the Hartford Chorale. |
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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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Valerie Herstatt (Teaching Artist)
Valerie Herstatt is completing her degree in flute
performance from Western CT State University. She recently
won a Yamaha prize at the Julius Baker Masterclasses as well
as the James Furman Award for excellence in performance.
She has served as principal flute and piccolo for the WCSU
Wind Ensemble and Orchestra and has played with such groups as the Ridgefield Symphony, Hudson Valley Wind Ensemble, and
the Westchester Symphonic Winds. She has also performed on
violin with the WCSU Orchestra and the Danbury Community
Orchestra as well as a woodwind doubler for many musicals
throughout CT and NY. She has been teaching privately for 7
years and her students have gone on to achieve top placement
in statewide and regional festivals as well as admittance
into various college music programs throughout the country. |
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Justin Jones (Woodwind Teaching Artist)
Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance with a concentration in jazz studies from the University of Southern Maine. As a student at USM he studied classical and jazz saxophone and clarinet with Bill Street. While in college, Mr. Jones was a college music representative for Sony Music. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music in historical musicology at the University of Connecticut. At UConn he served as a graduate teaching assistant for music appreciation classes and the department of jazz studies. Mr. Jones has performed with various instrumental and vocal ensembles throughout New England and Europe, and continues to perform as a solo saxophonist. |
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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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Jon Piechota (Guitar Teaching
Artist)
Jon Piechota graduated from the University of Connecticut and has played the guitar for eleven years and bass for four years. Jon studied theory and technique with Nick Stargu and jazz techniques with Rick Bishop and jazz legend Joe Beck. 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 approach to teaching. Jon has played guitar with a variety of local groups including Transient Hero and the Liquid Remedy (fusion) and Farva (rock). He has also supplied vocals for The Cauled and Wake of Incarnation (metal). He is currently the bassist for the cover band Avenue B. |
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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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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 and a Masters degree in music education and technology from the Hartt School of Music. 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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