Carolyn Fisher (Voice, Piano & 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.

Elisa Haveles (Voice & Piano Teaching Artist)

Elisa Haveles completed her Master of Music in Music Education – Pedagogy emphasis and Kodály Level III Certification at The Hartt School, University of Hartford. As a graduate student, Ms. Haveles was the 2009 recipient of the Jenö ¡dám Scholarship awarded by the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) and the 2007 recipient of the Barbara Potter Educational Fund Scholarship awarded by the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA).ÝShe earned her Bachelor of Music Education – vocal concentration from the University of Southern Maine where she studied voice with Ellen Chickering, as well as conducting with Dr. Robert Russell and Dr. Peter Martin. At USM, she performed as a singer and student conductor of the USM Chamber Singers, which performed two European tours in the British Isles and Austria, Italy, and France.

Ms. Haveles was the recipient of the Summit Studios Harry E. Deffenbaugh Scholarship in 2001. She currently teaches general music and chorus in the Manchester Public Schools.

Jason Stammen (Voice & 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.

John Brighenti (Piano & Music Theory Teaching Artist)

John was born and raised in New Britain, Connecticut. He is a graduate of Hartt College of Music. He has studied jazz piano and music theory with such musical giants as Lennie Tristano, Jerry Bergonzi and Ray Cassarino. John played professionally with the Glen Miller Orchestra, the Eddie Howard Orchestra, the Al Gentile and Chic Chicetti Orchestras, as well as Paul Landerman's Group and has performed around the United States in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Atlanta and on several cruise ships. Locally he has performed at Szechuan Tokyo, Cavey's, Hartford Club, 880 Club, Trinity-on-Main, New Britain Museum of Art, Ferme Restaurant and most recently Carmen Anthony's in Wethersfield.

John enjoys teaching students of all ages. He endeavors to give his students both a love of music and a strong foundational understanding of music theory. He is also available for individual instruction in music theory and harmony.

Lianne Coble (Voice Teaching Artist)

Lianne holds a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from Florida State Univeristy, and a Bachelor's of Music from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. An active concert soloist, Ms. Coble recently made her Carnegie Hall debut, soloing in Haydn's Kleine Orgelmesse and Rutter's Mass for the Children with MidAmerica Productions and the New England Symphonic Ensemble. Lianne has also performed with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Western New York Chamber Orchestra, the Orchard Park Symphony, the Chautauqua Orchestra Ensemble, the Tallahassee Bach Parlay, and has sung at the Bach and Beyond Festival in Fredonia, NY. Her operatic credits include Opera Colorado. Syracuse Opera, the Ash Lawn Opera Festival, and Berkshire Opera Company. Lianne was a national finalist in the Jensen Foundation Competition, the American Bach Society Vocal Competition, and Shreveport Opera's Singer of the Year Competition, and a Regional Winner of the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions.

Upcoming engagements in 2009 include performing the role of Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance in Ithaca, NY, soloing in the Faure Requiem with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and collaborating with the elite baroque ensemble Musica Sacra at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. In addition, Lianne is also an accomplished flutist, pianist, and organist, and has been a cantor and organist in numerous churches in the Hartford area.

Marinne Dibble (Voice & Piano Teaching Artist)

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.

Sacha Peiser (Voice & Piano Teaching Artist)

Sacha Peiser, a native of New Orleans, recently moved to Connecticut to continue her Ph.D. studies in music theory/musicology from University of Connecticut. She holds a Master of Music from Louisiana State University in music theory, and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Loyola University New Orleans. Ms. Peiser has starred and sung in many productions with the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, and has both sung and stage managed for the New Orleans Opera Association's Lucia di Lammermoor, Madama Butterfly, and Il Trittico, among others. With Loyola Opera, she participated in Roméo et Juliette and The Gondoliers in addition to several scenes programs, and was the soprano soloist for both Mozart's Requiem and Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass.

In addition to her voice, piano, and music theory studies, Ms. Peiser has also taught voice and piano at Center Stage Performing Arts Academy in Louisiana and stage managed the Natchez Festival of Music for the past two years.

Samantha Kelley (Voice & Piano Teaching Artist)

After being part of the Summit family for many years, Ms. Kelley has returned to teach voice and piano. Samantha earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Suny Purchase College where she studied voice with Kaori Sato and sang roles such as Papagena in The Magic Flute and Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Samantha enjoys church work as a cantor, section leader, and children's choir director. Ms. Kelley was the recipient of the Summit Studios MacAdams Scholarship in 2006.

Alyse Pilch (Voice Teaching Artist)

Born and raised in Enfield, CT, Alyse began studying piano at the age of nine and voice at the age of thirteen. Her love of music and Broadway brought her to attend The American Music & Dramatics Academy in New York City. Her educational training includes Main Event Show Choir, Regional Chorus (CMEA), Drama, Hartt Community Division, Madrigal Choir and Private Voice Training. Her roles include Cathy in "The Last Five Years" with the Good Company Theatre; Ariel in "Foot Loose" with Enfield Lamplighters and multiple performances with Voices, Inc. Alyse is a member of the Old St. Andrewís Church Choir, sings the National Anthem for local athletic events, Springfield Armor Semi Pro Basketball, The Enfield Town Council Induction Ceremonies, Veteran Award Ceremonies and the Enfield July 4th Town Celebration. Her favorite past time is Unified Bowling with Special Olympics. Alyse is delighted to be part of the Summit Studios family.

Frank Varela (Guitar Teaching Artist)

Frank Varela attended Berklee School of Music and has been a private music instructor throughout the life of his career. He has also taught as a lecturer at the University of Connecticut and Manchester Community College in addition to his after school guitar program for the South Windsor Recreation Department.

Frank is also an accomplished guitar player and composer. Early on he was awarded a scholarship from the National Endowment for the Arts. His work has been favorably reviewed in nationally renowned "Jazz Improv" Magazine and he has played and composed music for six published CD recordings including 2 Mystery Feet CD's. The first one, entitled "Walk the Walk" includes performances with jazz guitar great Larry Coryell. Frank also had the opportunity to record with drummers Lenny White (Miles Davis, Chick Corea) and Joel Rosenblatt (SpyroGyra) on the latest release entitled "Upstream".

Frank has also performed and recorded with such greats as Jimmy McGriff, Max Roach, Tony Trischka, Bill Keith and Windham Hill Grammy winner, violinist, Darol Anger. He is currently working on a recording under his own name entitled "2 Sides to every story".

Frank Varela also has a solo DVD, "Rare Footage" where he plays guitar and bass simultaneously.

Jared Gardner (Guitar & Bass Teaching Artist)

Jared Gardner began studying piano at the age of 7 and later took up guitar and bass. A versatile musician, Mr. Gardner has played with punk rock bands as well as jazz ensembles and is a former member of Sacramento-based folk group Ain't Betty. Mr. Gardner went on to study jazz and classical bass and holds a BM in bass performance from CSU Sacramento and a GPD from the Hartt School, where he was on scholarship as a member of the Performance 20/20 chamber music program and a student of Robert Black.

As a freelance musician in northern CA, he has frequently performed with Modesto Symphony and Stockton Symphony, and he was a founding member and principal bassist for the Academy at All Hallows. Mr. Gardner has also performed with the Monadnock Music Festival, the Sacramento Philharmonic chamber music series, and The Hartt School faculty chamber music series.

Jeff Kenniston (Guitar & Saxophone Teaching Artist)

Jeff Kenniston is a multi-instrumental performer and instructor. In 2009 he received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Central Connecticut State University, where he studied classical saxophone with Dr. Carl Knox, as well as instrumental conducting and education with Dr. Dan D'addio. While at CCSU, Jeff performed regularly with several ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, University Chamber Players, Marching Band, Jazz Band and Pep Band, as well as solo recitals. As a student-teacher Jeff conducted and directed K-12 wind bands in the West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Old Saybrook school districts.

Jeff is currently an active performing guitarist, keyboardist and songwriter with his band Addison Station, and has done freelance performing and recording sessions with several other artists. Jeff has shared the stage with many well known artists such as Ryan Cabrera, N.E.R.D, Lady Gaga, Flo Rida, We the Kings, Smashmouth, Weezer, Jeffrey Gaines, Streetlight Manifesto, Soul Asylum, Big D. and the Kid's Table, Boys Like Girls, Lifehouse, Sean Kingston, O.A.R. and Matt Nathanson. In 2009 Jeff was voted "Best Keyboardist" in the Hartford Advocate¹s Grand Band Slam. Jeff has had songs licensed by Mohegan Sun and the Golf Channel, as well as had airplay on Internet radio and by radio stations in over 20 countries.

Jon Coates (Bass & Guitar Teaching Artist)

Jon Coates holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Audio Production from Ithaca College. Jon has studied electric bass with Troy Mallard and jazz performance with Steve Brown. He has been teaching music professionally since 2000, and he is a senior faculty member at the National Guitar Workshop. As a performer, Jon has played across the Northeast in groups of all genres and has shared the stage with several national artists including The Fray, Collective Soul, Dickey Betts, and George Lynch. His music and performances have been featured in both movies and commercials, including the 2006 film The Guardian staring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher. Currently, he plays bass for several local music groups including Columbia Fields and the Brian Jarvis Band.

Anne Berry (Cello Teaching Artist)

Anne Berry is a doctoral candidate at the Hartt School. She is active both as a performer and teacher. Most recently, Anne gave a lecture and performance of Brahm's Op. 99 sonata at the Hartt School in April 2010. In Winter of 2008, she served as cellist and co-organizer of the Ganesh String Quartet France tour. From 2007-2008, Anne was the cellist of the piano trio in residence at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was also the grand prize recipient of the Duquesne University Women's Advisory Board competition in 2003. Anne has taught for the Music Academy of North Carolina, Vibo Music Center in San Francisco, and the San Francisco Conservatory in the School's project. Anne holds degrees the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Duquesne University, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Madalyne Cross (Viola Teaching Artist)

Madalyne Cross is a Master's Candidate in Music Performance on viola with an emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy at the Hartt School. She did her undergraduate work in music performance on viola at the Steinhardt School of New York University. Madalyne studies with Rita Porfiris; former teachers include Stephanie Baer and Karen Ritscher. Madalyne has taught privately for several years and has held teaching positions with the Brooklyn Philharmonic Outreach program and with the Suzuki Magnet program at Parker Elementary in Houston, Texas.

Jeff Kenniston (Guitar & Saxophone Teaching Artist)

Jeff Kenniston is a multi-instrumental performer and instructor. In 2009 he received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Central Connecticut State University, where he studied classical saxophone with Dr. Carl Knox, as well as instrumental conducting and education with Dr. Dan D'addio. While at CCSU, Jeff performed regularly with several ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, University Chamber Players, Marching Band, Jazz Band and Pep Band, as well as solo recitals. As a student-teacher Jeff conducted and directed K-12 wind bands in the West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Old Saybrook school districts.

Jeff is currently an active performing guitarist, keyboardist and songwriter with his band Addison Station, and has done freelance performing and recording sessions with several other artists. Jeff has shared the stage with many well known artists such as Ryan Cabrera, N.E.R.D, Lady Gaga, Flo Rida, We the Kings, Smashmouth, Weezer, Jeffrey Gaines, Streetlight Manifesto, Soul Asylum, Big D. and the Kid's Table, Boys Like Girls, Lifehouse, Sean Kingston, O.A.R. and Matt Nathanson. In 2009 Jeff was voted "Best Keyboardist" in the Hartford Advocate's Grand Band Slam. Jeff has had songs licensed by Mohegan Sun and the Golf Channel, as well as had airplay on Internet radio and by radio stations in over 20 countries.

Melanie Chirignan (Flute & Piano Teaching Artist)

Melanie Chirignan, a native of Hauppauge, NY, is a flautist known for her musicality and versatility of repertoire. She earned her Bachelor's in Music Performance and Music Education graduating cum laude from SUNY Fredonia, and her Master's Degree in Flute Performance at the Hartt School. She has studied with Dr. Susan Royal and Janet Arms. She has performed in master classes for Robert Dick, Jeffrey Khaner, Gary Shocker, and Tadeu Coelho.

Melanie's eclectic tastes has led her to collaborate with many different performers and ensembles including: the Hartt Independent Chamber Orchestra, the Space Coast Flute Orchestra, the Long Island flute ensemble, jazz bass legend, Nat Reeves, traditional Irish harpist Hailey Hewitt, guitarists Yovianna Garcia and Scott Hill. Her free improvisation trio, Mélange, with bassist Sean Rubin and cellist Carly Fleming, has begun a collaboration with DJ Connect Beats and his break dancers. She has performed recitals at the Bayport-Blue Point Public Library, the New Britain Public Library, and the Canton Public Library, the Windsor Historical Society, and the Wadsworth Museum of Art. Her orchestral credits include performances in the Chelsea Symphony, the North Shore Symphony Orchestra, the Torrington Symphony Orchestra as well as in the musicals Fiddler on the Roof, Anything Goes, Oklahoma, West Side Story, and Beauty and the Beast. Melanie has also worked closely with many composers and has recently premiered new works by Nolan Stolz, Masatora Goya, and made the world premiere recording of the Delian Suite, from a body of international composers in the Delian Society.

A certified music teacher, she has taught general music, chorus, and orchestra, and has taught every level from elementary school to conservatory level students. She has taught at Laurel Hill summer camp and SUNY Fredonia, and is currently teaching at Music and Arts, Martocchio Music, Summit Studios, as well as maintaining a private studio. She lives in New Britain, Connecticut.

Ross Novgrad (Woodwind Teaching Artist)

Ross Novgrad earned his Bachelors in Music from the Manhattan School of Music. After graduation, he worked in NYC for the next ten years, as a freelance artist. He's performed at the Blue Note, Seventh Avenue South, the Jazz Center of NY and Carnegie Hall. He's also shared the stage with Randy Brecker, Lou Soloff, Jim Pugh, Lou Marini, Scott Robinson, Jerry Dodgion, Gerry Niewood, Anthony Jackson, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Marvin "Smitty" Smith.

In the Latin Music Field, Ross toured nationally with Lucho Munoz and played with Mario Bauza, Paquito D'Rivera and Daniel Ponce. Additionally, Ross has worked with Hank Lane Orchestras and recorded two CD's with the Tom Pierson Orchestra.

Returning to CT in 1992, Ross formed the Ross Novgrad Trio which performs throughout New England and has performed with the New England Jazz Ensemble, The New England Jazz Septet and Avalon Express with guitar great Ron Murray.

More recently, The Ross Novgrad Latin Jazz Quintet has performed at "First Night Hartford 2010" as well as the 2010 "Enfield 4th of July Celebration" and at the "Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz 2010."

Also, Ross is a private instructor at the Community Music School of Springfield where he has taught for the past fourteen years. Ross is certified as a Conn-Selmer Artist and Clinician and is available for High School and College Workshops.

Jamie Marci (French Horn, Trumpet & 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.

John Helmke (Trumpet Teaching Artist)

John has been playing trumpet since elementary school in Chicago when the high schooler in the apartment below the one his family lived in showed him the fingering for the C major scale. By middle school he won a scholarship to attend the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan where he first was exposed to orchestral playing. While still in high school he was active as a local Chicago union musician playing ceremonial, orchestral and popular music. After high school, John played in the Marine Band in Parris Island, South Carolina before returning to the Chicago scene and pursuing his studies with many of the giants of 20th century brass playing. In 1993 John was introduced to Professor William Fielder and moved to New Jersey to study with this master teacher at Rutgers University who is probably best known for his influence in developing Wynton Marsalis as a young player.

Chrissy Nadeau (Tuba Teaching Artist)

Christina Nadeau is a junior undergraduate at the University of Connecticut, where she is majoring in music education. Chrissy originally began on the flute, but in her freshman year of high school she switched to the tuba, which she has now been studying for 9 years. She has studied under Ken Garrison and Gary Sienkiewicz and taken a master class with world-renown Oystein Baadsvik. She currently performs with the UConn Symphonic band and the UConn Marching Band and Pep Band.

Rick Liegl (African Djembe Teaching Artist)

Rick Liegl comes to Summit Studios in hopes of sharing his passion for the drums of West Africa with students. Liegl is a founding member and lead soloist of the Soli Soma Djembe Orchestra. The Hartford based ensemble has electrified audiences throughout New England with their exciting performances of traditional Guinean rhythms. The group has performed for the Wadsworth Athenaeum and Trinity College along with various education and civic organizations. In November of 2005 the group produced and released its first C.D., titled "Foundations." In 1999 Liegl created the "HANDS ON RHYTHM CIRCLES" Drum Program, a participatory team building program, by combiningÝrecreation facilitation principles and percussion instruments from many cultures. Rick has presented successful interactive music programs in numerous schools, recreation centers, churches and senior communities throughout the state of Connecticut. Liegl has worked with Paul Assegai, founder and artistic director of the Soli Soma Djembe Orchestra. Michael Markus of NYC, Founder of Magbana Drum and Dance and Abdulaye Sylla of Guinea, West Africa, a principal dancer/performer for the Africa's most accomplished drum and dance company, "The Ballet Africans."

Joe Axiak (Vibraphone Teaching Artist)

Joseph Axiak has taught at the Community School of the Arts in Storrs, CT in addition to his studies at the University of CT.ÝHe has studied with Bob Hill,ÝPeter Coutsouridis, Haruka Fujii, Bill Reynolds, Earl MacDonald and Gregg August. A graduate of Manchester High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of Math and Science, Joseph Axiak moved to UConn and has played as a member of the UConn Jazz Combo, Latin Jazz Combo, The Jazz Ensemble, UConn Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Lab Band, The Rose Quintet, Jazz at the U and other musical performances.

Greg Hoyt (Percussion Teaching Artist)

Greg Hoyt holds a Bachelor's of Science in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University. Greg has taught at:ÝRedding Elementary School, West Rocks Middle School,ÝNewtown High School,ÝBrookfield High School and the Bethel Music Center.ÝHe has performed throughout Connecticut with various groups including the Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra, the Concert Choir of Northeastern Connecticut, the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, the Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra and the South Windsor CT Community Band. He has been a member of the Percussive Art Society since 2007 and is the recipient of the James Furman Scholarship and Louis Armstrong Jazz Awards.

Rob Doran (Percussion Teaching Artist)

Rob holds both a BA in Music and a BS in Music Education from The University of Connecticut and its Neag School of Education, respectively. Since the age of 8, he has explored the near-limitless opportunities of percussion. Throughout grade school, Rob was a member of his schools' wind ensembles, orchestras, jazz bands, and marching bands (as a section leader of both the drum line and front ensemble at various times). He also established strong ties to the Manchester High School drama department, performing both onstage as a lead actor and in the pit as the primary percussionist for musicals. As of 2011, he is the only repeat recipient of MHS's Percussion Ensemble MVP Award, having received the honor in a remarkable four consecutive years. Over time, Rob has studied percussion with Bob Hill, Will Laramie, Jody Hagenow, and Bill Reynolds among others.

After winning the prestigious John P. Sousa Award for Musical Excellence as a senior, Rob continued his studies as a Music Education major at UConn. He was a student of both Pete Coutsouridis and Haruka Fujii. Rob was featured in the university's wind ensemble and percussion ensemble every year of his enrollment. He was fortunate enough to be spotlighted in a lengthy repertoire ranging from G.H. Green's xylophone rags to Henry Cowell's renowned Ostinato Pianissimo to recreations of John Bonham's drum solos.

Rob also continues to have a strong interest in the community outside of "classical" music. For several years, Rob has performed several local bands, playing drum set, guitar, keyboards, bass, and vocals on songs often written by himself. He has played hand drums for over a decade, performing as a featured player alongside noted instructors like Bob Bloom. In 2008, Rob took a musical study abroad to Cork, Ireland. There he learned how to play bodhran (Irish frame drum) in traditional Irish bands and also performed as a xylophonist in the talented free-improvisation group The Lyrebirds (Stet Lab).

When not teaching, Rob is a multi-instrumentalist in the local group Seven Eyes, as well as a pit percussionist for youth and adult theatre companies across the state.

Chris Bonito (Percussion Teaching Artist)

Chris Bonito started playing drums and music at an early age, and his excitement and love of drumming continue to this day. Originally from New Hampshire, Chris holds a BA in Music Performance from the University of New Hampshire, and describes himself as a "classically trained rock drummer with a background in jazz". He is influenced by many drummers and musicians and is well-versed in many styles of drumming. Chris offers his students a solid foundation of knowledge and performance; Topics of study include reading, technique, groove studies, fills and soloing, musicality and composition. His 19 year success as a drum set teaching artist is shown by some of his students going on to record with their own bands, auditioning for and making their school jazz band, and excelling in state band competitions. He is also a member of the Vic Firth Education Team. In addition to teaching, Chris works as a graphic designer and plays drums for The New Remains and Unusual Suspects. He lives in Wethersfield with his wife Anne and their newborn son Tommy.