Violet Palm

PIANO

Violet Palm is a Baltimore-based pianist and singer-songwriter currently studying Jazz Performance at Towson University under the mentorship of Savino Palumbo. Sheis a member of Cheshire, a funk and jazz-influenced band, and performs throughout the Baltimore area, both as a solo artist and with various groups. With a passion for a wide range of musical styles—including rock, R&B, blues, jazz, alternative, and funk—Violet brings versatility and creativity to both her playing and teaching.

Griffin Quinnan

Guitar - Bass

Griffin Quinnan is a guitarist and bassist currently studying Jazz Performance at Towson University under the instruction of Jon Birkholz and Jeff Reed. He has performed with numerous bands, covering a wide range of styles including jazz, funk, pop, and rock. As a member of the local pop fusion group Just for Kicks, Griffin brings both versatility and creativity to his playing. In his teaching, Griffin focuses on connecting with each student’s individual musical interests, creating a personalized and engaging learning experience that supports their unique musical growth.

Hannah Piasecki

Clarinet

Hannah Piasecki is a classical clarinetist based in Towson. She has performed with ensembles including the Salisbury Pops, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, Towson University Symphony Orchestra, and her own woodwind group, “Guppies.” Hannah earned her Bachelor’s in Music Performance from Salisbury University, studying with Stephen Harvey, and is pursuing her Master’s at Towson University with Natalie Groom. She also teaches beginner saxophone and flute, and loves working with kids!

Nick Komosa

DRUMS - PERCUSSION

Nick Komosa is an experienced drummer and bassist who has performed extensively between Baltimore and Philadelphia, as well as on independent tours throughout the U.S. He is an active member of several local math rock and progressive rock bands, known for their dense and whimsical compositions. In addition to performing, Nick works as both a studio and live sound engineer. He is currently pursuing studies in music technology at UMBC, where he has also performed in the university’s jazz ensembles. Nick is passionate about helping students discover music as a creative outlet and as a powerful way to collaborate and connect within a community.

Brandon Gouin

DRUMS - PERCUSSION

Brandon Gouin is a passionate performer of contemporary percussion music. He holds both an undergraduate degree as well as a graduate certificate in percussion performance from UMBC. Brandon has given several solo recitals of works for percussion written in the last 100 years. He is a member of the Hi-Tom percussion ensemble and has performed alongside RUCKUS, UMBC's faculty ensemble.

Brandon has been teaching percussion and drum set for nearly a decade. His educational partnerships include various public school music groups, summer camps, and a two year long project with Baltimore city schools where Brandon aimed to explore contemporary music with young musicians.

Outside of the contemporary percussion world, Brandon has played drumset for various bands in indie/rock/and metal genres. Brandon also performs as an improviser at experimental venues such as the Red Room in Baltimore.

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LISTENING TO:

Panam Panic – Love of Humanity
Casiopea – Casiopea
Rubblebucket – Year of the Banana
Fulton Lee – Go Getter

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Victoria Bee

TRUMPET - BEGINNER PIANO

Victoria Bee is a Baltimore-based trumpet player, bandleader, and arranger who is highly skilled at working with students of all ages, from young beginners to adult learners. She fosters a love for music through engaging, personalized lessons tailored to each student’s learning style.

As a performer, Victoria plays in a variety of styles, including swing, classical, and free improvisation. She is a regular with The Bachelor Boys, playing weddings and events, and has also performed with The Screaming Art Large Ensemble, The Creative Music Consortium, The Henchmen, The Skluttz, and The Beauty Pill Orchestra.

She earned her B.A. in Jazz/Commercial Trumpet Performance from Towson University, studying under Dave Ballou and Jim McFalls, as well as faculty members Sarah Jones, Brent Madsen, Jeff Reed, and John Dieker.

A dedicated educator, Victoria teaches trumpet at all levels, from beginner to advanced, and also offers beginner to intermediate piano instruction. She is passionate about making music accessible and enjoyable for all her students, ensuring they stay engaged and find joy in their musical journey—whether they are picking up an instrument for the first time or refining advanced skills.

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LISTENING TO:

Panam Panic – Love of Humanity
Casiopea – Casiopea
Rubblebucket – Year of the Banana
Fulton Lee – Go Getter

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Jeffrey Roden

PIANO

Jeffrey Roden's musical journey began at the age of 4, when he started classical training that continued until he was 11. His passion for piano took off around age 10, as he began learning to play more by ear—a skill that deepened his connection to music. For the past 13 years, he has performed live on stages across the country, specializing in blues, rock, and jam music. Known for his dynamic, improvisational style, Jeffrey captivates audiences with spontaneous, expressive performances.

Jeffrey is a core member of several bands, including Uncle Kunkel’s One Gram Band, Diamond Canopy, Seven Teller, Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band, and Tennessee Lamb, a tribute to Little Feat. Though primarily self-taught, Jeffrey has studied with Jon Brady (Electric Love Machine, Psycho Killers, Dancing Bears, Phoam), honing his technique and expanding his artistic perspective.

With a wealth of experience and a passion for sharing his craft, Jeffrey is dedicated to helping students of all levels build their skills and confidence in music.

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LISTENING TO:

Tom Waits – Heart of Saturday Night
Assembly of Dust – The Honest Hour
Little Feat – Waiting for Columbus
The Replacements – Dead Man’s Pop

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Rachel McNear

VOICE

Rachel McNear is a seasoned gigging and touring vocalist who has been comfortable performing on stages since the age of five. Starting with a strong foundation in classical, Rachel's talents span a broad spectrum of genres, including Musical Theatre, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Indie/Singer-Songwriter, and Bluegrass/Country.

For the first 19 years of her life, Rachel was deeply immersed in repertoire from Broadway musical. After graduating from the George Washington Carver Center for the Arts , she went on to spend four years honing her acting techniques and performing in musicals at SUNY Cortland and Eckerd College.

Recently, Rachel has found great success as a singer, songwriter, and performer in Baltimore and beyond. She took the stage at the Charm City Bluegrass Festival and toured with the rock/jam band Seven Teller during their Midwest dates this past summer. Her primary band, 5 Spot, can often be seen performing at venues like Cat’s Eye Pub and local festivals.

Rachel is passionate about connecting with students of all ages and skill levels, sharing her love for singing, performance, and creative expression.

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LISTENING TO:

Atlus Sound Team - Persona 4
Eve - Smile
Fox Capture Plan - Life
Kana-Boon - Song of the Dead
AJORITY - Daydreams

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Grey Rayadurg

GUITAR - VOICE - PIANO - BASS - SONGWRITING - PRODUCTION

Grey is a versatile music teacher with over two decades of experience across multiple instruments and disciplines. As a local Baltimore artist, he frequently performs with his group The Honest Thief. With a decade of expertise as a vocalist in pop and R&B settings, Grey also provides instruction in rock and metal. His teaching philosophy emphasizes vocal therapy, improvisation, and songwriting, fostering a passion for helping students “find their own voice.”

As a multi-instrumentalist, Grey enjoys teaching a broad array of genres, guiding students to discover songs that excite them. He has over 15 years of experience playing and teaching guitar, piano, and bass. In the world of audio engineering, Grey works as a producer for recording sessions and excels in front-of-house and monitor mixing.

With a wide array of talents, Grey is a career musician committed to introducing students to the world of music, regardless of their age or experience level. His goal is to help foster a lifelong passion for music in every student.

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LISTENING TO:

Ichika Nito - The World is still Beautiful
Tyla - Tyla
Dirty Loops - loopified
The Home Team - Walk This World with Me
Fox Capture Plan - Butterfly

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Tsveta Dabova

PIANO

Tsvetanka “Tsveta” Dabova is an accomplished pianist and educator, celebrated for her numerous accolades and contributions to the world of music. She is a winner of the Steinway & Sons International Piano Competition in Hamburg, Germany, and the concerto competitions at Interlochen Arts Camp and Academy. Tsveta has been awarded multiple prestigious scholarships, including the Interlochen Arts Academy and Peabody full educational scholarships, the Levine & Hoffman LLP scholarship, and the Helen J. Iliff scholarship. Her performances have been featured live on IPR radio, and she has given recitals throughout Europe, Russia, and the United States.

Tsveta's distinguished teachers include Alexander Khazanov, Stephen Perry, Yong Hi Moon, Alexander Shtarkman, and Benjamin Pasternack. She holds a High School Diploma and a Fine Arts Award in Piano from Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI, and she earned her Bachelor of Music, Master's, and Graduate Performance Diploma in Piano Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 2004, she has been actively teaching piano in Baltimore City and its surrounding areas, dedicating herself to music development and education.

Tsveta’s teaching philosophy is centered on providing excellent piano instruction and inspiring her students. She believes that their success is ensured by her commitment and guidance as they develop confidence and expertise. Her approach is tailored to the individual skill set of each student, building on their strengths while addressing areas of difficulty. This personalized method ensures that students’ goals are focused and attainable, enhancing their potential.

“There are great rewards in being able to help one’s voice develop and sing!” - TD

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LISTENING TO:

Josh Groban - Bridges
Celine Dion - Courage
Evanescence - Bitter Truth
George Gershwin - Jazz Standards

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Charlie Ballantine

GUITAR

Named as one of the top 200 living guitarists by All About Jazz Magazine, Charlie Ballantine is acclaimed as one of the finest and most versatile  young guitarists on the scene today. JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE hails his playing as “teeming with intricate grooves and maniacal precision his guitar work is both beautiful and complex” and VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE described his style by stating “Jazz, rock, and folk music peacefully coexist in Charlie Ballantine’s world”. 

   Equipped with an impressive body of original compositions on albums like “Vonnegut” and “Cold Coffee”, Ballantine also displays a great reverence for the jazz tradition through the inclusion of standards like ‘My One and Only Love’, ‘East of the Sun’ and an entire double album dedicated to the music of Thelonious Monk released September 2021.  “In the vein of fellow guitarists like John Scofield, Bill Frisell and Julian Lage, Ballantine reconciles his educational background in jazz with the stylistic background of his instrument. He approaches the gratifying tonal and harmonic language of rock/roots with the groove, ambition and improvisational focus of a jazz musician” - (JAZZIZ MAGAZINE)

   After graduating from the Jacobs School of Music under the direction of David Baker, Ballantine relocated to Indianapolis and quickly developed a name for himself with a string of high energy performances at clubs like the Jazz Kitchen and Chatterbox Jazz Club. After releasing two solo albums Ballantine was able to attain global recognition with his award winning third album “Life is Brief: The Music of Bob Dylan” which ALL ABOUT JAZZ named in their top ten jazz albums of the year. “From the opening bars of "The Times They Are a-Changin'" it is clear that something special is happening” - (ALL ABOUT JAZZ) 

   Although primarily a front man for his own projects with tours and frequent appearances throughout the US and Canada at venues and festivals such as the Indianapolis Jazz Festival, The Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Ballantine also has an extensive list of side man credits having performed with names like Nicole Henry, Walter Smith III, Emmett Cohen, Dave King, John Raymond, Russell Hall, Frank Glover, Steve Alee, and Rahsaan Barber helping to further solidify him as a creative force and  put him in the highest of ranks as a performer.  

"Befitting a guitarist from America's heartland, Charlie Ballantine mixes jazz, folk-rock, surf/instro, blues, pop, and country into a simmering pot of guitar sound and style."

                                                                           - Vintage Guitar Magazine

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LISTENING TO:

Female President - Bring Back The Ghosts
Yazoo - Only You
Miley Cyrus - Flowers
Collective Soul - December
Stevie Nicks - Crystal

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Noah Stuehler

Guitar - Songwriting

Noah Stuehler is a passionate music teacher born and raised here in Baltimore, Maryland. Currently attending UMBC for Music Technology, Noah channels his love for music into teaching guitar and songwriting lessons.

During his time at UMBC, Noah studied classical guitar under Felipe Garibaldi de Almeida and Nathaniel Cornelius and developed a deep interest in classical playing and performance. Also at UMBC, Noah met the connections that would lead to the creation of his lyrically driven indie-rock band Fly By the Seat. He believes that music is a powerful means of expressions and hopes to share the creative side of music with all of his students.

Be sure to catch Noah at our monthly Open Mic—where he typically debuts new material—or see his band perform at venues around town.

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LISTENING TO:

Tenci - My Heart is an Open Field
Little Dragon - Little Dragon
Glauque - Flaming Swords
Palm - Shadow Expert
Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon

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Ida Dierker

Piano - Voice

Ida Dierker is a versatile musician known for her skills as a pianist and vocalist. With a passion for both practices and a deep understanding of music theory, Ida wishes to share her knowledge and nurture the musical talents of aspiring students.

Born and raised in Baltimore City, Ida attended the Baltimore School for the Arts for classical piano performance from 2017-2021. She began teaching private music lessons at age 17, and has attended UMBC for music performance since 2021.

Still working on and performing an array of classical music, Ida has also developed an interest in New Music, composing, and improvisation, all of which have changed the way she views teaching. Growing up classically trained, it was very easy to hold a strict idea of the way music should be taught. However, she believes that we should cultivate the idea that all students are unique and have their own way of understanding the world and growing. Ida strives to understand each of her students' learning styles and to bring out the growing side in every one of them. 

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LISTENING TO:

Tenci - My Heart is an Open Field
Little Dragon - Little Dragon
Glauque - Flaming Swords
Palm - Shadow Expert
Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon

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Nathan Hillman

Viola - Violin

Nathan Hillman, violist, violinist, composer, arranger, and educator has always been passionate about music, and is especially interested in studying chamber music not often performed. It was Janet Ciano, his first teacher that drew him to the viola, and ultimately into the rich world of chamber music, attending Kneisel Hall and Next Generation chamber music camps in Maine for many years. After years of playing chamber music as a violist, Nathan, along with conductor Deirdre McClure, co-founded a chamber music program at Bay Chamber Music School (Maine), coaching ensembles open to both youth and adult students. In an effort to give students a broad spectrum of music, he chose lesser-known composers for many ensembles, resulting in vibrant recital programs.

Nathan sat as principal violist for the Peabody Symphony Orchestra from 2021-22, as well as the Union College Orchestra (Schenectady, NY), the Odeon Chamber Orchestra (Rockport, ME), and has played with various other orchestras including the Colby Symphony Orchestra. In 2023 he was part of an orchestral recording project at Peabody Conservatory featuring music by Pulitzer prize-winning composer and professor Du Yun in her Mythology Series.

He has volunteered as a violist and arranger for the Peabody String Sinfonia since 2021, which aims to develop a kinship between Peabody and the Baltimore community by sharing beautiful music. He served as co-director for the ensemble during the 2022-23 season, performing for OrchKids, Enoch Pratt Libraries, and Marian House, among others. Nathan worked for two years as assistant to the Director of Chamber Music at Peabody, Michael Kannen. He is a former member of other ensembles, including a West African drumming group led by Jordan Bennisan, Union College’s Taiko ensemble Zakuro Daiko, and Penobscot Bay Ringers, a handbell choir based in Mid-coast Maine.

Nathan won the Bagaduce Composer Competition in Blue Hill, Maine for three years, and has premiered a number of original chamber and solo works, most notably in 2012, where he presented a concert debuting eight compositions, ranging from one to nine musicians. Despite currently focusing on viola, Nathan maintains a strong interest in composition and arranging, especially chamber music. He has extensive experience arranging music, often featuring viola, both in solo and chamber music contexts, and not limited to the classical genre. His experience as a composer has been instrumental to freelancing work, which often requires special music arrangements.

Since before his inception as an educator with Bay Chamber Music School, Nathan has always believed that musicians should feel inspired by the music they are playing, and that playing an instrument should be based on love for the instrument. Learning an instrument involves not only technique, but also music theory, music history, arts, body awareness, and self-confidence, so he works to incorporate all of these elements into his lessons.

Nathan studied at Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a B.M. in Viola Performance under Choong-Jin Chang, principle violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Nathan currently teaches violin and viola around the Baltimore- DC area, both private lessons and chamber groups, maintaining a strong network for performing opportunities as well. In addition to music, Nathan enjoys time spent outdoors, hiking, snowshoeing, or camping. He enjoys taking trips along back roads, experiencing the local culture, music, and landscape. Growing up on a farm in rural Maine, it was not uncommon to see young Nathan playing violin for a flock of chickens.

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LISTENING TO:

Zoltan Kodaly - Duo for Violin and Cello
Johannes Brahms - Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano
Ysaye - Sonata No. 4 for Solo Violin
Rush - The Spirit of Radio
Heart - Barracuda
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Autumn in New York
Chet Baker - It’s Always You

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Max Phelps

GUITAR - BASS

Max Phelps has performed internationally in over 30 countries throughout North America, Europe and South America, performing with progressive metal acts Exist, Cynic, Death to All (a tribute to musician Chuck Schuldiner comprised of members of the band Death) and Defeated Sanity. Max also plays locally with the funk oriented working band “Bachelor Boys Band” as well as various jazz ensembles and freelance work both recording and playing live.

Max's general teaching philosophy is that music should be fun and rewarding to participating individuals. Every situation is different based on a student’s interests, goals and skill level. For beginners, Max's aim is not just to provide an enriching musical education, but to aid students in finding their own love for music and the instrument. For already established players, Max seeks to help them accomplish their own unique goals as well as to knock down any road-blocks that the student may be encountering.

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LISTENING TO:

Devin Townsend - Ocean Machine
Kurt Rosenwinkel - Our Secret World
Elliott Smith - Figure 8
Meshuggah - Obzen
King Crimson - Thrak

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Kit Benz

PIANO - GUITAR

Kit Benz is an accomplished pianist, guitarist and songwriter from New York City. With 10 years of experience and several hundred performances, his thirst for musical betterment is unquenchable. He began taking piano lessons at age 4 and continued his studies at Shenandoah University, studying jazz and classical piano, as well as music production and jazz guitar. His versatility and love for all genres of music has taken him from performing with jazz quintets to engineering for Ginuwine.

Benz has been teaching students of all ages for several years. With a background in classical music, Benz instructs with an emphasis on reading, theory and of course, fun.

“I want my students to have fun and learn music that they love.”

In addition to wedding bands, cinematic composing, and shredding guitar, Benz also loves Mario, Tolkien and comic books. He hopes to one day compose for a Marvel movie.

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LISTENING TO:

Radiohead - All I Need
Mammoth WVH - Epiphany
Knocked Loose - Forced to Stay
Prince - 3121
Los Lonely Boys - Di Mi Amor

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Ralph Bernabe

SONGWRITING - VOICE - GUITAR - PIANO - MUSIC THEORY

Ralph Bernabe is a Baltimore musician, songwriter, and instructor. He believes in learning and progressing in music at any age and time. “No one is ever too old to learn a new skill.” 

He began his musical endeavors by teaching himself guitar, piano, and vocals while performing jazz, pop, and country covers. Soon, he realized that he wanted to have music as his career. At 16, Ralph began taking piano, guitar, and voice lessons. This was only the beginning, and opened many doors in music for Ralph. His next chapter in life with music involved him receiving a Bachelor’s in Music Education in 2018 from Towson University.

For a majority of his life, he has performed with a variety of musicians and groups ranging from the Maryland State Boychoir to All State Jazz Bands from his adolescence. Today, he performs with two bands: The indie pop band called “Plant Dad” and a country project called “Cromwell and Sparrow.”

If he is not teaching, he is frequently performing all over the DMV area with his bands and writing with fellow songwriters throughout the East Coast and Canada. His philosophy is: your skills improve with every performance. To be a great musician, you also have to be a great performer.

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LISTENING TO:

Erkyah Badu - Certainly
Tom Misch - Movie
Plant Dad ft. Father - Immature
Hippo Campus - Buttercup
Eyas - Object Permanence

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Johanna McGuire

SAXOPHONE - CLARINET - FLUTE

Johanna McGuire is a Baltimore based saxophonist. Her love for music started at an early age, when her parents would take her to group music classes, as well as various concerts. However, her love for Jazz started when she would visit her grandparents’ house where there would always be jazz playing in the house, thanks to her grandfather’s love of the music. Johanna holds a degree in Jazz Saxophone Performance at Towson University, where she studied under Jason Rigby. Johanna’s focus is on saxophone; however her array of expertise encompasses doubling on all woodwind instruments, primarily flute and clarinet.

Her performance experience continues to grow, performing in various groups as well as composing original music for her quartet. During her undergraduate career, Johanna was a member of the Towson University Jazz Orchestra, under the instruction of Jim McFalls and Dave Ballou, and has also performed in various groups and ensembles, including the Towson University Marching Band, Towson University Latin Ensemble, DCI, and the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra Jazz Band, under the instruction of percussionist Steve Fidyk. Johanna has also performed at Towson University with artists Kris Davis, Ellery Eskelin, and William Parker.

She recently was a member of the SOL collective, taking place in Boston, MA. Here, she was commissioned to compose original music to perform at Harvard University and work alongside other dedicated musicians.

As well as being an active performer in the Baltimore area, Johanna also teaches at various music camps, such as the Hilton Head Jazz Camp in Hilton Head Island, SC. Johanna uses all her musical experiences and her love of both teaching and performing to help her students find their own sound and be the best musician they can possibly be.

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LISTENING TO:

Mac Miller - Buttons
Laufey - Falling Behind
Pale Jay - Under the Magnolia Tree
Hank Mobley - If I Should Lose You
Enjambre - Dulce Soledad

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Rosetta Isnardi (VIRTUAL ONLY)

PIANO - VIOLIN - VOICE - THEORY

Rosetta Isnardi is a lifelong musician, who believes wholly in the power of musical curiosity and expression. She began her musical career by slapping at the piano’s keys cantankerously as a baby, and started lessons as a kindergartener in an effort to play more sonorously. Eventually she decided to devote her life to music, so she got a BS in Keyboard Performance (piano and harpsichord) from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, and an MM in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ. Her penchant for playing the piano has landed her on concert hall stages, ballet studios, recording studios, and in bars and rock stages (as a keyboardist with the band Survival Society..

Her incredibly supportive family endured years of squeaking as 4th grade Rosetta began her studies of the violin, and watched the growth of a young musician with an unquenchable thirst for classical music. In fact, in one of her happiest childhood memories, Rosetta recalls laying sprawled on the carpet, blasting Tchaikovsky 6 on the boombox in her bedroom, and playing Zelda games on her muted Game Boy Color. She wishes to bring that kind of joy to everyone.

Rosetta has taught in a variety of settings, and has decided the private studio is where her passion and talents lie. She lets her students’ tastes and curiosity determine exactly the ways she will teach them. She brings diversity to The Music Space with teaching piano, violin, voice, and music theory.

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LISTENING TO:

Arvo Part - Fratres
Dimmu Borgir - Progenies of the Great Apocalypse
Led Zeppelin - Since I’ve Been Loving You
Leo Delibes - Coppelia

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Derek Wiegmann

DOUBLE BASS - ELECTRIC BASS

Derek Wiegmann is an in demand bassist and teacher who lives in Baltimore, MD.  He began playing the electric bass at the age of twelve.  He was introduced to the double bass at the age of 17 and fell in love with the instrument.  During his freelance career, Derek has performed a wide variety of genres including classical, jazz, rock, blues, R&B, Motown, bluegrass, country, and pop.  Derek has been teaching privately since 2012. 

In 2012, Derek entered the Jazz/Commercial Music program at Towson University where he studied with Jeff Reed.  While at Towson, he also studied improvisation with the renowned trumpeter Dave Ballou and played in the big band directed by Jim McFalls.  Through the jazz residency program, he studied and performed with artists such as Drew Gress, Ralph Alessi, Ellery Eskelin, Tony Malaby, and Mary Halvorson.  He played in master classes held by David Liebman, Donny McCaslin, Mark Dresser, and Jeff Lederer.  During his junior year, he was selected to perform with the Mid Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra under the direction of trumpeter Sean Jones at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.  He has always been interested in versatility and exploring different styles.  During his senior year, he studied South Indian Karnatic music with Jon Seligman and performed in the Latin ensemble.  He has performed Balkan music with Orchestra Prezavica in Baltimore and D.C. and Persian classical music with Nader Najd’s orchestra in Alexandria, VA.  

While at Towson University, Derek was also an active performer and student in the classical department.  He studied classical bass with Victor Dvoskin.  In his fourth semester, he began attending Cecylia Barczyk’s cello studio’s weekly master classes.  He continued to attend and participate in her weekly master classes until graduation.  While at Towson, he played in chamber ensembles coached by Mrs. Barczyk and played principal bass in Towson’s orchestra his junior year.  Also during his junior year, he performed alongside Towson faculty and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra members in the pit orchestra for Randall Thompson’s Solomon and Balkis as part of the American Opera Symposium hosted at Towson that year.  He also in played in and observed master classes in the violin studio.  Cecylia Barczyk became an important mentor to him.  He assisted Professor Barczyk in writing her instructional method, “Teaching the Double Bass in the Classroom.”  Together they filmed a series of videos to compliment the text.  The materials are used in the lower strings method class for music education students at the university.

As a teacher, Derek uses student-centered teaching strategies as a means to actively engage the student in his or her learning process.  The role of the teacher should be to help a student learn how to teach him or herself.  He firmly believes that students should understand the “why” and not just the “how” and “what.”  Inspired by his exposure to the Alexander Technique, Derek teaches technique based on natural body movements and the release of excess tension.  When teaching technique, he does not just teach what it should look like, but how it should feel.  He has explored a variety of different playing postures with the double bass (sitting, standing with straight and angled endpins) and electric bass (various ways of sitting and standing) in order to help students of all body-types and sizes find a way of playing that is comfortable for them.  Regarding lesson structure, he does not believe in a “one-size-fits-all” mentality and caters lessons to the goals of the individual.  He firmly believes that talent is not an innate ability that one is born with; it is a skill that is trained and developed.  

In addition to teaching at the Music Space, Derek has been an adjunct professor at Howard Community College since Spring 2017, and has taught lower strings as part of the after school music program at the Park School of Baltimore since 2016.  Derek has coached double bass sectionals at the Baltimore County Summer Music Camp (2016) and the Howard County’s Elementary School Honors Orchestra (2018).  He was an All State Orchestra string judge for cello in 2016. 

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LISTENING TO:

Edgar Meyer - Uncommon Ritual
Bill Evans Trio - My Foolish Heart
Dexter Gordon - Soul Sister
Rev. James Moore ft. MS Mass Chori - Interiors
Eivind Opsuik - Twelve Days

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