Double Bass

Steven Brija

Originally from Chicago, Steven received his Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music in the studio of Scott Dixon. Before that, he studied Music Education at Belmont University and received his Bachelor of Music, studying bass with Craig Nelson. Other notable teachers include Charles Paul, Tracy Rowell, and Kevin Jablonski, as well as chamber coaches Jaap ter Linden and Tracy Silverman. Steven has played with numerous ensembles around Northeast Ohio including the Firelands Symphony, Mansfield Symphony, Baldwin Wallace Opera, and the Youngstown State University Faculty Chamber Ensemble. He also appeared on the soundtracks to video games Anthem and Destiny 2, and the movie The Professor and the Madman, all recorded at Oceanway Studio in Nashville.

Ian Kinnaman

Ian Kinnaman graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in music education with a focus on double bass performance, studying under Dr. David Morgan. His education also included instruction in drumset from Dr. Glenn Schaft and jazz piano from Theron Brown.

Ian currently teaches bass at the College of Wooster. He has taught privately since 2016 in addition to coaching beginner bass students for Boardman Local Schools. He has worked with students ages 5 through adult and encourages students of all ages to explore composition and improvisation as part of their musical education.

Ian regularly performs as a freelance jazz musician and has toured in a variety of musical contexts, playing both upright and electric bass. He has appeared on albums ranging from jazz to Celtic to Italian folk and can be heard on Chloe x Halle’s rendition of America the Beautiful for Super Bowl LIII. He has performed with the Trinity Chamber Orchestra in Washington D.C. and has shared the stage with Amanda Powell (Apollo’s Fire), Jack Schantz (Cleveland Jazz Orchestra), Anthony Taddeo (Alla Boara), and Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon).