OUR DISTINGUISHED FACULTY
JAMES FLOOD, CLASSICAL GUITAR
James Flood is the founder and director of Westlake Music Academy. He has taught guitar for over 30 years at numerous institutions including Morgan Sate University, Gettysburg College, and his own James Flood Guitar Lessons where students have been known to come from Akron and Canton to Cleveland for weekly lessons.
James received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in guitar performance from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where for his master’s he studied under the world-renowned Manuel Barrueco. Read More
JOE BONSIGNORE, GUITAR, UKULELE, AND BANJO
Joe Bonsignore began performing in his hometown of Long Island, NY at the age of fourteen, playing gigs in and around New York City, culminating in a sold-out performance at The Limelight when he was eighteen. His first record deal came at the age of nineteen when he signed with Amethyst Records, Columbia, SC. He later signed with Antithesis Records and finally signed with Esquire Records for The Best of Cleveland Blues compilation. Read More
COURTNEY CLARK, VIOLIN
Courtney Clark holds a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia, and a Master of Music degree in violin performance from Bowling Green State University, where she was a violinist in the Graduate String Quartet. She has also studied violin performance, chamber music, and string pedagogy in several music festivals and professional development workshops, including the International Music Festival of Leipzig, the National Orchestral Institute at... Read More
STEVEN BRIJA, DOUBLE BASS
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. Read More
LOGAN DAILEY, CELLO
Cellist Logan Dailey maintains a varied career as a soloist, teacher, and chamber musician in the greater Cleveland area. Originally from North Carolina, Logan earned his Bachelor of Music and Certificate of Advanced Performance Studies from East Carolina University under the instruction of Emanuel Gruber. Following his time in Greenville, NC, Logan studied with Mark Kosower at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), receiving his master’s in cello performance. Read More
RYAN DETWILER, VIOLIN & VIOLA
Ryan received his bachelor’s in violin performance from Baldwin Wallace University and his master’s in string performance from the University of Akron. During his graduate studies, Ryan held the Graduate Teaching Assistantship for the string department with an emphasis on solo performance, as well as pedagogy for all ages. He served as Concertmaster in both the Baldwin Wallace Symphony and the University of Akron Symphony Orchestra. Read More
DR. HALIDA DINOVA, PIANO
Halida Dinova earned her doctorate in piano performance from Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia and her Ph.D in music history from the International Researchers Program VAK Moscow. She received her master’s in piano pedagogy and performance from the Kazan State Zhiganov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia and her artist diploma in piano performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music… Read More
ALBERT DONZE, VOICE
Albert Donze has been using vocal science in his private and institutional instruction for 20 years and is passionate about sharing that information to elevate the experience and proficiency of his students. Albert has Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Applied Voice Performance degrees from Ohio State University. Read More
CHRISTOPHER ELLICOTT, GUITAR
Christopher Ellicott is a graduate of the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory where he earned his bachelor’s in classical guitar performance, studying under Dr. Loris Chobanian. He was active for many summers as a participant in the Classical Guitar Workshop at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory and has also attended the Guitar Hamilton Program in Ontario, Canada. Read More
CLARA ENGEN, VIOLIN AND VIOLA
Clara Engen is a graduate of Oberlin College and Conservatory with a bachelor’s degree in violin performance. She earned her master’s as an orchestral fellow with The Orchestra Now at Bard College.
Clara is in her 10th year of teaching. She has taught and performed with the National Concert Association of Panamá,… Read More
JOSHUA FADENHOLZ, PIANO
Joshua Fadenholz began studying piano at a young age. He has his bachelor’s degree in music composition from Cleveland State University. Throughout his undergrad, he studied with different CSU piano faculty members, including Dr. Robert Cassidy, Javier Gonzalez, and Grammy winner Angelin Chang. He went on to earn his master’s degree in piano performance at Cleveland State under Cleveland Orchestra pianist, Joela Jones. Read More
COURTNEY FLYNN, FLUTE
Courtney Flynn earned her bachelor’s in flute Performance at Denison University and her master’s in flute performance at Cleveland State University. She studied with Carla Colon, Dr. Leslie Maaser, and Sean Gabriel.
As an instructor, Courtney teaches each student differently, focusing on each person’s strengths and learning styles. Read More
DR. GARY GRANING, PIANO
Dr. Gary Alan Graning has over 50 years of experience teaching piano to children from the age of 5 up through adults. Gary earned his doctorate in piano pedagogy from Columbia University, Teacher’s College. He received his master’s in piano performance from The University of Michigan… Read More
DIANE HALEY, PIANO
Diane Haley earned her bachelorss and master’s degrees in piano performance from Cleveland State University, where she studied under Andrius Kuprevicius. While there she was among just a few students selected to perform for Leonard Bernstein during a ceremony at Cleveland State where he was presented with an honorary degree. Read More
ANNA JUDKINS, PIANO AND ORGAN
Anna Judkins is a native of Decatur, Alabama and studied both piano and organ through her formative years. She studied organ with Suzanne Purtee and piano with Kay Grubbs and Francis Schwemmer. At Brigham Young University, she took piano lessons with Robin Hancock, piano pedagogy with Irene Peery-Fox, and keyboard skills with Scott Holden. Read More
JOHN KARKOSIAK, GUITAR AND UKULELE
John Karkosiak has his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Guitar from the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, where he studied under hard bop style guitarist Richard Goldstein. John is part of the applied guitar faculty at Cleveland State University. He teaches with a heavy emphasis on ear training, applied music theory, fretboard visualization, improvisation, and creative practicing. Read More
ADAM KEELER, GUITAR
Adam Keeler has his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in classical guitar performance from the University of Akron. He also studied in France under fingerstyle virtuoso, Pierre Bensusan. Adam has been teaching guitar for over 20 years in a variety of styles, including classical, rock, and fingerstyle. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Guitar at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Read More
MARINA KERZE, PIANO
Marina Kerze received her musical education from prominent institutions in Russia such as the Perm College of Music and St. Petersburg State Conservatory. She moved to the United States in 2005 to study with renowned pianist Margarita Shevchenko. Read More
IAN KINNAMAN, DOUBLE BASS
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. Read More
CATHERINE KLUEBER, VOICE
Catherine Klueber received her bachelor’s degree from Baldwin Wallace in music therapy with voice as her primary instrument. She has studied and performed classical, musical theatre, and sacred music. During her time at BW, Catherine won the Mel Hakola Competition for Academic and Vocal Excellence and also won the lead role in BW’s 2008 opera production, Handel’s Semele. Read More
ARIEL LONDONO, CELLO
Colombian-born Ariel David Londono has been teaching cello for 11 years. Ariel holds a bachelor’s degree in cello performance from the National Conservatory of the National University of Colombia. He holds both a master’s in chamber music from Kent State University, where he studied with the highly-acclaimed Miami String Quartet, and a master’s in cello performance… Read More
SAMANTHA LOOMIS, VOICE
Samantha Loomis received her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance at Ohio Northern University and her master’s in vocal pedagogy from the University of Southern Maine where she studied under internationally-acclaimed opera singer Dr. Malinda Haslett. She has studied and performed classical, musical theatre, and jazz. Samantha has also augmented… Read More
ZACH LYNN, PIANO
Zachary Lynn earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Cleveland State University, where he also earned a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction. While at Cleveland State, Zachary studied piano under Grammy Award-winning pianist Dr. Angelin Chang. Prior to attending Cleveland State, Zachary studied at Ohio University under internationally acclaimed pianist… Read More
ELIZA FATH POXON, CELLO
Eliza Fath Poxon started studying cello at the age of 5. At 13, she was accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College division. She went on to receive both a bachelor’s degree and a professional studies degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Melissa Kraut. She continued her studies and received her Master of Music at the Manhattan School of Music under Philippe Muller. Read More
ANASTASIA RAINBOW, VOICE
Coloratura Soprano Anastasia Rainbow received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Fisk University where she was a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. She received her Graduate Performance Diploma in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Opera from Longy School of… Read More
BRIAN RANDALL, PERCUSSION
Brian earned his Bachelors in Jazz Percussion Performance with a focus on vibraphone and world/multi-percussion from Cleveland State University. Brian’s mentors and private instructors include Cleveland Orchestra percussionist Tom Sherwood, Chicago Symphony principal percussionist… Read More
TOM RAY, GUITAR, UKULELE, AND ELECTRIC BASS
Tom received his bachelor’s degree in classical guitar performance from Baldwin-Wallace University, studying under Dr. Loris Chobanian, and has his master’s degree in classical guitar at the Cleveland Institute of Music under Jason Vieaux and Colin Davin. Read More
SHAYNA RHODES, VIOLIN, VIOLA, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC
Shayna earned her master’s degree in violin performance at Cleveland State University and her bachelor’s (cum laude) in violin performance from West Virginia University. She has an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from the Cuyahoga Community College, and is certified in Musikgarten, an early childhood music education system. Read More
CARA ROVELLA, VOICE
Cara Rovella received her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Cleveland State University where she studied with Amanda Powell and Elena Mullins. Cara began teaching vocal technique during her time as an undergraduate and has been developing her philosophy of teaching the whole singer ever since. Read More
DAVID SHAFFER, DRUMS & PERCUSSION
David earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in percussion performance at California Institute of the Arts. While there, he studied classical percussion and many Non-Western music systems that CalArts is renowned for, including African, Indian, and Indonesian music. Read More
PAUL STRANAHAN, DRUMS AND PERCUSSION
Paul Stranahan has been performing and teaching professionally for over 30 years. He earned his bachelor’s in commercial arts with a focus on percussion from Capital University. Paul teaches drum set, snare drum, and mallet instruments. He stresses not just the importance of practice, but how to practice, which can be applied to all aspects of learning. Read More
BRYAN TYSL, PIANO
Bryan Tysl is a graduate of Cleveland State University, with his master’s in collaborative piano performance, where he studied under Cleveland Orchestra Principal Keyboardist, Joela Jones. He plays for professional and university ballet classes and also composes music for video games. Read More
NATHAN VENDEL, DRUMS AND PERCUSSION
Nathan earned his bachelor’s in percussion performance from the New England Conservatory of Music where he studied with members of the Boston Symphony percussion section, Matt Mckay, Dan Bauch, and Will Hudgins. He earned his master’s in percussion performance from… Read More
MARY KRASON WIKER, VOICE
Mary Krason Wiker holds a bachelor’s in music from Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she studied under Alanna Keenan, and a master’s in vocal performance from Cleveland State University, where she studied under Elizabeth Unis Chesko. Mary is currently a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and has contributed as a soloist... Read More
JACQUELINE WOOD, FLUTE
Jacqueline received her bachelor's degree in music education from Baldwin Wallace University. She went on to receive a master’s in flute performance from Cleveland State University, studying under Sean Gabriel, principal flutist of the Blue Water Symphony… Read More