Angela Muller - Flute

Laura Ingalls - Violin

 

Violinist Laura E. Ingalls grew up in Jacksonville, FL. She was privileged to take private violin lessons from age five and to be in strong children’s choir and graded orchestra programs at her church. She won a music scholarship to study violin at University of North Florida and earned the Bachelor of Arts in Education, Music Education (Magna Cum Laude). Laura went on to win another music scholarship to study at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where she earned the degree Master of Church Music. Laura loves to play violin, as a soloist, in chamber groups and in orchestras.

For ten years she lived in North Carolina where she played with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra, Durham Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival orchestras, North Carolina Symphony, Durham Savoyards, White Iris Opera Co, Raleigh Flute Choir, pit orchestras for stage musicals, solo performances at SECU House in Chapel Hill, several recitals, churches and many weddings. In the months since moving back to Florida, Laura has played with Coastal Symphony of Georgia, Jacksonville University Orchestra, several churches and The String Group LLC. She has also practiced improvisation styles from Bluegrass, to early Baroque, to contemporary Christian in church bands. Laura loves to teach music.

Since 1997 she has taught private violin, viola and cello lessons, mixed strings classes, general music classes and children’s choirs. She has taught students aged four to seventy-four. Currently Laura teaches an after school violin class through NFC, and she has private violin students in northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. As a strings teacher she combines traditional and Suzuki methods and materials. Laura teaches with enthusiasm, kindness and patience.

Ariadna Perez – Cello

ARIADNA PEREZ – cello – graduated from Vocational School of the Arts in Matanzas, Cuba, received Middle Superior Education at the National School of the Arts in Havana, Cuba. She studied at the Superior School of Music in Santander Spain with Natalia Shakhovskaya. Ariadna continues to study toward a degree in Cello Performance at University of North Florida.

Ms Perez has performed with the Symphony Orchestra of Matanzas (Cuba), National Symphony Orchestra (Dominican Republic) and National Philharmonic Orchestra of Cibao (Dominican Republic) and she was cello instructor in the Orchestra System of the Presidential Council of the Dominican Republic

Cliff Newton - Trumpet

Cliff Newton, trumpet, retired from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra after being the Principal Trumpet for 32 years. As Principal trumpet, Mr. Newton has had the opportunity to perform many solos with his symphony colleagues in a variety of classical and jazz styles.

Mr. Newton began his studies of the trumpet at the age of 12 in the public school of his small home town in central Florida. He went on to receive Bachelors degrees in Music Performance and Music Education from the University of South Florida. Mr. Newton later received a Masters in Trumpet Performance with an emphasis on college-level teaching from the University of Northern Colorado.

Other performance experience includes the NORAD Band in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and he currently performs as a soloist with the Belle Fleur String Quartet and the Palm Court Society Orchestra in Jacksonville, Florida.

In addition to an active performance career, Mr. Newton has been an instructor of trumpet at the Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada, as well as Jacksonville University and University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.

In addition to “Classical Music”, his favorite musical styles include early jazz, Argentine tango and American Civil War era brass band music. He is the Co-founder of the Ancient City Brass Band.

Don Reynolds – Trumpet

Don Reynolds taught band in Nassau County for 35 years. As the director of the West Nassau High School band, his Marching and Concert Bands were awarded Superior for 21consecutive years at District Music Performance Assessments and were highly recognized on the State and National Level. Among his many achievements as a band director his band were awarded the Bob Lampi Award, and the Otto Krausharr Award. He was a 2010 recipient of the prestigious Oliver Hobbs Award by the Florida Bandmasters Association for his achievements and contribution to the FBA. He is a current member of FBA, MENC, FMTA, and ASBDA.

As a trumpet player he has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony (1973-1978), Holiday on Ice, Ringling Bros. Circus, and several off Broadway Productions in the North Florida area. Mr. Reynolds is currently employed as an adjunct professor of Brass Studies at Jacksonville University and is the Principal Trumpet of the First Coast Wind Ensemble. Performances of Mr. Reynolds as a soloist with the First Coast Winds can be found on You Tube under Don Reynolds – Trumpet

Under Mr. Reynolds private instruction several of his students have been placed by audition in the Florida All-State Middle School Band, High School Band, and Orchestra.

Glynda Newton - Violin

Glynda Newton grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where she started violin in the school orchestra and later playing in the Jacksonville Youth Orchestra. After Robert E. Lee High School, Glynda studied at the University of South Florida and Univ. of Northern Colo.

While studying in Tampa, she began performing professionally in the Fla. Gulf Coast, which has since changed its name to the Florida Orchestra. Her travels around the world has allowed her to hear many different types of performance styles and afforded her the opportunity to work with many fine musicians.

Raising two beginning musicians and helping them become professionals has giving her a very clear vision of the effort and rewards that musical study can offer. Her approach will be just as when she sits with the young violinists in the JSO’s Major Minor Concert, a warm smile, gentle guidance and encouragement.

John Lumpkin - Percussion

Jennifer Christensen - Saxophone

Jennifer Christensen recently graduated from Florida State University’s College of Music, cum laude, with a bachelor’s in Music Education. While in college she studied saxophone with Joseph Yorio and Patrick Meighan and was very active in Sigma Alpha Iota, international music fraternity for women, as the Beta Alpha chapter Sergeant at Arms. Jennifer was also Head Student Coordinator of the College of Music Board of Advisors program and in the university’s marching band the Marching Chiefs for two years.

During her internship for her degree Jennifer taught at two different elementary schools in Jacksonville Beach. At one of the schools Jennifer directed a musical with the entire second grade including rehearsals and three performances in addition to regular teaching duties. 

Jennifer is certified in Orff-Schulwerk Level 1 and an active member of several music organizations including the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity Alumnae Association, Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Florida Bandmaster’s Association (FBA) and the Florida Elementary Music Educator’s Association (FEMEA).

Jordan Wood - Percussion

Kamila Shahtakhtinski - Piano

Kamila Shahtakhtinski, holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in teaching, accompaniment, solo and chamber ensemble performance from Azerbaijan State Conservatory (now Baku Music Academy). She served as Associate Professor of Piano department since 1987 and toured as soloist, member of chamber group and accompanist to major cities of former Soviet Union, as well as Italy and US. She also performed concerti with Azerbaijan State Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and recorded for Azerbaijan State Radio. Several of her students successfully graduated from BMA with Bachelor’s in Piano and participated in local and regional competitions.

Kamila moved to US in 1997. She was faculty member at the Amelia Arts Academy /Fernandina Beach, FL/ in 1998-2010. Kamila teaches privately in Jacksonville (FL) and continues to perform in US as soloist and accompanist; she serves as a Music Director at St. George Episcopal Church (Jacksonville, FL) since 2006. She recorded album of piano selections “Dedication” in 2007 with Twenty-First Century Studios, Jacksonville

Kamila Shahtakhtinski is member of NFMC and MTNA. Many of her students participate in local festivals and competitions , she has several Florida State winners and one participant on international level with great reviews from jurors.

Kayo Ishimaru - Harp

Kayo Ishimaru is enjoying her 22nd season as principal harpist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. A native of Osaka, Japan, Ms. Ishimaru began her musical studies on piano at age three, and transferred to harp at age ten. She continued her formal study at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. With a scholarship from the French government, she studied at the renowned Paris Conservatory, where she was awarded the coveted Premier Prix.

Ms. Ishimaru serves as principal harpist with Chicago’s Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, a position she has held since 1991. She has performed with many orchestras in the United States, Japan, France and Mexico, including the St. Louis Symphony, Rotterdam Philharmonic, NHK Symphony Orchestra (Tokyo) and the Tokyo Philharmonic.

In 2005 she participated in The Peace Concert, performing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In 2006 she performed with the Escher String Quartet at the Aspen Music Festival and she has appeared in concertos and solo recitals in France, Italy and Japan and the United States. She can also be heard on a recording of the music of J.S. Bach with JSO hornist Aaron Brask, available at www.lasthorn.com.

Ms. Ishimaru has written extensive duo harp arrangements with her husband, harpist Dickie Fleisher and together they give recitals in the U.S. and Japan. They also enjoy collecting harps, one of which is a prized harp that belonged to Harpo Marx and was featured in his movies.

Lou Henningsen - Bagpipes

About the Piper – Lou Henningsen

A 12-year-old paperboy hears the eerie skirl of bagpipes in the distance and follows the sound to a park, finding a dozen pipers and drummers practicing. Two years later, thanks to his tutor's great patience, Lou became the youngest member of the Phoenix Scottish Pipe Band.

In the decade that followed, Lou became the Pipe Sergeant, then Pipe Major. He played with two other Arizona-based pipe bands, taught piping in his home, and offered bagpipe classes at the local college. He played for weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, funerals, parades, for those in hospitals, in prison, and at private parties. He even played for the opening of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City. He was once pictured in Playboy magazine, bunny ears on, when he played at the elite Phoenix club one St. Patrick's Day. He has played with other bands as his Military career saw transfers around the states. Recently, Lou served as Pipe Major and Instructor for Jacksonville (FL) Pipes and Drums, playing for Prince Edward, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rod Stewart, and countless others.

Lou has earned piping awards at Highland Games in Florida, Georgia, Arizona, California, Idaho and Washington. He attended two summers at Glasgow's College of Piping, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, extension campus and one summer at the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming in North Carolina. Lou completed a summer exchange program in Ireland, England, and Scotland. While there, he competed in the world famous Cowal Gathering in Dunoon, Scotland. Memberships: Southern U.S. Pipe Band Association, Eastern U.S. Pipe Band Association, International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers, Jacksonville Pipes & Drums, US Coast Guard Pipe Band

Matt Daniel - Piano

Matt Daniel is majoring in Piano Performance at University of North Florida and currently serves as Organist and Choirmaster for St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Fleming Island. Matt also served as pianist and Choir Director for Emmanuel Christian Fellowship and St. Mark Baptist Churches in Middleburg Florida.

He is member and President of UNF Chapter of Music Teacher’s National Association and a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, the professional music honor society.

Michael Dell - Piano/Organ

Born in Jacksonville in 1959, Michael Dell received his Bachelor in Church Music degree from Stetson University (DeLand, FL) and a Master of Church Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX). Additional studies were with Dr. Gerre Hancock at St. Thomas (Episcopal) Church in New York City, as well as numerous workshops and conferences. He has served churches in Texas, Alabama, and Florida, and has the good fortune of currently being Organist/Director of Music at South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, which also serves as the rehearsal home of his recently established mixed community choral group, The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville. Michael is also returning this Fall to his previous appointment as the Director of The Friday Musicale Chorus. The Friday Musicale is the oldest musical organization in Florida, and the second oldest in the nation.

As a professional accompanist, Michael greatly enjoys his work with Producer Jim Goodell’s Bella Voce Cabaret. In addition to playing piano, organ, and other keyboards, and conducting church (traditional and contemporary) and community groups, Michael enjoys teaching piano and organ, and writing both music and texts as needs and opportunities arise. He is a published hymn writer and composer of organ music, and has also composed choral compositions. He has presented recitals and appeared as organ soloist with both the Huntsville (AL) Symphony Orchestra and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. He also enjoys collaborating with his colleague and friend, Andrew Clarke, in performing duo-jazz piano improvisations.

Michael is the proud father of Christopher (now in his second year at Michael’s Alma Mater, Stetson), and is also richly blessed with four wonderful stepchildren: Brad, Katie, Justin, and Jessica, through his recent marriage to his collaborative partner, Debbie. Debbie’s gregarious personality and considerable marketing and organizational skills have contributed profoundly to The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville.

Nadia Zarembo - Guitar/Domra/Piano

Nadia Zarembo (guitar, mandolin, and organ) of Russia has a Master degree from Russia in string folk instruments and instrumental conducting. She also has Master of Music degree from SUNY (Binghamton) in choral conducting with minor in organ. 15 years of experience teaching in Children’s music schools and at a music college in Russia. In USA she has been a private instructor, taught beginning piano at SUNY (Binghamton), and as a student conductor worked with University and Community Choir. She moved to Florida in summer 2007 from New York state.

Nick Curry - Cello

Dr. Nick Curry - cello - was recently appointed as the cello professor at the University of North Florida. At UNF, he plays in Trio Florida with violinist Simon Shiao and pianist Gary Smart. Before this appointment, he was the professor of cello and the cellist in the Rawlins Piano Trio at the University of South Dakota. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where he studied cello with David Starkweather from the University of Georgia. Nick received his bachelors of music from Vanderbilt, where he studied with Grace Mihi Bahng. While at Vanderbilt, he served as Professor Bahng's teaching assistant, and was the recipient of the Jean Keller Heard Award for Excellence in string playing.

Nick then served as Hans Jorgen Jensen’s teaching assistant for five years at Northwestern University, where he earned his masters degree and doctoral degree. He also was the teaching assistant to Professor Jensen at the Meadowmount School of Music for four summers. While at Northwestern, Nick soloed with the Northwestern Philharmonic Orchestra and won the Northwestern Chamber Music Competition. Nick has played in master classes for Lynn Harrell, Ralph Kirschbaum, Paul Katz, David Geber, the Emerson String Quartet, the Pacifica String Quartet, and the Blair String Quartet. Private studies have also included Harvey Shapiro, David Finckel, and John Kochanowski.

Nick has played concerts in Taiwan and all over the US. He has judged many contests including South Dakota and Florida All State and parts of the MTNA and ASTA string competitions. He has presented at the CMS National Conference as well as MTNA. He is currently in charge of special projects for Florida ASTA. In April of 2006, he performed as a soloist on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion where he played the King Amati cello. The performance was heard by over 4,000 people live and by approximately 4 million on radio. The performance can be found on the Prairie Home Companion website.

Philip Pan - Violin

Philip Pan, violinist, has been Concertmaster of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra since 1984. He regularly solos with the JSO and has also made concerto appearances with the Albany Symphony, Schenectady Symphony, Gainesville Chamber, Boston Pops and Bach Aria Festival orchestras.

He has performed in recital at Alice Tully Hall, the Aspen Music Festival, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, the Madison Chamber Music festival, the Homestake Opera House (Lead, SD) and in many other venues throughout the U.S. He and his wife, JSO flutist Rhonda Cassano, are founders of the Bach and Beyond! series, Synergy and Sound Effects at MOCA Jacksonville.

Mr. Pan has also served as Visiting Lecturer at the University of Florida. He was one of the last protégés of William Kroll and received his BM and MM from the Juilliard School where he studied with Dorothy DeLay and Felix Galimir.

In addition to classical, Philip enjoys playing various styles of fiddle music, jazz and rock, especially on his 7-string, electric Viper violin.

Reinaldo Perez - Oboe

Regina Torres - Voice

A Jacksonville native, mezzo-soprano Regina Torres began her vocal studies at the University of Florida and finished her graduate work at the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Currently, she teaches private voice through the St. Johns County School of the Arts, incorporating breathing technique with performance practice in both classical and musical theatre styles.

Described as a “tour de force of vocal virtuosity married to a fabulous stage presence” (Captain Classics – WFCF, St. Augustine), Ms. Torres wields her voice with equal acclaim in opera and musical theatre. Her powerful and beautiful sound has thrilled audiences in her portrayals of such vastly different roles as the gypsy Azucena in Verdi’s Il trovatore and Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music. As a comedienne, Ms. Torres has brought down the house as the “rapping” Witch in Into the Woods and gingerbread-gobbling Witch in Hansel and Gretel. She is also a Gilbert and Sullivan favorite and appeared in recital in 2011 at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. With Central Florida Lyric Opera (Orlando), Ms. Torres was best known for her reinterpretations of familiar roles - transforming Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro) into a glamorous desperate housewife and the rosy Little Buttercup (H.M.S. Pinafore) into a true gypsy. In her debut with the St. Petersburg Opera as Madame Armfeldt (A Little Night Music), the St. Petersburg Times hailed her performance, noting her “delicious inflection to her commentary about on the fools around her.” She was most recently seen as Pitti-Sing in The Mikado with Greenville (S.C.) Light Opera Works and will be returning to the Space Coast Symphony to reprise the Duchess of Plaza-Toro (The Gondoliers) in April 2012.

She has also appeared as a soloist in performances of Dvořák’s Requiem (Space Coast Symphony), Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and St. John Passion, and a debut in the Bob Carr Auditorium in Handel’s The Messiah. In March 2012, she will be appearing with Deborah Voigt and the Space Coast Symphony in Verdi’s Requiem.

She is a frequent recitalist and enjoys creating unusual programs for her audiences. In 2011, she created an informance highlighting performance practice for the EMMA Lecture Series (St. Augustine). For the last three seasons, First Coast Opera (St. Augustine) asked her to design programs for their cabaret series including the upcoming Viva Espana. She is a member of the Jacksonville based Bella Voce Cabaret and a founding member of Mezzolicious.

Ruth Greene - Percussion

Ruth Greene – Snare drum & Drum set - Over 25 years experience as a drum set and snare drum instructor teaching rudiments, technique, reading and drum set independence studies.

Performance experience includes playing with community concert bands in New Jersey and professionally with many small combos. Upon moving to Florida, Ruth has performed with the St. Augustine Community Orchestra and accompanied the North Florida Women’s Chorale.

In her teaching Ruth has been successful in using a unique warm up exercise that she learned while a drum student of the legendary Sonny Igoe (Woody Herman, Benny Goodman & the CBS and NBC orchestra fame).

Several of Ruth’s students have gone on to study at Berklee School of Music and continued on to play professionally. More recently several of Ruth’s students have been accepted into high school drum lines.

Susan Mcgee - Horn

Susan McGee - French horn – has over 28 years of professional experience. She is currently a member of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and the Brevard Symphony Brass Quintet in Melbourne, FL. Susan has been with the Brevard Symphony since 1996 and prior to that, she was a member of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, in Ft. Myers, (1987 – 1996) and, while there, was a director of the Southwest Florida Youth Symphony Brass and Woodwind Quintets.

She was the horn player in residence for the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, in Ft. Myers, from its inception in 1994 until she relocated to Port St. Lucie, FL. in 1996. Susan was also a member of the Florida Westcoast Symphony, in Sarasota (1983 – 1986) and has performed with the Florida Orchestra, the Orlando Philharmonic, and recorded for artists, Valerie Gillespie, Ella Chadwell and Rose Bilal.

She has taught privately for the past 25 years. Susan studied horn at the University of South Florida with Professor Ralph Froelich, a former member of the New York Woodwind Quintet, and also with Justine LeBaron, former principal horn with the Florida Orchestra.

Will Robinson - Trombone

Bio Coming Soon...

Yolanda Olmstead - Theatre

Yolanda Olmstead comes to the Northeast Florida Conservatory with her educational background in performing arts and early childhood education.

She has taught multiple years of summer theater camps for kids, performed in numerous children’s theater productions, acted in productions with local and out of state community theatres, and continues to work in childcare for preschool age children as a music resource teacher as well as manage a locally owned mobile dance company teaching beginning ballet and tap to young children.

Yolanda has experience in directing, stage managing, and tour managing in the world of theater for both adults and children. Her favorite roles include, Sister Mary Regina in “Nunsense”, Portia in “Cinderella”, Templeton in “Charlotte’s Web”, Rumpelstiltskin in “Rumpelstiltskin”, Sister Sophia in “The Sound of Music”, Nettie Fowler in “Carousel”, Maude Dunlop in “The Music Man”, Mammy in “Wiley and the Hairy Man”, and Mama Mae Peterson in “Bye, Bye Birdie