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FACULTY
Faculty - Music Department
Marshall Brown, Trombone, holds BM & MM degrees from the University of Michigan and an Artist Diploma from The Hartt School. He is currently Music Director/Conductor of the Bristol (CT) Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Waterbury (CT) and Wallingford (CT) Symphony Orchestras. Mr. Brown was former music director of the Montgomery (AL) Symphony Orchestra and instructor of lower brass at Alabama State University.
Linda Cabral, Piano, has been playing and performing piano since she was a child. She graduated from The Hartford Conservatory of Music where she studied music pedagogy. She also earned an undergraduate and graduate degrees fro Central Connecticut State University in psychology and counseling. Linda often combines her education and musical talent when performing for nursing homes and other health care facilities. Linda currently teaches at The Music Shop and has been on the faculty of the Hartford Conservatory since 2003. She teaches a wide range of students from pre-school to adults, with many styles including classical, jazz and pop.
Mei-Tsen Chen, Piano, has been a piano instructor at The Conservatory since 1995. Her credits include accompanying at the Covenant Congregational Church in West Hartford, CT. She was Music Director and Organist at the United Methodist Church in Wethersfield, CT. Her academic pursuits have included a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Hartt School and a Bachelor of Music (cum laude) from SUNY at Fredonia where she was a recipient of the Bromeley Piano Scholarship. Ms. Chen’s previous teaching credits include private piano instruction in Taiwan from 1986 -1990 and at Hartt School of Music.
Laura Bradley Cook, Voice, is a graduate of Bennington College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She then went on to obtain her Masters degree in Vocal Performance from Yale School of Music. Laura has taught in the City of Hartford Public Schools, Oddfellows Playhouse and Elmwood Community Center. She has also performed with the Connecticut Choral Artists, and The American Music and Theatre Group Inc.
David Cutright, Percussion, Drum set, is a pianist and composer with extensive performance and pedagogy experience. He received his BA Music from Lawrence University and is projected to complete his MM Composition from the Hartt School in spring 2008. Past teachers include composers Larry Alan Smith, Juliana Hall, Joanne Metcalf, and Phillipe Bodin, as well as pianists Anthony Padilla and Rebecca Kugler. Mr. Cutright has appeared around the country performing concert piano repertoire and premiering his own works. He co-founded and formerly served as president of Lawrence University's EMC, an active electronic music society. David is currently director of the Hartt School Composers Ensemble, University of Hartford, where he studies Composition with Robert Carl. Recent performances include new music series at Dartmouth College and the Hartt School. Recent collaborations include his Duo for Flute and Piano premiered with flautist Alisa Willis, and concerts with composer-pianist Michael Trinastic and pianist Ellen Swan-Dixon. At the Waukesha Conservatory in Milwaukee, David completed his ninth year teaching piano and composition. He has also performed his music alongside composers Tim Brady, Lawrence Fritz, and Mark Applebaum.
Dave Dana, Jazz guitar, BS, SCSU. Studied with Frank D’Amato, Vincent Bredice, Jimmy Raney and Linc Chamberland. Appeared or recorded with: Buddy Rich, Urbie Green, Henry Mancini, Bill Conti, Liberace, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Leslie Uggams, Toots Thielemans, Stevie Wonder, Redd Foxx, Paquito D’Rivera and Carl Fontana. Appearances on HBO, Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.
Bob DePalma, Jazz Sax, Flute, Clarinet, performed with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Pops, and the New England Jazz Ensemble. He has performed with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, the Temptations, and Frank Sinatra over the years. He has also recorded and played with Buddy Morrow. Mr. DePalma studied at Hartt School.
Linda J. Embser, Suzuki Violin; Chair, Suzuki Department graduated from the Hartt School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. She was the winner of the Young Artist Competition at the Second Congregational Church. Before coming to the Conservatory Linda was the Concertmistress for the Hartford Stage Company and principal second violin for the Connecticut String Orchestra.
Giacomo Gates, Jazz Vocal Coach, performs regularly at national and internationally acclaimed Jazz Festivals, and has recorded several C.D.'s. His most recent CD, 'Fly Rite', was in the top 20 of the National Charts in 1999. He has been written up in Jazz Times, Down Beat Magazine, Jazz Scene Magazine, Toronto Jazz, and New York Times, as well as locally in the Hartford Courant and the New Haven Register. He regularly appears in large arenas such as Foxwoods Casino and Mohegan Sun.
Dave Giardina, Classical and Latin Guitar, studied in US and Spain, receiving his B.A. from St. Anselm College, Longy School of Music. Dave performs and teaches in the styles of classical, Latin and standard jazz, blues and flamenco. An award recipient, 12 year member of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, he performs throughout the Northeast and is featured on the latest Connecticut Classical Guitar Society Recording.
Sylvia F. Goldstein, Chair, Piano Department, graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and earned her Masters in Music degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Before coming to the Conservatory Sylvia was an adjudicator for piano and music competitions. She has also been involved with the Meriden Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Massachusetts State Music Teachers Association and Manchester Young Artists.
David Keith, Percussion, is a percussionist, singer, teacher, and composer. He has been playing professionally for the past 18 years, providing the beat for rock, pop, swing, R&B, industrial, jazz and cabaret acts around New England. He has toured the nation and numerous European countries with several regional bands. He currently plays djembe in the Keith and Mazer Trio, and plays and composes with the experimental pop-electronic group Indigen.
Barbara Lewis, Voice, has been active in the professional music scenes in Miami, Los Angeles, Charlotte, and now Hartford for over 20 years. She has been featured on two Grammy Award nominated releases; won Downbeat Magazine’s Outstanding Performance Award; toured the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe as a backing vocalist with Al Martino; and toured Brazil with the Ray Conniff Singers. Her voice has been featured on national and international radio and television. Throughout her career, she has balanced her love for performing with her dedication to teaching. Barbara is a graduate of the University of Miami’s acclaimed Studio Music and Jazz Vocal program.
Susan Lowenkron, Flute, Recorder, received her Bachelors Degree in Music from Eastman School of Music and her Masters Degree from Hartt School of Music. She has also studied with Bartold Kuijken, 1977-78. She is the winner of the Bodky Award for Early Music, Boston Renaissance Consort, is the founder and artistic director of Tapestry, and is a performing member of Different Village (international folkdance ensemble). She performs in the Greater Hartford community playing flutes, recorders, krumhorn, whistles, and harp. Her teaching experience includes Thames Valley Music School and Connecticut College.
Jim Martin, Music Theory, Guitar, received his BA in Music from Berklee College of Music and his MA from Manhattan School of Music. He has studied privately with Linc Chamberland, Jack Wilkins, and Rodney Jones as well as participating in Master Classes with Lenny Breau. He is a professional performing artist and instructor throughout New England. He is the author of the Guitar Workshop Series and is co-author of the Hiplines Book. He also teaches at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, and The Center for Creative Youth at Wesleyan.
Susan Mazer, Dean of Students, Ear Training, Musicianship, Music Pedagogy, received her bachelor of music degree from the Hartt School of Music and continues her studies in theory pedagogy. In addition to teaching at The Conservatory, she teaches at Naugatuck Valley Community College, and was the first female guitar instructor to teach at the National Guitar Workshop. Susan has been performing for the last 20 years and now plays with the Keith and Mazer Trio. She is the author of several instructional books, including the popular book/ DVD series Guitar for the Absolute Beginner (Alfred Publishing). She is currently teaching online guitar lessons at WorkshopLive.com. www.susanmazermusic.com
Stephanie Miller, Suzuki Piano, is a graduate of Bennington College in Vermont, where she majored in Music. She has a Masters in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University. She taught first and third grade at private schools (including Independent Day School) for twenty years, adding her experience about how children learn. She has taught traditional piano lessons for more than twenty years and Suzuki Piano for more than fifteen years. She is certified to teach Suzuki Piano through Volume 4. She trained with first generation Teacher Trainers: Valery Lloyd-Watts, Robert Fraley, Leena Crothers, Jeanne Luedke, Connie Starr, Yasuko Joichi, and Haruko Kataoka, who was the original head of Dr. Suzuki’s Piano Department at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. She teaches at her studios in Portland, CT, and the Community Music School in Centerbrook .
Tom Monaghan, Guitar, Drum set, graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance and a Concentration in Music in Education. He regularly performs throughout New England and New York either as a percussionist, guitarist, or vocalist. He has performed with Hankus Netsky, Frank Carlberg, Michael Winograd and Jorge Roeder and has studied with Gary Chaffee, Billy Hart , Bob Moses, Joe Maneri and Cecil McBee. Tom has composed over 100 original works that draw from such diverse traditions as 12 tone technique, klezmer, third stream, jazz and rock n’ roll.
Ronald Moore, Suzuki Violin, graduated from Oberlin College with a Bachelors Degree in music. He received his public school teacher certification and Masters degree from the University of Iowa. Before coming to the Conservatory Ronald taught at Suzuki Music Schools in New Haven and Newtown. Ronald has also played with Roanoke Symphony and is currently the concertmaster for the Cheshire Symphony.
Justin Ottaviano, Drums and Percussion, has been studying and performing on drums since he was 8 years old. In high school Justin was the winner of the Judges Choice Award at Berklee School of Music. He has also received best soloist award at University of Connecticut. He went to the University of North Texas, which is noted for Big Band Jazz. There he studied under Ed Soph and performed with their noted Lab Bands. Justin is currently performing around the Connecticut and New York area. He has performed with Jazz musicians such as, Christian McBride, Andrew Beals, Jimmy Greene, and Ralph Lalama. He has also studied under the following drummers Matt Wilson, Dave Weckl, Ian Froman, Richie LePore, Bob Gullotti, and Jesse Hameen II.
Hans Twitchell, Cello, Humanities, holds a Doctorate in Music Arts from University of Connecticut and a Master in Music from the Hartt School. He has performed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Brazil and Argentina in recital and in various chamber ensembles. As a winner of the Emerson Quartet Competition in 1999 he performed the Schubert String Quintet as the guest of that ensemble. He has held the posts of principal cellist of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra in Texas and co-principal cellist of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, and has recorded on the New England Viola da Gamba Society Record Label. He is a member of the Connecticut Virtuosi chamber orchestra and is on the faculties of the Community School of the Arts in Mansfield, CT.
Jay Wood, History of Jazz, Drums, has been playing drums his whole life. He began his studies at the age of 12 under Randy Kaye and Art Perretta, and Joe McCarthy of The University of Hartford. He then pursued a degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas. After college, Jay played with a variety of musical situations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including Edie Brickell, Hillary Tipps, and Catapult. In 1999, he co-founded The Kelvins, an original rock band that garnered considerable success in New England; nominated 3 years in a row for Best Original Rock Band, with Jay nominated as Best Drummer. The Kelvins were the opening act for Living Colour in New Haven, Boston, and North Hampton. Jay has also traveled and played all over New England with the Hartford based cover band Zoom and the highly successful Jimmy Buffett tribute band Changes in Latitudes. Jay continues to play with various acts in the CT area. Currently, you can find him teaching at Dynamic Percussion in Manchester.
Chai-Lun Yueh, Chair, Voice Department, graduated from the Music Conservatory in Beijing and received his Masters in Music from the Hartt School. He is a baritone who performs throughout the region including such venues as Carnegie Hall, Wesleyan University, and Central Connecticut State University. He has performed in numerous opera productions nationally and internationally. He is also a professor at Wesleyan and Central Connecticut State University.
Marshall Brown, Trombone, holds BM & MM degrees from the University of Michigan and an Artist Diploma from The Hartt School. He is currently Music Director/Conductor of the Bristol (CT) Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Waterbury (CT) and Wallingford (CT) Symphony Orchestras. Mr. Brown was former music director of the Montgomery (AL) Symphony Orchestra and instructor of lower brass at Alabama State University.
Linda Cabral, Piano, has been playing and performing piano since she was a child. She graduated from The Hartford Conservatory of Music where she studied music pedagogy. She also earned an undergraduate and graduate degrees fro Central Connecticut State University in psychology and counseling. Linda often combines her education and musical talent when performing for nursing homes and other health care facilities. Linda currently teaches at The Music Shop and has been on the faculty of the Hartford Conservatory since 2003. She teaches a wide range of students from pre-school to adults, with many styles including classical, jazz and pop.
Mei-Tsen Chen, Piano, has been a piano instructor at The Conservatory since 1995. Her credits include accompanying at the Covenant Congregational Church in West Hartford, CT. She was Music Director and Organist at the United Methodist Church in Wethersfield, CT. Her academic pursuits have included a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Hartt School and a Bachelor of Music (cum laude) from SUNY at Fredonia where she was a recipient of the Bromeley Piano Scholarship. Ms. Chen’s previous teaching credits include private piano instruction in Taiwan from 1986 -1990 and at Hartt School of Music.
Laura Bradley Cook, Voice, is a graduate of Bennington College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She then went on to obtain her Masters degree in Vocal Performance from Yale School of Music. Laura has taught in the City of Hartford Public Schools, Oddfellows Playhouse and Elmwood Community Center. She has also performed with the Connecticut Choral Artists, and The American Music and Theatre Group Inc.
David Cutright, Percussion, Drum set, is a pianist and composer with extensive performance and pedagogy experience. He received his BA Music from Lawrence University and is projected to complete his MM Composition from the Hartt School in spring 2008. Past teachers include composers Larry Alan Smith, Juliana Hall, Joanne Metcalf, and Phillipe Bodin, as well as pianists Anthony Padilla and Rebecca Kugler. Mr. Cutright has appeared around the country performing concert piano repertoire and premiering his own works. He co-founded and formerly served as president of Lawrence University's EMC, an active electronic music society. David is currently director of the Hartt School Composers Ensemble, University of Hartford, where he studies Composition with Robert Carl. Recent performances include new music series at Dartmouth College and the Hartt School. Recent collaborations include his Duo for Flute and Piano premiered with flautist Alisa Willis, and concerts with composer-pianist Michael Trinastic and pianist Ellen Swan-Dixon. At the Waukesha Conservatory in Milwaukee, David completed his ninth year teaching piano and composition. He has also performed his music alongside composers Tim Brady, Lawrence Fritz, and Mark Applebaum.
Dave Dana, Jazz guitar, BS, SCSU. Studied with Frank D’Amato, Vincent Bredice, Jimmy Raney and Linc Chamberland. Appeared or recorded with: Buddy Rich, Urbie Green, Henry Mancini, Bill Conti, Liberace, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Leslie Uggams, Toots Thielemans, Stevie Wonder, Redd Foxx, Paquito D’Rivera and Carl Fontana. Appearances on HBO, Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.
Bob DePalma, Jazz Sax, Flute, Clarinet, performed with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Pops, and the New England Jazz Ensemble. He has performed with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, the Temptations, and Frank Sinatra over the years. He has also recorded and played with Buddy Morrow. Mr. DePalma studied at Hartt School.
Linda J. Embser, Suzuki Violin; Chair, Suzuki Department graduated from the Hartt School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. She was the winner of the Young Artist Competition at the Second Congregational Church. Before coming to the Conservatory Linda was the Concertmistress for the Hartford Stage Company and principal second violin for the Connecticut String Orchestra.
Giacomo Gates, Jazz Vocal Coach, performs regularly at national and internationally acclaimed Jazz Festivals, and has recorded several C.D.'s. His most recent CD, 'Fly Rite', was in the top 20 of the National Charts in 1999. He has been written up in Jazz Times, Down Beat Magazine, Jazz Scene Magazine, Toronto Jazz, and New York Times, as well as locally in the Hartford Courant and the New Haven Register. He regularly appears in large arenas such as Foxwoods Casino and Mohegan Sun.
Dave Giardina, Classical and Latin Guitar, studied in US and Spain, receiving his B.A. from St. Anselm College, Longy School of Music. Dave performs and teaches in the styles of classical, Latin and standard jazz, blues and flamenco. An award recipient, 12 year member of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, he performs throughout the Northeast and is featured on the latest Connecticut Classical Guitar Society Recording.
Sylvia F. Goldstein, Chair, Piano Department, graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and earned her Masters in Music degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Before coming to the Conservatory Sylvia was an adjudicator for piano and music competitions. She has also been involved with the Meriden Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Massachusetts State Music Teachers Association and Manchester Young Artists.
David Keith, Percussion, is a percussionist, singer, teacher, and composer. He has been playing professionally for the past 18 years, providing the beat for rock, pop, swing, R&B, industrial, jazz and cabaret acts around New England. He has toured the nation and numerous European countries with several regional bands. He currently plays djembe in the Keith and Mazer Trio, and plays and composes with the experimental pop-electronic group Indigen.
Barbara Lewis, Voice, has been active in the professional music scenes in Miami, Los Angeles, Charlotte, and now Hartford for over 20 years. She has been featured on two Grammy Award nominated releases; won Downbeat Magazine’s Outstanding Performance Award; toured the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe as a backing vocalist with Al Martino; and toured Brazil with the Ray Conniff Singers. Her voice has been featured on national and international radio and television. Throughout her career, she has balanced her love for performing with her dedication to teaching. Barbara is a graduate of the University of Miami’s acclaimed Studio Music and Jazz Vocal program.
Susan Lowenkron, Flute, Recorder, received her Bachelors Degree in Music from Eastman School of Music and her Masters Degree from Hartt School of Music. She has also studied with Bartold Kuijken, 1977-78. She is the winner of the Bodky Award for Early Music, Boston Renaissance Consort, is the founder and artistic director of Tapestry, and is a performing member of Different Village (international folkdance ensemble). She performs in the Greater Hartford community playing flutes, recorders, krumhorn, whistles, and harp. Her teaching experience includes Thames Valley Music School and Connecticut College.
Jim Martin, Music Theory, Guitar, received his BA in Music from Berklee College of Music and his MA from Manhattan School of Music. He has studied privately with Linc Chamberland, Jack Wilkins, and Rodney Jones as well as participating in Master Classes with Lenny Breau. He is a professional performing artist and instructor throughout New England. He is the author of the Guitar Workshop Series and is co-author of the Hiplines Book. He also teaches at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, and The Center for Creative Youth at Wesleyan.
Susan Mazer, Dean of Students, Ear Training, Musicianship, Music Pedagogy, received her bachelor of music degree from the Hartt School of Music and continues her studies in theory pedagogy. In addition to teaching at The Conservatory, she teaches at Naugatuck Valley Community College, and was the first female guitar instructor to teach at the National Guitar Workshop. Susan has been performing for the last 20 years and now plays with the Keith and Mazer Trio. She is the author of several instructional books, including the popular book/ DVD series Guitar for the Absolute Beginner (Alfred Publishing). She is currently teaching online guitar lessons at WorkshopLive.com. www.susanmazermusic.com
Stephanie Miller, Suzuki Piano, is a graduate of Bennington College in Vermont, where she majored in Music. She has a Masters in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University. She taught first and third grade at private schools (including Independent Day School) for twenty years, adding her experience about how children learn. She has taught traditional piano lessons for more than twenty years and Suzuki Piano for more than fifteen years. She is certified to teach Suzuki Piano through Volume 4. She trained with first generation Teacher Trainers: Valery Lloyd-Watts, Robert Fraley, Leena Crothers, Jeanne Luedke, Connie Starr, Yasuko Joichi, and Haruko Kataoka, who was the original head of Dr. Suzuki’s Piano Department at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. She teaches at her studios in Portland, CT, and the Community Music School in Centerbrook .
Tom Monaghan, Guitar, Drum set, graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance and a Concentration in Music in Education. He regularly performs throughout New England and New York either as a percussionist, guitarist, or vocalist. He has performed with Hankus Netsky, Frank Carlberg, Michael Winograd and Jorge Roeder and has studied with Gary Chaffee, Billy Hart , Bob Moses, Joe Maneri and Cecil McBee. Tom has composed over 100 original works that draw from such diverse traditions as 12 tone technique, klezmer, third stream, jazz and rock n’ roll.
Ronald Moore, Suzuki Violin, graduated from Oberlin College with a Bachelors Degree in music. He received his public school teacher certification and Masters degree from the University of Iowa. Before coming to the Conservatory Ronald taught at Suzuki Music Schools in New Haven and Newtown. Ronald has also played with Roanoke Symphony and is currently the concertmaster for the Cheshire Symphony.
Justin Ottaviano, Drums and Percussion, has been studying and performing on drums since he was 8 years old. In high school Justin was the winner of the Judges Choice Award at Berklee School of Music. He has also received best soloist award at University of Connecticut. He went to the University of North Texas, which is noted for Big Band Jazz. There he studied under Ed Soph and performed with their noted Lab Bands. Justin is currently performing around the Connecticut and New York area. He has performed with Jazz musicians such as, Christian McBride, Andrew Beals, Jimmy Greene, and Ralph Lalama. He has also studied under the following drummers Matt Wilson, Dave Weckl, Ian Froman, Richie LePore, Bob Gullotti, and Jesse Hameen II.
Hans Twitchell, Cello, Humanities, holds a Doctorate in Music Arts from University of Connecticut and a Master in Music from the Hartt School. He has performed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Brazil and Argentina in recital and in various chamber ensembles. As a winner of the Emerson Quartet Competition in 1999 he performed the Schubert String Quintet as the guest of that ensemble. He has held the posts of principal cellist of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra in Texas and co-principal cellist of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, and has recorded on the New England Viola da Gamba Society Record Label. He is a member of the Connecticut Virtuosi chamber orchestra and is on the faculties of the Community School of the Arts in Mansfield, CT.
Jay Wood, History of Jazz, Drums, has been playing drums his whole life. He began his studies at the age of 12 under Randy Kaye and Art Perretta, and Joe McCarthy of The University of Hartford. He then pursued a degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas. After college, Jay played with a variety of musical situations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including Edie Brickell, Hillary Tipps, and Catapult. In 1999, he co-founded The Kelvins, an original rock band that garnered considerable success in New England; nominated 3 years in a row for Best Original Rock Band, with Jay nominated as Best Drummer. The Kelvins were the opening act for Living Colour in New Haven, Boston, and North Hampton. Jay has also traveled and played all over New England with the Hartford based cover band Zoom and the highly successful Jimmy Buffett tribute band Changes in Latitudes. Jay continues to play with various acts in the CT area. Currently, you can find him teaching at Dynamic Percussion in Manchester.
Chai-Lun Yueh, Chair, Voice Department, graduated from the Music Conservatory in Beijing and received his Masters in Music from the Hartt School. He is a baritone who performs throughout the region including such venues as Carnegie Hall, Wesleyan University, and Central Connecticut State University. He has performed in numerous opera productions nationally and internationally. He is also a professor at Wesleyan and Central Connecticut State University.
