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Faculty List
Faculty and Counselor List |
Amy Shirk, Director (Spotsylvania) |
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B.S. Music Education from Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, piano and saxophone. Before moving to Virginia,
Amy taught piano and organ at the Mohawk Valley School of Music in Utica, NY. With 12 years teaching experience,
she now runs a very active private studio in Spotsylvania, teaching piano, organ, and saxophone.
Amy is also the Instrumental Music Director at Holy Cross Academy, Stafford, where she directs the band, strings,
piano, and recorder programs.
As an accompanist, Amy has accompanied numerous All-County, District, and All-State choral festivals and competitions
in Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. As a saxophonist, Amy has performed with the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra,
Fredericksburg Jazz Ensemble, and plays saxophone and keyboards for Alias, a local dance and wedding horn band.
Amy has served as Organist and Choir Director at numerous churches throughout Pennsylvania, New York, and
Virginia since she was 14. Some of the positions include the Mountaintop Presbyterian Church in Mountaintop, PA,
Griffis Air Force Base in Rome, NY, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica, NY. She currently serves as Organist
at the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church.
At the Encore Music Camp of PA, Amy taught piano classes and accompanied several choirs, soloists, and theater groups.
She has served as an adjudicator for piano Festivals and competitions in both New York state and Virginia.
Amy performs regularly as both a soloist and accompanist in the Fredericksburg area. Professional affiliations include
VFMC, MTNA, and the Rappahannock Music Society, where Amy served as a past Vice-President.
Amy is also the author of several early level methods for rhythm and music literacy.
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Kevin Bartram (Fredericksburg), Orchestra, Conducting. |
| Kevin Patrick Bartram is completing his fifth year as orchestra director at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, after having served as assistant professor and orchestra director at Gettysburg College, in Pennsylvania. Dr. Bartram received his doctor of musical arts in music education from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia, and he has degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia in orchestral conducting and Northwestern University in music education.
At UMW, Dr. Bartram teaches courses in music education and conducting. He is active as an adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician, having conducted all-county orchestras and judged orchestra and band festivals throughout the region. He is a judge for Music in the Parks and Festivals of Music, Inc. throughout the East Coast. In 1999, Dr. Bartram was a conducting intern with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and has been the assistant conductor of the Missouri Symphony as well as the founder and director of the Maryland Wind Symphony. He is the author of the textbook Introduction to Music Technology, and has authored several articles that have appeared in publications such as the Music Educators Journal and the The Instrumentalist Magazine.
Dr. Bartram is the secretary/treasurer of the College Orchestra Directors Association (Southern Division), and the research chair of the Virginia Music Educators Association. He is a member of the College Orchestra Directors Association, MENC, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. His primary conducting teachers have included John P. Paynter, Edward Dolbashian, Dale J. Lonis, and Daniel Hege. He has two sons, Nicholas, age 2, and William, age 3 months.
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Damien Bollino (Fredericksburg), French Horn, Brass Ensemble, Ear Training. |
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B.M. in music performance, West Virginia University; M.M. in music performance, Duquesne University; studied with Dr. Virginia Thompson and William Caballero; performances with Arion Band, American Musical Ambassadors-European Concert Tour, Duquesne Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary ensemble, chamber ensemble, WVU Horn Choir, Carnegie Hall concert with Duquesne wind symphony, International Horn Society Collegiate Horn Choir, Potomac Concert Band, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Seneca Chamber Winds, West Virginia University Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber winds ensemble, jazz band. Currently performing as Principal Horn in The Mary Washington Orchestra, section Horn in the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, and third Horn in the Washington Sinfonietta out of D.C. Active private lesson teacher at Forte Studios and schools around the area. |
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Mary Ann Casey (Spotsylvania), RSMC Chorus, Harp. |
| Over 30 years as a choral director in the Virginia public school system, specializing in working with the adolescent and changing voice. She has served as guest conductor and adjudicator for elementary, middle, and high school choirs around the state. Mary Ann and her husband, Larry, are the choirmasters at The Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg. Having studied harp with Jeanne Chalifoux, she has performed with numerous college orchestras and choirs during her career. Mrs. Casey served as President of the Virginia Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association from 2001-2003. | |
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Larry Casey (Spotsylvania), Orchestra. |
| Over 30 years experience in public schools, all levels, including Fauquier
County Schools and Prince William County Schools; presently at Forest Park HS,
conducting three orchestras and teaching music theory; Founding Conductor,
Fauquier Youth Symphony Orchestra; Founding Conductor of the Prince William
Youth Symphony Orchestra; Executive Board member and Assistant to the Orchestra
Conductor, Virginia Music Camp; Conductor, Administrative Assistant, and later
Director of the Shenandoah Conservatory Performing Arts Camp; Performances with
the North Carolina Symphony, the Charlotte Symphony, the Fayetteville Symphony,
the Fairfax Symphony, the Mount Vernon Chamber Orchestra, the Prince William
Symphony and free lance in Northern Virginia; Conducted Regional Orchestras in
every Region in Virginia; Guest Conductor and clinician at JMU Spring String
Thing; Numerous All County Orchestras throughout Virginia; Conducted Middle
School Strings and Symphony Orchestra at the Shenandoah PAC; Associate
Choirmaster at the Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg; R. and S. Chair for
Music and Worship - Virginia Choral Director's Association. | |
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Lane Drum (Fredericksburg), Guitar. |
| Bachelor of Arts in classical guitar performance, Virginia Commonwealth University, also the Berklee College of Music. Teachers include Jon Damian, Mike Ess, Corey Blake, and John Patykula. Lane has taught privately in Richmond and Garwood, New Jersey, including classical, jazz, rock, bluegrass, and acousitc solo genres. Currently, he teaches at the Forte Music Studios and Pickers Supply. Lane has performed in New York City in various locations, including the Knitting Factory. He currently freelances and performs in the Fredericksburg area.
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John Easley (Fredericksburg), Concert Band. |
| Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma; music educator in the public schools for thirty-five years; awards include Region III's Virginia Teacher of the Year in 1990, the Legion of Honor Award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 1993, the VBODA's Sidney Berg Service Award in 1998, VBODA's Lifetime Achievement Award and Phi Beta Mu's Hall of Fame Award in 2003; served as chairman of District I's Instrumental Division; serves as guest conductor, presenter and adjudicator throughout Virginia and parts of North Carolina; directs a church choir, performs with the Fredericksburg Big Band and tutors instrumentalists privately. | |
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Jim Ford (Fredericksburg), Trumpet, Jazz Styles. |
| Jim attended the University of Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg, earning his Bachelor of Music Education degree in May 1980. From 1980 to 1982, he worked as a high school band director.
Prior to entering the Marine Corps, his professional experience included study under Mike Vax, prior lead trumpeter with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, and performances with various artists including Ray Eberle, Myron Floren, Bill Watrous, Marvin Stamm, Rich Matteson, Dan Hearle, Bob Hope and others. He has performed with the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus and has written arrangements for and performed on numerous recording projects for artists, ranging in style from pop to gospel.
Enlisting in the Marine Corps in July 1982, he completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island as the Honor Graduate. In October 1982, he reported to the Armed Forces School of Music, Norfolk, Virginia, where he accelerated through the Basic Music Course. He reported to his first duty station, the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Band in New Orleans, Louisiana, in January 1983, where he served as trumpet soloist and received the secondary MOS of 5567, Band Arranger. During this tour, he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and Sergeant.
In June 1988, he returned to the School of Music for the Enlisted Band Leader's Course. After graduating in April 1989, he joined the faculty as a rehearsal conductor and trumpet instructor. In June 1989, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He was appointed a Warrant Officer in February 1992 and transferred to The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation, he was assigned as the Band Officer of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Band, San Diego in August 1992 and promoted to CWO2 in August 1993. In August 1996, he took charge of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band in Okinawa Japan, and was promoted to CWO3 in December 1998. He assumed his current duties at Headquarters, Marine Corps in September 2002, and was promoted to CWO4 in January 2003.
Chief Warrant Officer Ford's military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (third award), National Defense Service Medal (second award). Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with silver star). |  |
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Doug Gately (Fredericksburg), Flute, Flute Choir. |
| Doug is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Mary Washington. He directs the Jazz Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, and is the principle instructor of applied studies in flute, clarinet and saxophone. He is an active performer as well as an educator. As a multi-instrumentalist, specializing in woodwinds, Doug works within various jazz and classical genres including clinics, solo appearances, chamber, and club date performances. He has toured and performed throughout the United States, Canada, South America, and Europe. Doug is credited with numerous studio recordings as well as making radio and television appearances. He is a former Artist/Clinician with Boosey & Hawkes/Buffet Clarinets. Doug has performed with many prestigious performing artists and groups. Credits include performances with Doc Severinson, Arturo Sandoval, Dizzy Gillespie, Henry Mancini, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennet, Nancy Wilson, Temptations, the Manhatten Transfer, Airmen of Note, and the National Symphony Orchestra. Doug fronts his own groups, the Doug Gately Trio, Studio Six, and Son de Noche.
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Elayne Harris (Spotsylvania), Piano, Beginning Piano. |
| Music Education candidate (2009), James Madison University, with a concentration in percussion. Thirteen years experience on piano. Youth "Festival of the Arts"
participant. Superior ratings in the Rappahannock Music Society's Piano Festival,
Jazz Festival piano solo and duet, Sonata Festival piano solo, and National
Festival piano solo and duet. Currently serves as an accompanist for students in the JMU
School of Music. First chair district band percussion and All-State qualified percussion. Section leader of pit percussion for Courtland High School's Royal Brigade Marching Band. Currently a percussionist for JMU's Symphonic Band.
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Christine Hartigan (Spotsylvania), Cello. |
| Owner of Forte Music Studios; Private instructor, 10 years; Theory and
conducting studies at MWC; Applied studies with members of the Richmond
Symphony Orchestra, NSO and master classes with world renowned cellist; Performances
with PWSO, MWC Orchestra, RPO, select quartet and chamber ensembles, Chamber
Chorale of Fredericksburg. |
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Katy Hichborn (Stafford), Piano, Accompanist, Beginning Piano, Accompanying. |
| B.S. in Education, with music emphasis, from Northern Arizona University on
full scholarship for accompanying; president of her college chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota;
past accompanist for the RB Chorale in northern San Diego County, the
Fredericksburg Singers and the Women's Chorale at (then) Mary Washington
College; founder and accompanist for the Stafford Regional Choral Society;
currently performs with the Fredericksburg Big Band; accompanist for several area schools
and voice teachers; accompanist for three area community theaters; musical
director for Bowling Green Community Theatre. | |
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Chris Hogan (Fairfax), Composition. |
| Christopher Hogan recently earned his M.M. in Music Theory and Composition
from the University of Louisville, where he also taught undergraduate music
theory. A 2003 graduate of Mary Washington College, he was the Director of
Instrumental Music and music theory teacher at Paul VI Catholic High School
in Fairfax, VA until 2005. He has written numerous compositions for a
variety of ensembles, including two commissioned works for the Mary
Washington Wind & Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Craig Naylor. Also active in musical theatre, he has held the position of musical director
for several high school and communtiy productions, and was Assistant Musical
Director and pianist for Fredericksburg Theatre Company's productions of I
Do I Do and Little Shop of Horrors.
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John Jonas (Fredericksburg), Trombone. |
| Trombone
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Ross Marshall (Fredericksburg), Percussion. |
| Ross is currently pursuing a degree in Music Performance at the University of Mary Washington, where he plays drumset in the UMW Jazz Ensemble led by Doug Gately and is a percussionist in the Wind & Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Craig T. Naylor. He also plays with various jazz groups around the Fredericksburg area as well as his own indie-rock band Tereu Tereu which has played all around the Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Washington D.C. areas. Ross studied drumset with Ben Tufts in Northern Virginia before coming to UMW and now studies drumset and percussion with Marshall Maley at the University.
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Rebecca Maxon (Fredericksburg), Cello. |
| Ms. Maxon holds a B.M. in Cello Performance from Mercyhurst College, and a M.S. in Music Education from Mansfield University. She teaches strings at Courtland and Massaponax High Schools, and intermediate and advanced cellists at Forte Music Studios. Rebecca maintains an active performance schedule, playing solo and chamber music recitals in the area and appearing frequently with singer-songwriter Brady Earnhart. Ms. Maxon has also performed with the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra, and the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic.
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Craig Naylor (Fredericksburg), Concert Band. |
| Craig Thomas Naylor is an active composer with numerous commissions whose compositions have been played worldwide by ensembles ranging from elementary school band to the orchestral soundtrack for the IMAX film "To The Limit."
His commissions include the Los Angeles Concert Orchestra, the Los Angeles Moravian Trombone Choir, the Music Association of California Community Colleges, the Wind Ensembles of the Universities of Georgia, Idaho, California at Los Angeles, and numerous community college, high, middle and elementary school choirs, bands, and orchestras. He has received two NEA-sponsored Continental Harmony commission/residencies from the American Composers Forum.
His fanfare, On The Head of a Pin, opened the Dallas Wind Symphony concert in February 2006.
In 2006 Craig conducted the first-ever concert of wind music composed exclusively by American Indian composers. This concert was presented in November 2006 at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. and at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage.
Craig earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California and Masters and Doctorate degrees in Composition from the University of Southern California where he studied with Stephen Hartke, Morten Lauridsen, Frederick Lesemann, Robert Linn and Buddy Baker. He has been a fellow at the Aspen Music School where he studied with Michael Czajkowski. An active educator, Craig has taught in four states, all ages kindergarten through university graduate, and holds teaching certificates in California and Montana, where he was awarded an Individual Fellowship, the state Arts Council's recognition of high achievement. He is currently Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches music theory and coordinates the Electronic Music Studio. Craig received UMW's Outstanding Young Faculty award in 2006.
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Aaron Noe (King George), Trumpet, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Improv. |
| Aaron Noe has been on the professional scene for over 10 years. Since his arrival in the 90s, his career has been two-fold as both a soloist and educator.
The solo sounds of Noe's trumpet have been heard
through out the United States. He is in demand as a free-
lance artist, concert soloist, and band leader.
As a free-lance artist, his sound has been heard in concert
with such artists as Freddie Cole, the Jimmy Dorsey Big
Band, and the Okayssions. He can also be heard on
Keith Wesby's latest CD Once and Again.
As a band leader, you can find Aaron Noe leading his Big Band,
the Aaron Noe Jazz Orchestra and his quartet,the Aaron Noe
Jazz 4, in performances at a variety of venues. The Aaron Noe
Jazz Ensembles have been featured at some of the finest jazz
clubs and festivals.
Aaron Noe is currently the Director of Bands at King George High School in King George,
VA. He has held this position since the Spring of 2002. During his tenure, Noe has seen
the ensembles grow both musically and in size to become recognized as a Superior
ensemble at both State and National events. In 2006, the King George Royal Regiment
won its first national marching band title (class 1A) at the USSBA All-States
Championships in Hershey, PA.
Before joining the faculty at King George High School, Noe held positions at secondary
schools in Virginia and South Carolina and directed the Swing Shift Jazz Ensemble at the
University of South Carolina. Aaron Noe has also served on the faculty of the
Rappahannock Music Camp since 2004.
Aaron Noe holds degrees from Greensboro College (BS, Music Education) and Virginia
Commonwealth University (MM, Music Education, jazz emphasis). Aaron Noe has
studied trumpet and jazz with Rex Richardson, Roger Pemberton, Bert Ligon, Keith
Amstutz, Anita Cirba, and Neil Clegg. Aaron Noe is a member of the Intenational
Association for Jazz Education, Music Educators National Conference, and the Virginia
Band and Orchestra Directors Association. |  |
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John Oplinger (Fredericksburg), Viola, String Quartet, Theory. |
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B.A. in Music, Mary Washington College, M.Ed, Troy University. Formerly
taught in Virginia in Fredericksburg City and Orange County Schools, all
levels. Currently conducts two orchestras and teaches theory classes at
Leonardtown High School in Leonardtown, Maryland. Has performed with
the Mary Washington Orchestra, NOVA/Manassas Orchestra, Rappahannock
Pops Orchestra, and various quartets and ensembles.
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Scott Shirk (Spotsylvania), Saxophone, Saxophone Ensemble. |
| B.S. Music Education and Performance, Ithaca College. Founder, Lead Man and
performer in Alias. Instrumental Music Director, Louisa High School;
Performances with the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra, Fredericksburg Big Band.
Lead Alto Saxophone in Grammy-Nominated Jan Lewan Orchestra; Voting member of
NARAS; Recital Soloist. |  |
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Ben Titus (Louisa), Clarinet, Bass Guitar |
| Ben holds a BM in Music Education (PreK-12 Instrumental) from Longwood University. He studied clarinet with Charles Kinzer and Richmond Symphony alum David Niethamer. While at Longwood, Ben remained an active bass player, studying jazz with Charles Kinzer and eventually becoming the top bassist in the music department for his last two years in school. He recently finished his student teaching in Spotsylvania County.
Since becoming a free-lance bass player in 2005, Ben has developed a reputation as a jazz, blues, and rock bassist in the Central and Northern Virginia areas. He has performed with a number of local legends, including Mike Cappetto, Marc Wygal, Lisa Lim, Toby Fairchild, and about half of the Rappahannock Summer Music Camp staff. He is also a full time bassist for a number of established groups in the Fredericksburg area. Ben teaches bass, clarinet, and beginning guitar at Roberson's Music in Fredericksburg and privately in Spotsylvania and Louisa County. | |
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Jeremy Vaughn (Fredericksburg), French Horn. |
| A graduate of Chancellor High School in 2003, Jeremy is studying Music
Composition and Historic Preservation at the University of Mary
Washington. Currently in his first senior year, he is an active member
of the Wind Ensemble under Dr. Craig Naylor, the University Community
Symphony Orchestra under Dr. Kevin Bartram, and also the UMW Jazz
Ensemble led by Doug Gately. Recent composition projects include
songs and background music to an adaptation of Shakespeare's "Love's
Labour's Lost", which was presented by the UMW Theatre department and
took place Spring of 2006. Jeremy also is one of eight composers who
submitted an application for the UMW Fight song competition, which
will be decided in Fall 2007. He has also been commissioned to
co-write an orchestral and vocal arrangement of the UMW Alma Mater for
the UMW Centennial Celebration in Spring of 2008.
Recently, Jeremy became the first student to ever conduct the UMW
Community Symphony Orchestra in its 34-year history. He plans to
pursue a master's degree in either Conducting or Museum Studies after
graduation in Spring 2008. | |
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Megan Von Dreau (Corinth, Texas), Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Theory. |
| Bachelor of Music, University of Colorado; Master of Music, University of
Oklahoma; Percussion Specialist - Carroll Independent School District,
Southlake TX; General Music Teacher - grades 5 and 6; Percussion Adjudicator
for District and Regional Bands; performances with the Boulder Philharmonic
Orchestra and Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra; Percussion Instructor for Blue
Knights Winter Drumline, Colorado Honor Band, Highlands Ranch High School
Marching Band, Highlands Ranch, CO, Williamsport Area High School Marching
Band, Williamsport PA. | |
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Ron Von Dreau (Corinth, Texas), Tuba, Euphonium, Brass Ensemble. |
| Bachelor of Music Performance, Eastman School of Music; Master of Music
Performance, University of Colorado; Oklahoma City University, Adjunct
Instructor of tuba and euphonium; Southern Nazarene University, Adjunct
Instructor of tuba; Free Lance Tubist in Dallas/Fort Worth Area; Low Brass
Adjudicator for District and Regional Bands; Low Brass Instructor, Lewisville
Independent School District, Flower Mound Texas; performances with Boulder
Philharmonic and Centennial Brass Quintet; Centennial Orchestra, Colorado
Chamber Brass, and Flatirons Brass Quintet. |  |
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Steve Wellman (Stafford), Voice, Select Choir, RMSC Chorus. |
| Mr. Wellman began studying piano and violin as a youngster and after a year of majoring in violin at the college level, he switched to singing and received his Bachelor of Music from North Carolina School of the Arts in 1974. He has done graduated work at Catholic University and George Washington University, and studied with William Beck, Seth McCoy and Jane White. For more than two decades, he was a member of the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters, both as a vocalist and as a conductor. Mr. Wellman is now a professor at George Washington University teaching voice. He has performed in numerous operas and musicals such as Carmen, Gianni Schicci, La Boheme, Carousel, Dialogues of the Carmelites and The Marriage of Figaro, and with the National Lyric Opera Company, Washington Civic Opera, National Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, Prince William Symphony, Georgetown Symphony, and Winston-Salem Opera Company.
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William Wassum (Spotsylvania), Violin, String Quartet, String Orchestra. |
| BA in Music Education and MA in Violin Performance, Marshall University,
Huntington, West Virginia; master classes with Mimi Zweig, Midori,
Dorothy DeLay, Jerrie Lucktenburg, Sergiu Schwartz, Alcestis Perry,
Benny Kim, Gerald Fischbach, and the Turtle Island String Quartet; 30
years of teaching in Texas, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Virginia;
Orchestra Director at Thornburg Middle School; Registered Suzuki violin
instructor for the Marshall University Preparatory Department for eight
years, and the Converse College Pre-College Department for three years;
faculty at the Sam Houston State University Summer String Camp for two
summers, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for 12 years; guest conductor for
the Hanover All-County Orchestra, the Chesterfield All-County Orchestra
and the Central Virginia Junior Regional Orchestra; performances as
Concertmaster with the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra, the Old Bridge
Chamber Orchestra, the Blue Lake Festival Orchestra, the Greater
Spartanburg Philharmonic and the Marshall University Community Symphony
Orchestra; other performances with the the Lynchburg Symphony, the
Washington Symphony, the Charlotte Philharmonic, the Spartanburg
Philharmonic, the Huntington Pops Orchestra, the Ohio Valley Symphony,
the West Virginia Symphony, the Brazos Symphony, the Charleston
Symphony, and the Huntington Chamber Orchestra; toured France in 2000 as
a violinist with the Blue Lake American String Quartet, and Blue Lake
Faculty Chamber Orchestra; as a violinist has accompanied many renowned
musicians and entertainers including, Sarah Brightman, Sandy Patti,
Zuill Bailey, Rita Coolidge, Jimmy and Donna Dean, Aaron Rosand, Anner
Bylsma, Andres Cardenes, Sergiu Schwartz, William Warfield, Marcus
Thompson, Shirley Jones, and Ray Stevens; and has sung in concert with
Michael Card. | |
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