 Paula Penna | Paula Penna (Director; Voice/Piano/Early Childhood Music Specialist) Master of Music Education degree in music education/arts administration (full scholarship), Florida State University School of Music. Bachelor of Music degree in music education, Manhattanville College, NY. Further studies in vocal performance at the Hartt School, University of Hartford. Taught in the public schools of New York and Connecticut for 7 years; has taught voice and piano for 19 years. Holds permanent certification in PreK-12 music education, State of New York and provisional certification in PreK-12 music education, State of Connecticut. Supervisory experience includes post as Associate Director of Educational Outreach at Manhattan School of Music, New York City. As a clinician, Vocal Soloist Adjudicator for the Nutmeg Show Choir Festival, Connecticut. Member of CMEA, MTNA, MENC, Musical Club of Hartford. Honors include Pi-Kappa Lambda International Music Honor Society, Full Scholarship and Teaching Assistantship, FSU, and the Presser Foundation Scholarship. Ms. Penna is happiest when around children, and absolutely loves the art and craft of teaching music. She resides in Manchester with her two musical daughters, ages 8 and 11. Ms. Penna can be emailed directly at paulap@musicmakersacademy.com |
 Susan Knapp Thomas | Susan Knapp Thomas (Harp) Susan Knapp Thomas, harpist, received her Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music, and is a well-known Chamber, Orchestral and Solo Concert Artist and teacher throughout Connecticut and Southern New England. Susan maintains an active seasonal schedule with The Hartford Symphony and the Waterbury Symphony, and performed as harpist for the U.S. Coast Guard Band from 1987-2002. Ms. Thomas is also on the faculty of Central Connecticut State University. Several of her students are repeat winners of several area competitions, and perform regularly. She has coached many student ensembles, and since 2002 has developed, marketed and run her own yearly student summer course program. Her students were first and second and third prize winners in the American Harp Society Connecticut Chapter Harp Competition in the spring of 2005. Ms. Thomas is a regular contributing writer to "The Harp Column" magazine. Ms. Thomas lives in Bloomfield with her husband, Brad, and their Australian Shepherds, Tillie and Pepper. When not playing the harp, Susan enjoys training and trialing her dogs in the sport of agility, traveling with her husband and anything outdoors. |
 Laura Krentzman | Laura Krentzman (Viola, Violin, Piano) Violist Laura Krentzman completed her undergraduate studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and graduate studies at the University of North Texas, where she studied with Carol Rodland and Susan Dubois. While at the University of North Texas, Laura studied Baroque viola performance with Cynthia Roberts and was principal viola of the Collegium Musicum. She has participated in many summer festivals, including the Henry Mancini Institute, Mimir Chamber Music Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Killington Music Festival, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Laura has performed in masterclasses with Kim Kashkashian, Helen Callus and Michelle LaCourse and has worked with Lawrence Dutton of the Emerson Quartet as well as Danny Seidenberg of the Turtle Island Quartet. In 2004, she was a soloist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and in 2008 with the University of North Texas Collegium Musicum. Since 2005, Laura has premiered and recorded numerous works by Boston-based composer Alla Elana Cohen. Currently Laura is attending the Hartt School where she studies with Rita Porfiris and is a member of the 20/20 program. |
 Jonathan Chatfield | Jonathan Chatfield (Piano, Jazz Studies) Bachelor of Arts, piano performance/jazz studies, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. Certified music teacher, grades k-12, with concentration in vocal direction. Jonathan has been a sought-after piano teacher for 15 years in Connecticut and Ohio. Pianist Jonathan Chatfield attended the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he majored in jazz piano performance. Now a resident of West Hartford, he also teaches piano at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts. Jonathan has recorded with Larry Coryell, Joel Rosenblatt, Lenny White and DJ Logic and performed with Claudio Roditti. Well-versed in the styles of both Latin and American Jazz, Jonathan began his study of Latin Jazz with now Grammy winner Charles Florez. Jonathan has also taught music at Avon High School, Kingswood-Oxford High School, the Learning Corridor, and the Center for Creative Youth. He is an avid performer, with credits including the Hartford Jazz Festival, Baltimore Blues Festival, Bluestock Festival (Memphis), Mohegan Sun Wolf Den, and CD credits on the Verve Label. Jonathan has just completed the second CD with the jazz-fusion group, Mystery Feet. He has performed and recorded with Latin jazz group, the Charles Flores Quartet, as well as leading his own original jazz trio. |
 Caitlin Meyer | Caitlin Meyer (Flute, Woodwinds, Piano, School Programs) Caitlin Meyer is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education with University Honors. She has been teaching private lessons for woodwinds, including double reeds, and piano for 8 years. She is an avid performer on flute and bassoon around Connecticut and New Hampshire and specializes in alto and bass flute. In August 2009, Ms. Meyer traveled to Tanzania to research how music can help children with post –traumatic street disorders overcome their disabilities. She lived for four months in a local village teaching ESL and general music as well as conducting her research and working with community outreach programs. Her teaching experience includes band at Old Saybrook Middle School in Old Saybrook CT, band and cultural music at Sanford Junior High School and Sanford Senior High School in Sanford ME, ESL and general music at the Iringa International School in Iringa TZ, and private teaching. |
 Nick Cutroneo | Nick Cutroneo (Guitar) Mr. Cutroneo graduated from the Juilliard Pre-College where he studied with Antigoni Goni and is currently attending the Hartt School of Music for completion of his Masters in Music and as a member of the prestigious 20/20 chamber ensemble, studying with Richard Provost and Christopher Ladd. Known for being a "communicative player with natural musicality," Nick Cutroneo is an up and coming classical guitarist of the new generation. An active performer, he has had notable performances at The Juilliard School of Music,The Hartt School of Music, Christ Church in New Brunswick, NJ, the Miller Chapel at Princeton's Theological Seminary in NJ. In the summer of 2007, he was invited to participate with an international group of students at the Volterra Guitar Project in Tuscany, Italy. He was named finalist in the Hartt Schools 2008 Paranov Concerto Competition and semifinalist at the Boston GuitarFest 2008. He has also performed at Yale's "Guitar Day," the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society's "Guitar Extravaganza Weekend," and several alumni events at the University of Hartford. Mr. Cutroneo maintains an active private teaching studio at MusicMakers Academy in Manchester, CT. He also performs regularly at assisted living facilities providing solo recitals for the residents. Mr. Cutroneo has performed in master classes with Andrew York, William Kanengiser, Ana Vidovic, Carlos Bonell, Carlo Marchione and most recently with Manuel Barrueco and Oscar Ghiglia. Nick is also obtaining his certificate in Suzuki Guitar Pedagogy and thoroughly enjoys teaching students of all ages, including our youngest, budding guitarists. |
 Linda Cabral | Linda Cabral (Piano) Linda is a graduate of The Hartford Conservatory where she studied Music Pedagogy. In addition she has a BA in psychology and an MS in Counseling from Central Connecticut State College. Linda often combines her education and musical talent when performing for nursing homes and healthcare facilities. Currently she is part of the music therapy program at Midstate Hospital as well as working on her certification to be a therapeutic musician. In addition to teaching piano to students from preschool to adults in a variety of styles including classical, jazz and pop, she has also tutored students in music theory and ear training. Linda is a member of MTNA, CSMTA, and the Musical Club of Hartford. |
 Erberk Eryilmaz | Erberk Eryilmaz (Piano, Music Theory, Composition) Erberk Eryilmaz was born in Samsun, Turkey in 1989. He started his music education when he was 3 years old in the Samsun Conservatory. He studied piano and composition in Hacettepe University - Ankara State Conservatory from 2000 to 2006. He entered the Hartt School in 2006. In 2007, he was awarded the first prize with his "Sonata for Piano" in the SCI/ASCAP(North East) Composition Competition, and his "Concerto for Two Pianos Orchestra" was chosen for "The Masterworks of the New Era" by ERM Media. In 2008, he won the grand prize at "The Van Rooy Competition for Musical Excellence". In 2010, he received the "Diemente Prize" from the Hartt School's Composition Department. Eryilmaz has been featured on Turkish State Radio several times. Turkish State Television produced a documentary based on his musical career as part of series called "The Succesful Turkish People". The Ministry of Education's required English Class Book for 7th grade elementary schools in Turkey includes a unit on Erberk Eryilmaz. He is the pianist of the Anatolian Trio and the Hartt School’s Performance 20/20. Eryilmaz is also the director/conductor of the Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra. |
 Regina Moreno | Regina Moreno (Piano, Music Therapy, Early Childhood Music) Regina teaches piano as well as the Mini-MusicMakers class. She enjoys bringing her love of music to teaching piano. She may also be seen with her guitar at the Mini-MusicMakers class for more interactive fun! She received her Bachelor of Music degree in music therapy from Elizabethtown College, PA. She is also a board-certified music therapist and works for Progressions Music Therapy Services. As a music therapist she works with a wide variety of ages and populations throughout eastern Connecticut. Currently she is pursuing a Master of the Arts degree in music therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, IN. |
 Tim Maynard | Tim Maynard (Guitar) Tim is a professional guitarist specializing in classical, jazz, rock and more. He has been teaching over 20 years, and wrote a self-published beginning method. Instruction for guitar in all styles and for all levels. A love of music began with rock music and matured with classical and jazz. While pursuing a degree in classical guitar performance (Hartt '97), he became active performing and teaching guitar throughout CT. Performance on classical and electric guitars, electric bass, mandolin and banjo in many genres ranges from weddings and solo concerts to music theater and rock bands to dixieland jazz. As an educator, he has helped countless students achieve their goals in music. Whether a student desires to get into their school jazz band or needs help with a college audition, he can help him or her focus and develop a strategy for success. Older students find the enjoyment they're looking for with an approach tailored to their goals. Since 2004, he has taught rock band classes helping students of young and young-at-heart learn the finer points of playing in an ensemble. |
Amanda Sullivan | Amanda Sullivan (Guitar) A native of Connecticut, Amanda Sullivan is a solo classical guitar recitalist who has performed throughout New England in a variety of venues ranging from large concert halls to small intimate spaces. Amanda started studying the guitar at the age of seven. She began her early performance training in 2005 as a guitarist for “ L.U.N.C.H.”, a non-for-profit performing ensemble that raises funds and awareness to combat hunger and poverty in New England. In 2008, Amanda played classical guitar for a performance of “The Barber of Seville” with the Salt Marsh Opera at the George Kent Performance Hall in Westerly Rhode Island. As a result of her performance as a young artist, Amanda received the Salt March Opera Student Music Scholarship to further her studies in classical guitar. Currently, Amanda Sullivan is an undergraduate at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut where she is pursuing a degree in Classical Guitar Performance under the tutelage of internationally known pedagogue, Richard Provost. Amanda is the recipient of a significant four-year scholarship to Hartt. In addition to her formal studies at the Hartt School, Amanda has performed in masterclasses for some of the worlds’ most renown classical guitarists including Ana Vidovic, Antigoni Goni, Marcin Dylla, Jason Vieaux, Scott Tenant, and William Kanengeiser. She has also attended and performed in the Hartt Classical Guitar Summer Workshops. |
Heather Sica | Heather Sica (Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano) Bio and Picture Coming Soon! |
Brittany Martin | Brittany Martin (Voice, Piano, Early Childhood, School Programs) Bio Coming Soon! |
| Joe Park (Brass Instruments, Band, Piano) Bio and Picture Coming Soon! |
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| Jared Gardner (Double Bass, Electric Bass) Bio and Picture Coming Soon! |
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