Jazz pianist, producer and educator Aman Almeida grew up in Bangalore, India. He has played with many distinguished artists including trumpet player Dominick Farinacci, film scorer Terence Blanchard and tenor saxophonist Ernie Krivda. In 2021, Aman received his B.M in professional music from the Berklee College of Music, Boston.
Learn MoreBorn and raised in Brazil, I started taking piano lessons when I was 7 years old and played in my first recitals and took part in piano competitions by 8 years old. I moved to Curitiba to college, where I took my Bachelor in Music at the School of Fine Arts of Paraná. In 2019, I moved to the USA, where I went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I have been working as piano, music theory and history of music for 9 years and I am looking forward to teach and learn much more.
Learn MoreUpon moving to New Jersey in 2010, Ryan was gradually exposed to the New York metropolitan area jazz scene, becoming enamored with it. This passion led him to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's jazz program and the New Jersey Youth Jazz Orchestra. Ryan graduated from the William Paterson Jazz Program in 2020 and plays regularly in Manhattan at various restaurants and bars. He is currently enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music to further pursue his studies in jazz music.
Learn MoreBenjamin Ellis is adjunct professor of Guitar and director of the Classical Guitar Ensemble at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and the St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy. Ellis performs regularly and has been a featured soloist at festivals, universities and concert venues throughout the north east. Ellis is an active teacher in the Syracuse area and has been featured as a guest instructor at Syracuse University, Mansfield University and the Eastern U.S. Music Camp at Colgate University.
Learn MoreAlex Dergal currently lives in Kansas City, Kansas where he dedicates his time to teaching music to the youngest in the community. Alex’s pedagogy is summarized in his mission statement: utilizing music to instill within students the confidence and skills they need to navigate the world around them. He also performs on clarinet and saxophone for classical and jazz repertoires. Alex holds degrees in performance from Oberlin Conservatory and the Yale School of Music. In his free time Alex reads books, writes stories and rides his bike.
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