Strings

Bella Brandelis, violin

• Master’s Degree in Music • More than 50 years’ experience teaching violin, piano, music theory, and music appreciation to children, age preschool to high school and adults.

“I truly believe that music lessons can give children more than just the ability to play an instrument. One important lesson is, if one does something regularly, their best every day, a lot can be accomplished.”

natalia dePoy, violin

• Bachelor’s Degrees in Music Education and Spanish; Master’s Degree in

Violin Performance, Southeastern Louisiana University. • Career highlight: accompanying Placido Domingo with the Louisiana

Symphony Orchestra, accompanying Josh Groban, and being an active freelance musician in New Orleans for around 10 years.

“While studying Music, students work through math, linguistic, historical, reading, and /or scientific concepts I incorporate a multi-dimensional approach to educate my students in broad and inclusive ways. The aim is to grow as a violinist and use the instrument as a vehicle to learn other skills.”

lauren godfrey, violin

• Graduate of Heidelberg University and the Suzuki Violin Training Program at Ithaca College. • Attended a special session at the Cleveland Institute of Music where

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki was the guest teacher and continues to teach his repertoire with Suzuki and traditional students.

“I love teaching violin to students of all ages. I believe all students can learn to play a musical instrument, reaping the known benefits of musical studies.

A positive musical experience enhances their lives in many areas, including critical thinking skills, and a greater appreciation of music and the arts.”

Carol Linsenmeier, viola/violin

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education, Ph.D. In Special

Education Research

• Frequent performer in community orchestras including Lakeland Civic

Orchestra and the Ashtabula Orchestra.

“Any child can learn to play the violin when their musical development is nurtured by love and respect.”

Melissa Lund Ziegler, viola/violin

• Artist Diploma, Ball State University; Master of Music, University of

Cincinnati: College-Conservatory of Music • Career highlight: performing chamber music with Schwob School of Music professor Katrin Meidell and former Principal Viola of the

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Mike Chen.

“I believe music is a language innate to humans. With the right guidance, anybody can learn to play music, listen to music, and enjoy music. My job is to help you get where you want to go!”

Liliana Garlisi, harp

• Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance • Former harpist for Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra

“Music should be a fun, rewarding way to enrich students’ lives.”

Strings Continued

Jonathan “Skip” Edwards, guitar/bass

• B.A. in Humanities and Music: The New College of San Francisco • Career highlight: performing “Dream Girls”

“Teaching gives me the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and experiences to future generations.”

denny carleton, guitar/ukulele/song writing • Original music has had 200,000 listens on Internet Radio. • Has played with some of Cleveland’s finest musicians. • Loves to teach from a creative viewpoint, teaching young musicians to improvise.

George Gecik, guitar

• Studied classical guitar with Aaron Shearer, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, and attended/performed in Paris master classes with Narcisco Yepes. • Founder and CEO of Special Productions Inc.; supervised and managed 32 plus musicians of varying talent and temperament for over 20 years.

Performed personally and booked national acts in regional area covering 5 states. “I love teaching and watching students learn.”

Alfredo Guerrieri, guitar/bass/bass guitar • Master’s Degree: Cleveland State University; Bachelor’s Degree: Berklee

College of Music. • Performed with Tony award nominee Mary Bridget Davies at the Bermuda

Music Festival

“I always try to be flexible with my pedagogy. I like to mix reading with using the ear to learn!”