Instructors

Alex Donaldson is a professional musician from the Columbus area with extensive music industry experience supported with education.  Alex graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor's of Music in Guitar Performance. He also completed the Bachelor program a year ahead of schedule, with Magna Cum Laude honors. Other notable accomplishments at the college were performances in the Advanced Guitar Performance Ensemble and private studies with Joe Stump.

Alex also has extensive experience within the music industry. Having released a record produced by AEROSMITH's producer, being in a band signed to the UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP, and having music featured on television ad movies (MTV Networks, ABC Networks, SPIKE TV, Cartoon Network) Alex can use this experience to shape any musician young or old, and gear them toward success in the music industry.  Alex has also done product demonstrations for PAUL REED SMITH GUITARS, performed live with GUNS n ROSES's guitarist, played several festivals and showcases (SXSW, Florida Music Festival, Vans Warped Tour, Locabazooka) and opened for several national bands (WEEZER, 3OH3, ZAKK WYLDE, HEAVEN AND HELL (Sabbath minus Ozzy), DISTURBED, and PARAMORE).

Alex's music has been featured on the MTV original series THE HARD TIMES OF RJ BERGER, Spike TVs BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE, the UK movie ANGEL'S CREST, the CARTOON NETWORK, ABC's TV show JANE BY DESIGN, and a national US TV ad for MERRELL shoes.  He was the winner of the FLORIDA MUSIC FESTIVAL'S 2009 Les Paul Giveaway and a finalist in the SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD competition: Indie Rock vs The World.

Alyssa started playing piano with her grandmother at age 5 and loved making music so much that she joined the school orchestra, band and choir. As she spent more time playing, her primary focus became cello and she began to study privately with cellists from the Lima Symphony and Bowling Green State University. Alyssa also participated in the Lima Area Youth Orchestra, District III Honors Orchestra and at the BGSU Summer Strings Program during high school. Alyssa went on to earn a degree in music education from Capital University and during her time there participated in the Capital/Bexley Orchestra, string quartets, piano quintets, fiddle pedagogy class and took private lessons with cello and piano.  Currently Alyssa plays with several area string quartets and enjoys playing in the indie band Super Desserts. Teaching private lessons for 4 years, Alyssa is excited to help people discover their own talents and to further their musical progression.

Anthony is a working bassist and vocalist in the Columbus local music scene with over 10 years of performing experience. He studied bass throughout high school and spent two years studying in the Jazz Performance Department at The Ohio State University. With a Bachelors Degree under his belt from the Fisher College of Business at OSU, Anthony has been able to make performing bass and singing his primary focus by playing gigs 4-5 nights a week among 6 various ensembles. He is well versed in playing pop/rock, funk, blues, bluegrass, jazz and R & B. Areas of teaching would include technique, chords, scales and modes, theory, ear training, reading and writing, improvisation, learning song structures and charts, and understanding groove and the pocket. Anthony currently plays with; The Eddie Pollina Band, Mrs. Robinson and the Graduates, Triple Bill, Soul Annex, The Dfaults, and The Ex-Presidents.

Colin was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1987. He started playing saxophone when he was 10 years old and shortly after began studying piano. Throughout high school, Colin received many accolades for his performance and musical talents. He sat first chair in his high school Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and was a member of the West Virginia All-State Concert Band.  For a while, Colin wanted to pursue a career in the sciences, but halfway through studying both physics and music at the Ohio State University, he realized that the musical art was his calling and has since established himself as a unique voice in and around the Columbus music scene.  Currently, Colin can be seen performing around the city with a variety of groups and in varying styles including his own band, "The Good Instrument Friends," which draws upon a mélange of styles including jazz, world music, folk, hip-hop, blues, gospel, rock and pop. Musically, Colin has been known to be uniquely energetic, intense, sensitive, and powerful. In a 2010 article for Columbus Monthly Magazine, Colin was described as, "…a seeker, and there's always the story Martin wants to tell that night on his horn. By the time he's finished, you feel like you've been on a long journey to a distant land - to a place that's possibly unattainable but definitely worth striving for." With his unique and open personality, Colin strives to share his optimistic stance that music alone can strengthen the quality and meaning of life for anyone.

Through versatility, skill, and creativity, Dean Anshutz has established himself as a young talent and career drummer by the age of 24. Crafting a career that has taken him from underground rock clubs to the concert hall and everything in between, there isn't much he hasn't accomplished. Coming from North East Ohio, Dean earned a Bachelors degree in classical performance from Youngstown State University. While in school, he had the privilege to give the world premiere of Ziggurat jazz drummer and composer John Hollenbeck with an ensemble of top musicians from the Dana School of Music.  Dean contiued to find time to hone his drumming and compositional chops as a member of one of Northeast Ohio's favorite rock bands, The Zou, all while retaining an aggressive schedule with Matrix indoor marching percussion ensemble. Not willing to be stuck in one musical scene, Dean returned to classical percussion as a member of the Ohio Light Opera Orchestra in 2007. Immediately following his tenure with the OLO, Dean began work on a project as drummer and musical director that culminated in a powerful recital of music by Frank Zappa. Dean finished his degree and took the caption head position writing, and instructing the YSU Drum Line.  While keeping busy with The Zou and other freelance gigs, Dean was asked to join Red Wanting Blue in fall of 2009. The band averages over 125 shows per year and has played along with Michelle Branch, Edwin McCain, OAR, Rusted Root and other major acts. Dean with Red Wanting Blue has headlined at venues such as the House of Blues in Cleveland, and the Newport Music Hall in Columbus. Drawing on such a diverse musical background, Deans blend of all styles of drumming, complemented by his creative use of hand percussion, create a unique sound that drives RWB night after night.

Mr. Ferrell has been playing professionally in Central Ohio for over 12 years and teaching privately for 16 years. He graduated from New Albany High School in 1992 and went to The Ohio State University where he majored in music. He was a 4-year soloist for The Ohio State University Marching Band and played lead trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble. After a leave of college, Mr. Ferrell was asked to play lead trumpet for the Big Band show at Capital University. He earned scholarships and finished his degree in Music Education at Capital University, as well as, toured European jazz festivals as the guest artist. He currently plays lead trumpet in the Rick Brunetto Big Band at the airport, leads the Elvis Extravaganza, which is a national act, and freelances throughout the nation.

Jesse picked up his first guitar at age 12, and started private lessons with instructor Chris Skrobot a week later. He has been playing ever since, and his passion for the guitar and music continues to grow. Jesse has been playing locally for 12 years including several battle of the bands, local shows, and performing at the 2005 Warped tour.  Jesse’s love for the guitar led him to Galloup Guitar School in Michigan, where he completed the Master Luthier Program. This elite program has provided him the knowledge to build and repair custom guitars and fretted instruments. Along with playing, he can also help students learn proper maintenance techniques.  Jesse has the ability to play many different types of music, but primarily he enjoys classic rock, hard rock, and heavy metal. He hopes to pass on to his students his knowledge of the guitar, and his passion for music. He looks forward to helping students expose their talent and reach their musical goals.

Matt is a very experienced and accomplished guitarist who excels in the genres of rock, hard rock, and blues.  He became interested in guitar at a very young age and began taking formal lessons at age 9 and continued though 16.  He went on to study guitar and music theory in college at Owens College and Terra C.C. where he played in the school's electric music ensemble.

Matt has been playing in bands and performing live since the age of 17.  He currently plays lead guitar and sings in 2 successful bands, and has had the opportunity to play across the region sharing the stage with national acts, such as RATT, Local H,  Stabbing Westward, & Rehab. 

In his twenties Matt became interested in teaching guitar and began giving private lessons to adults and children.  He has given lessons at summer camps and volunteered giving lessons and demonstrations to children with special needs.  He found it very rewarding to be able to give the gift of music through teaching guitar.

With over 20 years of experience playing guitar, a solid core knowledge of music theory and guitar fundamentals, as well as a genuine passion for music and teaching, Matt will be able to lay down the fundamentals to help any aspiring guitarist achieve their highest musical goals.

 

Melena began her journey at 7 years old when her family’s house burnt down. Tragic, yes, but when the wife of the family’s contractor (a piano teacher) saw her she instantly spotted a kindred spirit in the land of music. In the seventh grade, her choir director suggested she consider voice lessons and her fate as a musician was sealed. 21 years after a new house was built, Melena and her husband happily reside in the Columbus area and she has dedicated herself to bringing her life full circle and teaching young musicians the joy of her world.

She graduated in 2006 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musial Theatre with a minor in Piano Performance. In addition to her curricular participation, she was active with the local community, being contracted both as a soprano and pianist with different churches, theatres, and schools. Since living in Ohio, she has served as Musical Director and pianist for the Granville Christian Academy’s spring musical and has been contracted by Ohio State University since 2008 as their head musician for the Annual Spring Recognition Banquet. However, at the end of the day, her greatest joy comes from being able to pass along all her experience and knowledge to the next generation of musicians.

As the daughter of an elementary music teacher, Noel Mira naturally developed a passion for music at a young age.  Noel started taking piano lessons at age 5, started writing her own music to sing and play around age 8, and started playing the flute around age 10.  Along with this, Noel also developed strong interests in other performing arts including theater and dance.  Throughout her life Noel has always participated in numerous school and church choirs, bands, dance classes, and theater productions.  In high school Noel became interested in teaching and founded a private dance instruction service at her local community theater, directed several church plays, and explored her teaching career by assisting and directing in local community schools and programs.

Noel will be graduating Capital University with a bachelor’s degree in music education in May 2012, and plans to continue her music-teaching career.  Her main areas of focus include voice, piano, and flute.  Noel enjoys sharing music with people of all ages.  Noel’s teaching philosophy is to instill the musical skills and tools necessary to develop successful and knowledgeable musicians, who will share their passion, love, and respect for music with others!!