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Alan Aurelia Brass, Woodwinds, Piano,
Strings, Percussion
As a concert performer, Mr. Aurelia has played under Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Feidler, and with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra.
He has appeared at Alice Tully Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Symphony Space, and the Bottom Line. He has appeared on
television in both the US and Europe including a PBS nationwide broadcast, and most recently on Manhattan cable TV with Effie
the Elephant, (a children’s show). Mr. Aurelia is the founding conductor of the Staten Island Ballet Orchestra, and
guest conductor of the NY Symphonic Arts Ensemble. He has worked with Benny Goodman, Isaac Stern, Midori, Ray Charles, and
F. Murray Abraham. Mr. Aurelia holds a BA and an M.F.A. from the Univ. of Conn. and has been teaching for NYSM/CMS since 1976.
Arlette Beauchamps, Voice
John Blaylock Guitar, Bass
Mr. Blaylock began studying guitar at the age of eight and went on to perform hard rock, progressive (art) rock, and jazz
with numerous N.Y. bands including Castleton, Tasmanian Pig Fever, and The Kingsmen. A graduate of Brooklyn College, he recently
resumed work on a revised score for John Gay’s “The Beggar’s Opera”.
Marion Brown Saxophone, Classical Guitar, Piano
City Music Schools is pleased by the return of Marion Brown to our teaching staff. Well known by jazz fans as one of the
premier saxophonists of the post-Coltrane era, Mr. Brown made his recording debut in 1964 with 2 classic releases, (“Quartet”
and “Why Not”), for ESP records. Shortly thereafter he appeared on John Coltrane’s landmark recording, “Ascension”.
Mr. Brown has gone on to record, teach, and tour all over the world. Subsequent recordings of exceptional greatness include;
“Three for Shepp”, “Juba-Lee”, “Afternoon of a Georgia Faun”, and a series of duets with
Gunther Hampel. Mr. Brown has served on the faculties of Wesleyan & Brandeis Universities, Bowdoin College; Yale’s
Caild Study Center, and the Weltmusik Institute of Hamburg. Mr. Brown holds an M.A. in music from Wesleyan University. Beginners
as well as the most advance students are welcome to take advantage of learning from this acknowledged master.
Veronica Burke Voice/Vocal Therapist
Veronica received her Masters Degree in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, her Bachelors Degree in Music
and Education at Carlow College, her Music Theater training at Carnegie Mellon University and Theater certification Program
at Ohio State University. She is the winner of the West Side Institutional Synagogue Young Artists Award and First Place Winner
of the Rina Telli Vocal Competition. As a performer, Ms. Burke has premiered more than 30 music works, including 5 compositions
written specifically for her talents.
John DeBlass Guitar, Bass, Piano
As co-director of City Music Schools, Mr. DeBlass draws on his extensive experience as teacher, musician, and conductor.
Mr. DeBlass is an accomplished string performer who spent the early part of his career playing in everything from hard rock
bands to symphony orchestras. A former guest conductor with the Hazleton Philharmonic Orch., Mr. DeBlass is also a Musical
Theater Director and Choreographer with more than 75 productions to his credit..
Kung-Wei Lin, violin, viola, cello, piano
Leenya Rideout Voice, Violin, Guitar, Mandolin
Ms. Rideout makes her living in Musical Theater (original cast , currently “Lulu” in the current Broadway revival
of Cabaret, and the only violinist on the original cast recording.). Recent off-Broadway credits include Yiddle
with a Fiddle, Portable Pioneer and Prairie Show, and Cowgirls. She has performed in regional theaters across
the country as well as cruise ships, industrials, and an international tour of My Fair Lady. Leenya started
violin lessons at the age of 4 and studied with such teachers as Oswald Lehnert. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado
with a Bachelor of Music in opera performance, where she studied voice and vocal pedagogy with Dr. Barbara Dosher and Suzuki
string pedagogy with William Starr. While at C. U. she studied acting, Italian, German, and French, as well as participating
in orchestras, chamber music ensembles, choirs, and a -capella groups. Leenya’s vocal technique includes fundamentals
in classical, legit singing styles with an understanding of music and text that can withstand 8 shows a week and be transferred
to pop, belt, jazz, or rock styles. This technique as well as her songwriting is exemplified on her recent debut album “Phoenix”,
for more info. visit the web site at Leenya.com.
Erich Rausch, voice, piano, sax, clarinet
Chanelle Schaffer Voice/Piano
Chanelle is a graduate of Stanford University, and the MFA program at American Conservatory Theater. She has performed
nationally and internationally as a vocalist, pianist, and actress. Her theatrical credits include leading roles at American
Conservatory Theater, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and San Jose Civic Light Opera. She is the recipient of a Hewlett Foundation
Grant and a Dramalouge Award for Outstanding Achievement.in Performance. She spent 8 years on staff in the Music Dept. at
Stanford as the principal vocal accompanist, and 6 years as Music Director of historic Judson Memorial Church in NYC. Chanelle
is a former faculty member at ACT and AMDA, where she taught Voice, Musical Theater, and Cabaret Performance. Her students
have performed in film, television, on Broadway, and on American Idol, and include ‘Dreamgirl’/Tony winner Anika
Noni Rose
Maria Zannieri Co-Director
A graduate of Adelphi University, Ms. Zannieri is also director of the West Side Dance Project School and co-director of
WSDP Dance Company. As a Musical Theater Director/Choreographer, her credits include such shows as Cole Porter’s “Kiss
Me Kate”, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance” and Stephen Schwartz’s “Pippin”.
A dancer, actress, and singer herself, she has performed at Symphony Space, NY Theater Ensemble and in various regional and
stock theaters.
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