Music Institute

Vocalist and recording artist Sofia Tosello is on the faculty of Jazz at Lincoln Center and New Jersey State University.  Her album Lluvia Fue, a collaboration with Latin Grammy winner Fernando Otero, is a journey through classic and contemporary songs from the tango repertory.  She has performed with Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra, Aquiles Baez, Thalia, Julio Santillan, Alex Cuba, Folklore Urbano, at Summerstage Central Park, the Blue Note, the Heckscher Theater, the Jazz Standard, BAM Café, the Aaron Davis Hall and other NYC landmarks, as well the Art Museum of Philadelphia, Ryles Club, the Michigan Women’s Festival, el Teatro Real (Argentina), Macau Jazz Festival (China) and more. 

Grades: Piano Grades PreK - 5 ONLY & Voice Grades 5 - 12 ONLY
Day and Time: Monday 3:30-6:00, Wednesday 3:30-6:00, Thursday 3:30-6:00 (30 minute increments)

Anton has also worked with or played alongside with many of the great musicians in jazz, such as Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Clifford Jordan, Mel Lewis, Al Foster, Norman Simmons, Brad Meldau, Bill Carrothers, Larry Goldings, Terell Stafford, Dave Stryker, and Bill Stewart, to name only a few. Anton has also been a featured soloist at The Napa Valley Jazz Festival, the Istanbul Jazz Festival (with the NY Jazz Giants) and the LaVillete Festival in France (with the Bill Carrothers Trio).  Recorded work includes the critically acclaimed Bill Carrothers Trio CD, Ghost Ships, Happy Apple’s, Blown Shockwaves & Crash Flow, and John McKenna’s Apparition, to name only a few. As an educator, he has served on the faculty of JazzHouse Kids, the Stanford Jazz Workshop, Temple University and has been an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University since 1999.

Grades: All Grades
Day and Time: Tuesday 3:30-6:00, Wednesday 3:30-6:00, Thursday 3:30-6:00 (30 minute increments)

Pianist/composer Nicki Denner has worked with diverse artists such as Sheila E., Randy Brecker, Savion Glover, and Michelle Shocked as well as other jazz and Latin artists in The United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Ms. Denner has released three CDs under her own name. Her trio recording, Moliendo Café, was named one of the "Top Ten Picks of 2006" in Latin Beat Magazine.  She has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, the Apollo Theater, and has performed for the United Nations as a musical ambassador for the State Department in Central America. She is currently the Musical Director for the highly acclaimed group Cocomama whose debut CD Quiero was included in the 2016 Grammy pre-nominations for Best Tropical Latin album.

Grades: All Grades
Day and Time: Tuesday 3:30-6:00 (30 minute increments)

Brass Lessons: Rick has been one of the most in-demand trumpet players in the NYC area for over thirty years.  He is a recording artist and band leader, and has worked with a who’s-who of jazz and popular music entertainers, including The Jackson Five, The O’Jays, Tony Bennett, The Temptations, Tania Maria, Blood Sweat and Tears, Burt Bacharach, Jack McDuff, The Spinners, Nancy Wilson, Henry Mancini, Paul Anka, Andy Williams and Stan Kenton.  Rick is also a composer and recently scored the music for the film “A Whole New Day” starring James Gandolfini.  

Digital Music Production Lessons (Grades 8-12): Through the course of these lessons, students can learn the fundamentals of digital sound recording and the production of electronic music using recording and production software.  Students then can use those skills to record and produce their own music.  

Grades: Brass All Grades & Digital Music Production Grades 8-12 ONLY
Day and Time: Tuesday 3:30-6:00, Wednesday 3:30-6:00, Thursday 3:30-6:00 (30 minute increments)

Katie Chambers is an accomplished and passionate cellist and educator based in Brooklyn, NY.  She has played on various television shows, at many prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kimmel Center, Kennedy Center and Strathmore, and has performed chamber music on several tours in Europe. Katie performs in pit orchestras up and down the East Coast and with various singers/songwriters/performers, including Evanescence, Lindsey Stirling, Brian Falduto and Victoria Vox.  She received her Masters Degree in cello performance from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Grades: Violin, Viola, Cello All Grades & Piano PreK - 4 ONLY
Day and Time: Thursday 3:30-6:00 (30 minute increments)