NDC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Resident Life
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- Co - Director of Performing Arts, Assistant Professor of Music
Alicia, professional flutist and pedagogue, joined Notre Dame College in Fall 2016. Alicia began her career at NDC as a woodwind instructor, and began taking on more responsibilities in the fields of teaching and administration. Alicia's teaching experience at NDC consists of courses in music theory, history of rock and roll, applied flute lessons, and woodwind instruction with the band. Alicia is currently Co-Director of Performing Arts and Assistant Professor of Music.
Having a passion for performing, Alicia is involved in community ensembles located in Northeast Ohio. Alicia is principal flutist of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, flute section member of The Cleveland Winds, and performs in the Siena Woodwind Quintet. In 2019, Alicia performed as a Faculty soloist with the NDC Wind Symphony in participation with their annual Honor Band Festival concert.
In addition to performing, Alicia has developed a robust passion for music education. Alicia teaches applied flute lessons at NDC, where she fosters a warm, creative, and safe learning environment for her students. In flute lessons, Alicia's students engage in a variety of studies; from flute fundamentals, extended techniques, baroque through modern-day works, popular music, flute history and pedagogy, mindfulness, and creative thinking. Alicia has also taught master classes for NDC's Honor Band Festival. Outside of NDC, Alicia teaches private flute lessons through Beck Center of The Arts located in Lakewood, Ohio. She also has instructed flute sections for local high schools including Cuyahoga Falls High School, Medina High School, and St. Edwards High School.
Alicia earned a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance at Cleveland State University under the direction of Sean Gabriel, and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance at Kent State University under the direction of Diane Rechner.
Job Titles:
- Director of Financial Aid
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- Director of Campus Ministry
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- Owner, Graffiti Caps
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- Jazz Combo Director, Adjunct Faculty in Jazz History
Blake is thrilled to be here with NDC's Performing Arts! Recently Blake graduated from Cleveland State University with a Masters in Music and his primary focus was jazz performance. In addition to teaching the Jazz Appreciation course here at NDC, Blake's also teach the jazz combo.
As a musician, Blake primarily plays both the upright and electric bass. Both the role of the bass and the instrument itself has helped Blake find many musical offerings and opportunities to help expand and enhance his musical abilities. During his graduate studies at Cleveland State, he learned many advanced techniques for both upright and electric bass and found an extreme interest in pushing himself to the furthest limits of his abilities on both instruments. When he is not studying music on the bass or the instrument itself, Blake also sets his focus on guitar and piano.
Outside of NDC, Blake enjoys a wonderful and diverse career playing not only jazz, but also big band, rock, funk, fusion, blues, and musical theatre. Blake also performs regularly in pit orchestras at Lakeland Community College, Baldwin Wallace, Cleveland State, the Canton Players Guild, and the illustrious Playhouse Square. It is important for a musician to have a diverse musical background and Cleveland has offered much of that to Blake where he continues to play every week in a variety of groups and settings.
While music is an extremely important part of Blake's life, he also enjoys taking his dog Boots for long walks in the woods and reading fiction.
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- Ohio 's Attendance Advisor at Ohio Department of Education
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- Director of International Enrollment
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- Director of Theatre Studies
Celeste Cosentino has served in one capacity or another for local Cleveland theaters her entire life, spending many formative years "in the house" while her mother, Lucia Colombi, was Artistic Director for Karamu in the early to mid 80's, the same years her mother spent founding Ensemble Theatre. She is well known in the Cleveland Theatre Community having worked with many Northeast Ohio area theatres. She is a graduate of the Ohio University School of Theatre and returned to Cleveland in 2008, after living and working in New York City.
Some of her favorite acting credits are Marela in Anna in the Tropics, Alice in Closer, Desdemona in Othello, and Kayleen in Gruesome Playground Injuries. Favorite directing credits include The Gospel According to James, Death of a Salesman, Lower Ninth, Animals out of Paper, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The North Pool, both parts of Tony Kushner's epic Angels in America, and most recently A Rasin in the Sun, By The Bog of Cats, and The Penelopiad!
Celeste also spent some time in the corporate/business management world and worked for the Cleveland Museum of Art in their groundbreaking ARTLENS technology gallery for almost a decade.
She is excited to have stepped into the role of Director of Theatre Studies . She is a graduate of Regina High School and feels honored to return to the "stage" where many parts of her journey began! She was raised by Ensemble Theatre and has special dedication to its continuation for many years to come. She is excited and grateful for this new partnership with Notre Dame!
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- Teacher, North Royalton City Schools
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- Talent Acquisition Partner, Cleveland Metropolitan School
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- Library / Counseling Center
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- Teacher, Fairview Park City Schools
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- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Chairman of the Investment Committee
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- Teacher, St. Mary School in Chardon, OH
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- Director, Thrive Learning Center
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- Lawrence School, Head of School
Dr. Irwin Shung, whose playing has been praised by State Magazine for its "ease, technique, and musicianship," has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He currently serves as Artistic Director of the Resonance Masters' Series in Bellevue, Washington.
Shung received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with Dr. Daniel Shapiro. Upon graduation, he joined the faculty at the Institute, where he served for three years within the Joint Music Program, liaising with Case Western's music department. Past instructors include Daniel Shapiro (Cleveland Institute of Music), Marian Hahn (Peabody Conservatory), Leon Fleisher (Peabody Conservatory), Herbert Stessin (Julliard School), and Gabriel Chodos (New England Conservatory).
Job Titles:
- Interim President
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Officers Team
- Interim President / Provost
A firm believer of story-telling through music, Qin Ying Tan is a historical keyboardistist with influences from a pool of diverse music which includes baroque French court dance, Indonesian gamelan, the Chinese guzheng, as well as community song and dance. Born in Singapore, Tan moved to the United States in 2012 and recently graduated from Cleveland Institute of Music with a doctorate in harpsichord performance. Currently, Tan works at Case Western University and Notre Dame College as keyboard and music history faculty. Tan has also performed as a concerto soloist with the Baltimore Baroque Band, the Case Baroque Orchestra, and the Charm City Baroque
When she is not immersed in music, Ying loves exploring hikes with her husband, Irwin Shung, and dachshund rescue, Jax.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
Job Titles:
- Director of Graduate Programs
- Education
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- Director of Strings Ellie Glorioso
Director of Strings Ellie Glorioso is an American cellist based in Cleveland, Ohio. With a specialty in Suzuki pedagogy and cello performance they are the Founder and Music Director of The Cello Collective, teach cello and Suzuki group classes at The Music Settlement, and also serve as Director of Strings at Notre Dame College. Their three studios draw students from all around Northeast Ohio and the greater United States.
As a proud founding member of the Cleveland Music Exchange, Ellie helped develop an organization that connects skilled teachers with developing global music communities. Through CME Ellie has collaborated with music programs in Harare, Zimbabwe and Chihuahua, Mexico.
Ellie is also an active chamber and orchestral musician performing with ensembles such as Cleveland Opera Theatre, Opus 216, and the Cleveland Repertory Orchestra. As a champion of New Music, Ellie will be performing the Ohio premier of Anna Clyne's cello concerto, DANCE, in May 2022.
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- Managing Director, Merrill Co
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
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- Executive Vice President, Arisdyne Systems Inc
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- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Officers Team
- Vice Chair and Budget and Finance Committee Chair
- Vice Chair, Partner, Cohen & Company
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
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- Retired Executive Vice President, National City Corp
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
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- Member of the Division of Nursing Advisory Board
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- Jazz Combo Director, Adjunct Faculty in Jazz History
Blake is thrilled to be here with NDC's Performing Arts! Recently Blake graduated from Cleveland State University with a Masters in Music and his primary focus was jazz performance. In addition to teaching the Jazz Appreciation course here at NDC, Blake's also teach the jazz combo.
As a musician, Blake primarily plays both the upright and electric bass. Both the role of the bass and the instrument itself has helped Blake find many musical offerings and opportunities to help expand and enhance his musical abilities. During his graduate studies at Cleveland State, he learned many advanced techniques for both upright and electric bass and found an extreme interest in pushing himself to the furthest limits of his abilities on both instruments. When he is not studying music on the bass or the instrument itself, Blake also sets his focus on guitar and piano.
Outside of NDC, Blake enjoys a wonderful and diverse career playing not only jazz, but also big band, rock, funk, fusion, blues, and musical theatre. Blake also performs regularly in pit orchestras at Lakeland Community College, Baldwin Wallace, Cleveland State, the Canton Players Guild, and the illustrious Playhouse Square. It is important for a musician to have a diverse musical background and Cleveland has offered much of that to Blake where he continues to play every week in a variety of groups and settings.
While music is an extremely important part of Blake's life, he also enjoys taking his dog Boots for long walks in the woods and reading fiction.
Job Titles:
- Auditorium and Events Manager, Director of Percussion
Jeff Larch is an accomplished percussionist, composer, teacher, and recording engineer. He holds a bachelor's degree in Percussion Performance from Baldwin Wallace University (2015). His love for music began at a very young age, starting drum set lessons at age 5. Through school, Jeff participated in every facet of music he was able to find, including jazz bands, concert bands, marching bands, and percussion ensembles. This led to a deep appreciation for music and the arts.
His time at NDC began in 2011 with his participation in NDIPE (Notre Dame Indoor Percussion Ensemble), competing in the Winter Guard International circuit. From then, he returned to NDC as a percussion staff member in 2017. Since then, he has taken on the role of Director of Percussion, as well as Auditorium and Events Manager. His responsibilities include overseeing the marching band and concert band percussion sections, composing parts for the NDC drumline, teaching private percussion lessons, and managing the day-to-day events in the auditorium and around campus.
Outside of NDC, Jeff stays busy as an active drum set and guitar performer, performing with one of his original or cover bands in the Cleveland/Akron area. He also runs a home recording studio, where he produces his own original music as well as singles/albums for his bands and other musicians in the Cleveland area. Lastly, he designs and composes marching band and indoor drumline shows for a number of high schools, both in and out of state. NDC is a huge part of Jeff's growth both as a person and musician, and he loves giving back to such a great community.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Director / Title IX Coordinator
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- Director, Counseling Center
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- Member of the Division of Nursing Advisory Board
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- Director of Admissions
- Principal
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- President, Trend Dynamics
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- Retired Executive, General Electric
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- Education Professions Instructor
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- Community Volunteer / Activist
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
- Director of the Clara Fritzsche Library
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- Magistrate Judge, Northern Ohio District
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- Associate Dean of Student Success / Student Affairs
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- Technical Director - Security and Privacy Risk Consulting, RSM US LLP
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- Associate Director of Financial Aid
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- Member of the Division of Nursing Advisory Board
- Director of Nursing Education
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- Administrative Coordinator
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- President, Julie Billiart School
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- President, Wintergreen Associates
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- Member of the Division of Nursing Advisory Board
- President, Cleveland Council of Black Nurses / Associate Professor, College of Nursing
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Member of the Division of Nursing Advisory Board
Lauren Hinkle is a Cleveland-based trumpet player and teacher. She joined the NDC Performing Arts Faculty in 2020 and has continued to expand her presence in Cleveland since then. As an educator, Lauren teaches brass students of all ages through Arrowhead Music in Mentor, Bay Middle School, and Midview High School. She performs locally with the Akron Symphonic Winds, Cleveland Winds, and the Cleveland Repertory Orchestra, and has previously performed with the Wooster Symphony, Cleveland Philharmonic, Chagrin Falls Studio Orchestra, Master Singers Chorale of NE Ohio, Near West Theatre, and Cuyahoga Brass.
Ms. Hinkle holds a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Kent State University, where she had the opportunity to premier several pieces in solo and chamber settings, as well as perform with groups that traveled to the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the Elmhurst Jazz Festival, OMEA, and CBDNA. She competed as a soloist in the Susan Slaughter Solo Competition at the International Women's Brass Conference in 2019. Lauren also holds a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Cleveland State University, where she was the winner of the 2022 Daniel Rains Solo Competition, performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto for the graduate division. Her primary teachers include Michael Chunn, Jack Brndiar, Jack Sutte, and Amanda Bekeny.
Job Titles:
- Student Engagement & Resident Life
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- President & CEO, Donley 's Inc
Job Titles:
- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- Owner
Job Titles:
- Director of Vocal Studies
Mark Laseter is thrilled to join Notre Dame College as Interim Director of Vocal Studies. Mr. Laseter enjoys a varied career as a vocalist, keyboardist, and educator. Recent engagements include projects with professional choral ensembles such as Seraphic Fire, the Portland Bach Experience, Apollo's Fire, True Concord Voices and Orchestra, Bach Collegium Fort Wayne, the Chattanooga Bach Choir, and Grammy Award-winning-ensemble The Crossing. Prior to his time in the midwest, Mark served as a choral scholar at Hereford Cathedral in the United Kingdom. There he enjoyed performances at the 2018 Three Choirs Festival, Buckingham Palace, and both the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City. Most recently, Mark was awarded first prize in the 2021 Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition from the Kentucky Bach Choir.
In addition to his singing, Mr. Laseter is an avid keyboardist. Previous collaborative piano engagements include a year in residence with the American Boychoir School, the 2018 National Association for Music Education All-National Honor Choir, the 2016 Tennessee All State Honor Choir, the 2015 Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, the 2012 Southern Division ACDA Honor Choir, and concert and recital work at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Westminster Choir College, and Princeton University.
Mark received his Bachelor's degree in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College and his Master's degree in Sacred Music from the University of Notre Dame where he was a student of Kiera Duffy. Currently Mark studies voice with Ellen Hargis and Clifford Billions.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Division of Nursing Advisory Board
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- SND, Director, Elementary Education Ministries, Sisters of Notre Dame
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- Hickman and Lowder Co
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- Cybersecurity Specialist at DFAS
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- Intervention Specialist, Julie Billiart Schools / Author, Bunny and Doggo
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- Director of Information Security, Progressive Insurance
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- Retired Dean, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University
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- Member of the Division of Nursing Advisory Board
- Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer & Patient Care Service
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- Security Research, Synack Red Team
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- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Advancement Committee Chair
- President and CEO, Alloy Precision Technologies Inc
Job Titles:
- Co - Director of Performing Arts, Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Instrumental Studies
Michael is an educator, composer, and conductor. In 2016, Michael joined NDC as the Assistant Director of Bands. Currently, Michael is the Co-Director of Performing Arts, Assistant Professor of Music, and Director of Instrumental Studies. At NDC, Michael directs and supervises all instrumental ensembles, teaches applied composition lessons, and teaches academic courses in music theory, music literature, and composition. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Michael also serves as an administrator for the department in his role as a co-department head.
Michael primarily composes for wind ensembles, chamber ensembles, and marching ensembles. Michael's most popular piece, For Patrick, has been a featured composition on The Composers Circle and Musicuratum. For Patrick was included in Volume 11 of GIA Publication's Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. Michael's wind ensemble music has been featured at several honor band concerts and conferences, including the 2020 CVC Conference Band, 2018 NDC Honor Band Festival, 2018 Firelands Conference Band, 2018 and 2016 SIUE Bi-State Band Festivals and the 2014 Southwest CBDNA Conference. In June of 2017, Michael's composition, Alone, was premiered at the International Trombone Festival. Alone was also recorded and featured on Dr.Matthew Hoormann's debut solo album, SOMNILOQUY, which can be found on Spotify. In 2016, a consortium of fifteen bands led by Mr. Greg Allen, formed to create Michael's Symphony 3: The Dreamer.
Michael is in demand as a guest clinician and adjudicator for wind ensembles and marching bands around the United States. In the summers, Michael can be found teaching marching band camps near and far. In 2016, Michael joined the drum major and student leadership staff for Fred J. Miller Summer Clinics. In 2020, Michael was a founding member for the educational and marching band company, Music Effect Design. At Music Effect Design, Michael is a member of the Board of Directors, Director of Music Operations, and Chief Client Officer. Michael has received marching band commissions from numerous high school and collegiate marching and pep bands. To date, Michael has over 100 arrangements for the marching arts.
Michael holds a Master of Music in Music Composition from Butler University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Michael's primary teachers have included Dr. Michael Schelle, Dr. Robert Grechesky, Dr. John Bell, Professor Michael Colburn, and Dr. Kimberly Archer. Michael is currently a member of ASCAP, OMEA, and US Bands. Michael is also an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- Head, Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health / the Cleveland Clinic
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- Retired President, Color Matrix Corp
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- Teacher, Social Studies 6 Th Grade
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- Private Reading Specialist, Mayfield City Schools
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- Member of the Division of Nursing Advisory Board
- Chief Nurse, Nurse Education / Informatics / Safe Patient Handling
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- President and CEO / Todd & Associates, Inc.
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
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- Chairman of the Audit Committee
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Chief Financial Officer, OEC
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- Secretary, Parish Life & Development, Diocese of Cleveland
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- Professor Emeritus of Management / Former Dean of Business, Lakeland Community College
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- Intervention Specialist for the Visually Impaired
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
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- Instructional Advisor, Thrive Learning Center
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- Member of the Thrive Learning Center Advisory Board
- Associate Head of School / Marburn Academy
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
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- Member of the Abrahamic Center Internal Advisory Board
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- Secretary / Treasurer, Fluid Line Products Inc
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- Area Managing Partner, Ernst & Young, LLP
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- Director of Academic Affairs
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- Retired Teacher, Medina City Schools
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- Chairman of the Board
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Officers Team
- Chairman, Senior Director, Advancement Equity Initiatives, the Cleveland Foundation
Tom has taught at NDC since 2018. He is also a member of the music faculty at Cleveland State University and The College of Wooster. Tom is a woodwind coach for the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony, serves on the Medina Southtown District Arts Committee, and he is a Board Member of the Medina County Arts Council. As a Music Therapist, he has worked at the Prentiss Autism Center and has over ten years experience working with the urban youth population of Cleveland who have severe emotional disturbances. In addition to crisis intervention, re-education and sanctuary therapeutic models, he is also trained in applied behavioral analysis from the Cleveland Clinic and completed the Child Trauma Academy with Dr. Bruce Perry. Since 2015 Tom has been chosen by ORMACO (Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach) to facilitate annual grant-funded therapeutic music workshops with at-risk youth. The saxophonist has premiered solo and chamber works of local composers Nicholas Underhill, Geoffrey Peterson, Thomas Janson, John HC Thompson, Andrew Rindfleisch, Michael Leese, Buck McDaniel, Kurtis Jeffers, Jack Ballard, Darren Allen, Dr. Greg D'Alessio, Jeffrey Quick, and Stephen Stanziano. Tom is currently working on new premieres: Six Global Vignettes by Jack Ballard, Mind, Body, and Soul by Matthew Saunders, and concerto Three Vignettes (for saxophone and full orchestra) by Dave Morgan. He has recorded on Palmyra Music, Infinite Number of Sounds, Parousia Digital, for Ludwig Masters Publications, and with Noel Quintana's Latin Crew. His performances include live broadcasts on WCLV Classical 104.9, 90.3 WCPN, WRUW-FM 91.1, WCR-FM 97.1, WJW FOX 8 News In the Morning, as he also has been featured on Ideastream, Cleveland Ovations, Innovations on WCLV, The Hazel Chapman Show, and Positively Cleveland. Tom performs locally as a member of Cleveland Winds, Akron Symphonic Winds, Ekklésia Reed Quintet, Canton Comic Opera Company, Neo-Tessares Saxophone Quartet, Night Owls, Powerhouse 5, NEO Dixie, Sarata & Lempner Duo, Trepanning Trio, MT Fraze, Pen & Axe, Hexapod, Freedom Jazz Collective, and is host of the experimental project Inquiries Into Sound. Tom earned a Masters of Music degree at Kent State University where he was awarded the Walter Watson Jazz Award, Outstanding Soloist at Elmhurst Jazz Festival, and Winner of the Graduate Student Soloists Competition. He also earned a double Bachelors degree in Music Therapy and Music Performance at the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music, a Diploma from the Armed Forces School of Music, and is a U.S. Army Veteran with various awards and decorations. Tom Lempner is a Conn-Selmer Performing Artist.