AFM - Key Persons
Andrew Ziemba percussion 716-536-9569 Cell: Email Website Bio Biography A well-respected music educator and performer in WNY, I have a Bachelors, Masters, and Certificate of Advanced Study in Music Education, with many years of successful teaching experience. My students have consistently received grades of A or A+ at NYSSMA, ECMEA, and NCMEA festivals, and have represented their schools in the associated large ensembles (Area All-State, All-County) and have been members of the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra, for example. Several have gone on to become fine music educators in middle and high schools and colleges; some have become professional international performers, including the drummer for 10,000 Maniacs.
Angela Lombardo received her Bachelor's Degree in Classical Flute Performance from the University of Minnesota. Her private flute studio is located in the Village of East Aurora. She also teaches through the Orchard Park Central School District Music Boosters program. Ms. Lombardo has performed with orchestras across the country and subs regularly with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Erie Chamber Orchestra. Private lessons will help students gain the skills necessary to become the leaders of his/her school ensembles. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Austin Oprean trombone 716-341-6444 Email Website Bio Biography Dr.Oprean is an active performer and educator in the Western New York region. A member of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Austin frequently performs with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and has previously performed with the Broadway Touring Cast of Chicago the Musical, the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, and internationally in Quebec and Cuba. Dr. Oprean maintains an active teaching schedule, having taught at both Interlochen Arts Academy and Camp, FredBrass Institute, and public schools throughout Michigan. He received his mindfulness teacher certification from MIEA in 2022.
Bob Accurso received his BFA degree in Music Performance from the State University of New York at Buffalo where he studied with Lynn Harbold and Jan Williams. He has served as Instructor of Percussion for Villa Maria College and taught Composition, Improvisation, and Arranging for the State University College at Buffalo. He is currently the percussion instructor at Canisius College of Buffalo. From 2001 to 2008, he was President of the New York State Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. Bob had been a member of the Maelström Percussion Ensemble from 1986 to 2007 and had been its Executive Director from 1990 to 2007. With Maelström, he has performed for the Lincoln Center Institute for the Arts, the Kennedy Center, the DCI World Championships, the Percussive Arts Society's International Convention, and at universities and concert halls across the country.
Cristin Kalinowski has been teaching and performing in the greater Buffalo area for the past 20 years, and welcomes students of all ages.
Job Titles:
- Music / Digital Music Production
Devin Kelly percussion 585-202-6825 Email Website Bio Biography I am a local percussionist based in South Buffalo with over 20 years of teaching experience at the primary, secondary & university levels. I hold a MM from the Eastman School of Music. I look forward to working with you to improve your musical skills!
Ed Croft holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a Master's in Jazz Studies from Bowling Green State University. He is the 2017 JazzBuffalo Poll Best Acoustic Bassist recipient. Since moving to Buffalo in 2016, he has made a big impression on the local music scene. He can frequently be seen with JazzBuffalo Poll Winners The Fredtown Stompers, who won the 2016 award for Best Traditional Jazz Group. As a freelance bassist, Ed has performed with many Buffalo jazz greats including Darryl Washington, Greg Millar, Rey Scott, and Bobby Jones. He has also shared the stage with Buffalo Music Hall of Famers such as Doug Yeomans, Joe Rozler, and Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs.
Gail Bauser cello 716-480-4919 716-480-4919 Email Website Bio Biography Private lessons available in 30, 45, or 60 minute increments.Over 30 years performing experience (orchestras, shows, recording sessions). - NYSSMA & ECMEA Adjudicator - Experienced in Suzuki and Traditional Teaching Methods - BM in Cello Performance - Masters Degree in Music Education
Jim Francisco trumpet 716-574-6678 716-574-6678 Email Website Bio Biography James' focus is very much on the basic mechanics of trumpet playing such as warm up, flexibility studies, and endurance training for students and adults of all ages. He is versed in the requirements and preparation for local school solo competitions as well as the required repertoire. His studies have been largely in the classical genre and has played professionally throughout WNY for many years. James has served as principal trumpet for the WNY Chamber Orchestra since 2002. b
Jim Kipler guitar 716-512-8328 716-512-8328 Email Website Bio Biography Has performed with Symphony Orchestras and leading professionals in many group settings.
Jim Linsner percussion 716-200-8375 716-200-8375 Email Website Bio Biography BFA in Music Performance from SUNY at Buffalo 1987, 20 years teaching and performing experience. Please see drumlessonsbuffalo.com for more detailed information. To take a virtual tour of Jim's teaching studio. Click Here
Kasumi Leonard is the current principal flute substitute for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She also freelances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and was a member of The United States Army Field Band from 2009-2016.
Katie Weissman holds a Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance from Boston University, and is a cellist in Wooden Cities, the Evolution of the Arm, Root Cellar, the Little cake Cover Band, the Fever Pitch String Quartet, the End of America and various other groups in WNY. She organizes a weekly chamber music series at Duende and is also a substitute for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She teaches privately in her own studio, and currently lives in Williamsville. She has over 20 years of teaching experience with all levels and has taken Every Child Can and Suzuki Book 1 courses.
Violist Leanne Darling has taught all levels of classical viola, beginning/intermediate violin and chamber music to ages 6 to 65 for over 25 years. Her teaching style melds traditional classical technique with a focus on body awareness and development of musical creativity. Leanne holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music and has held principal positions in the Florida West Coast Symphony and the Missouri Chamber Orchestra. She currently teaches viola, violin and chamber music at SUNY Buffalo and leads master classes in improvisation and middle eastern music in the Buffalo area.
During her twenty years in South Florida, Leslie coached viola students and chamber music groups in arts magnet schools in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and founded the Florida Music Festival, a two week music camp for middle and high school students. She also helped establish and taught for the Florida Youth Orchestra and Ars Flores Chamber Orchestra. In Western New York, Leslie taught for the Fredonia String Conference, is an audition judge for the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra, was Education Coordinator for Western New York Chamber Orchestra and is Co Director of Vivace String Camp.
Linda Carey-Fusani flute, piccolo,recorder 716-633 - 2919 Email Website Bio Biography Linda Carey-Fusani holds a BS and MA in music from SUNY at Buffalo and a BFA and MFA in art from SUNY at Buffalo and SUNY College at Buffalo. She holds New York State Teaching certificates in both areas. Previously held positions include: music faculty at the Lewiston-Porter School District, the Amherst Central Summer Music-Recreation Program, Buffalo Seminary, other private and Parochial Schools, and the Young Artists of Erie (Pa) Music Camp. She has an ongoing private flute studio, teaches for the Clarence Central Summer Music Program, and is adjunct flute instructor at Niagara County Community College. She is a freelance flutist who currently works with Note-worthy Intervals, Arioso Chamber Musicians, The Choral Arts Society, Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Arts in Education, the Master Chorale and the Debutant Orchestra of Erie Pennsylvania.
Megan Kyle earned undergraduate degrees in oboe performance and English at Oberlin Conservatory and College, and a Master of Music degree from DePaul University. She was most recently a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and has performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the New World Symphony in Miami. Megan has taught students ranging from third grade to adult. She currently teaches private lessons through Orchard Park High School. While in Chicago she taught at the YOURS Project, part of the People's Music School, and she served as a Woodwind Teaching Assistant at the Interlochen Arts Camp in 2011.
Melissa Herr piano 716-836-1084 716-440-8815 Email Website Bio Biography Melissa first learned to play the accordion when she was 5 years old and has been a life-long lover and learner of music ever since. Her passion for music was evident when she elected to perform both vocal and piano recitals as part of her degree requirements, graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in Music from Buffalo State College. She is past president of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, music director of St. Leo the Great R.C. Church in Amherst, NY, and currently serves as student recital chair of Music Forum for Piano Teachers of W.N.Y. Melissa maintains a private piano studio in her Parkside home and is accepting new students.
Paul Furlong bassoon, oboe, English horn 716-867-0037 716-867-0037 Email Website Bio Biography Private instruction on all double reeds for over 40 years at the studio in my home located in Orchard Park.
Peggy Scalzo percussion 716-245-6734 Cell: 716-245-6734 Email Website Bio Biography Peggy teaches students of all levels, both children and adults. The lesson focus is on drumset and snare drum. Lessons consist of technique books, exercises, solo material, and playing to recordings. Peggy teaches lessons both at her home studio in North Tonawanda and at Alder Creek Music [Niagara Falls Blvd in Wheatfield].
Rebecca Mayer Torres, violinist and violist, has a BA from the University of Buffalo and a masters degree in music from SUNY at Stony Brook. Ms Torres had a private music studio for 20 years in California, was first violin in a professional string quartet and taught string methods at Chico State University of California. Although mostly involved in classical music, she has toured with Bobby Vinton, Ray Charles, Wayne Newton and Anne Murray. Ms Torres returned to Buffalo in 2004 and is a member of the Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra and free lances in various ensembles in Western NY. She teaches privately and also at the Community Music School on Elmwood Avenue.
Richard Nunemaker has had a varied and prolific career as a symphony musician, concert soloist, recording artist, producer, educator and author. Richard Nunemaker played clarinet, bass clarinet and saxophone with the Houston Symphony Orchestra from 1967-2008. He also played principal clarinet and saxophone with the Houston Latin American Philharmonic Orchestra from 2012-2016. He was a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra in 1966, the Louisville Orchestra from 1964-1966 and the Erie Philharmonic from 1962-1964. Richard Nunemaker was a member of the faculty for the University of St. Thomas, Houston from 1975-2016. Richard Nunemaker is past president of The Houston Composers Alliance, Music by Living American/Houston Composers. Richard Nunemaker has a B.S. in Music Ed. and a Performers Certificate from SUNY @Fredonia and an M.M. and is an Alumni Fellow from the University of Louisville.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Harp at SUNY Fredonia
Sonja Inglefield is Professor of Harp at SUNY Fredonia. She earned an Artist Diploma and a Master of Music in pedagogy from the Peabody Conservatory. As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout the United States and Europe. After sixteen years as Principal Solo Harpist with the Baltimore Opera Company, Sonja came to western New York. Here, she has appeared with the Chautauqua Symphony, the Erie Philharmonic, the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and the June in Buffalo Contemporary Music Festival, among others.
Tim Smith trombone - alto, tenor, and bass 773-590-9035 773-590-9035 Email Website Bio Biography Mr. Smith's studio consists of beginner through collegiate students. He has been on faculty at San Diego State University and the British School of Chicago, in addition to managing private studios in Buffalo, Chicago, and San Diego. Mr Smith currently holds the chair of 2nd Trombone in the Buffalo Philharmonic.
Tim Dyet has been a performing Pianist & Trombonist in the Western New York Area for over 10 years. He is currently the Director of Music & Worship at St. Peter s Lutheran Church of Sanborn, Director of the Niagara University Pep Band, Local Pit Musician, and a recording artist with the critically-acclaimed rock group Strange Standard.
Tim received his Bachelors of Science in Music Business Instrumental Trombone from Nazareth College in 2016. Tim also performs Jazz & Blues as a keyboardist and currently studies in Dr. Nick Weiser s private Jazz Piano Studio in Fredonia