ORANGE WHALE STUDIOS - Key Persons

Beverly Reed is a classically trained flutist with over 25 years of experience. During her school career, she played in many local, national, and international competitions including KMEA and NKY Solo and Ensemble Festival earning numerous distinguished solo and group ratings. She has been passing on her knowledge and passion for playing to future generations since 2016, from brand new beginners to more advanced students and extended techniques. Beverly performs professionally with a regional jazz-rock band, playing both jazz flute and saxophone. This love of jazz has led to her increasing her repertoire to include both saxophone and clarinet. Beverly is available for entry-level saxophone and clarinet instruction, and flute instruction from entry-level to more advanced students.

Matt Freeland is a passionate music teacher and audio engineer at Orange Whale Studios located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has been playing the drums, piano, guitar, and bass since the age of 13 and has developed a deep understanding and love for music. Matt's diverse musical taste spans from rock and heavy metal, to hip hop, which he enjoys incorporating into his teachings. Matt has a profound passion for helping make your music a reality. He is known for his exceptional attention to detail and ability to capture the unique sound of each artist he works with. Matt's dedication to the music industry is evident in his teaching methods and his commitment to creating high-quality audio recordings.

Neil Eckstein spent his early years entrenching himself in the local music scene behind a drumkit, performing regularly with multiple groups, writing original material, and recording. Determined to make the pursuit of all things music more than just a hobby, Neil, along with Trevor Johnson, opened Orange Whale Studios in 2013. A certified audio engineer and music instructor, as well as a practicing musician, Neil uses proven studio techniques while always keeping his sessions open for improvisation. If the song calls for unusual mic placement or unorthodox instrumentation, nothing is off limits. Being a big kid himself, Neil is also a natural teacher…. and kids really seem to like the beard too.

Rebeka Drew is an outgoing music fanatic, loving all kinds of music from the orchestral works of Romantic Era composers such as Tchaikovsky and Bartok, to the jazzy, scatting sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, to the modern melodies of her childhood favorite boy band, the Jonas Brothers. She absolutely adores teaching orchestra and passionately tells her students regularly that she has no plans to retire from the classroom. Rebeka received her bachelors' degree in music education from Mount Saint Joseph University. Her primary instruments are voice and violin, but she is also capable of teaching viola, cello, string bass, and piano lessons. She has taught small-group, online, and in-person private lessons for almost 8 years now. Rebeka's favorite quote of all time is, "The learning possibilities are only limited by your willingness to be teachable." She believes that in order to be the best teacher possible, she must keep learning new musical techniques, experiencing new musical opportunities, and performing in new musical settings. Providing all of her students, past, present, and future, with a foundational knowledge of music and an appreciation for what it means to be a musician is a very important aspect of her teaching philosophy.

Stacy is a patient and dedicated instructor who loves her students. Her patience comes naturally… she's been married to Neil for over a decade!

Trevor Johnson's passion for music was kindled by rock guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, and John Petrucci. Trevor's abilities as a multi-instrumentalist, coupled with his love of "big" sounds, led him to create solo and small group recordings that were fit for the arena. Focusing on new technology and software, with a nod to his roots as a solo recording artist, Trevor has developed a talent for fattening mixes that might otherwise lack punch and fullness. A good engineer does more than push buttons on a board, he also collaborates with the artist, identifying problem spots, and encouraging new ideas. Trevor brings this philosophy to every recording project. Trevor's technical prowess is also a great benefit to Orange Whale's more advanced guitar students.

Playing and performing in the Cincinnati area since before he was old enough to drive, Mark has developed a reputation as an accomplished guitar player, songwriter, engineer, and performer. You can find Mark credited on records for local acts like The Tillers, Mike Oberst, Animal Circles, and The Guitars. Recording local artists, including his own projects, for over a decade, Mark understands that no artist, and no recording, are the same. As an engineer, listening is his most valuable contribution to any recording, and he guides artists in getting the sound they haven't been able to acheive on their own.