FAIRFAX PIANO - Key Persons

Adrian Jackson teaches viola and violin at from Jackson Viola studio in Rochester, New York. He is passionate about the viola and loves to convey that enthusiasm to his students.

Aleena Griffiths was born in Auckland, New Zealand and has been playing violin and piano since she was three years old. Both of her parents studied violin with Dr. Suzuki in Japan, and her father continues to teach using the Suzuki method. She observed her parents at work for many years as a child so she has a strong background in Suzuki pedagogy. She participated in several youth orchestras in New Zealand and has subbed with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra while in the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from Indiana University, where she studied with Mimi Zweig. She is currently living in Rochester, NY where, in addition to teaching, she has a part-time job at a small business that sells artisan olive oils and balsamic vinegars. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cross stitch, hiking, and playing with her black cat Pua.

Mike studied piano under Dr. Ejnar Krantz and has been playing the piano for over 50 years. He has accompanied church music for many congregations and currently plays piano or keyboard with the Sunday Music team which includes bass guitar, drums, guitar, and vocalists at Cedar Valley Bible Church. He loves to inspire and help his students discover their love for music.

Mike Nemeth teaches out of Fairfax Piano studio in Fairfax, Iowa. While he is the President of , he also teaches many active and engaged students. Mike is passionate about running a business that is locally-owned and operated and supporting other local businesses. He brings to our staff a wealth of musical experience and knowledge. Mike Nemeth has been an entrepreneur for over 10 years and this is the second business he founded. Mike is passionate about running a business that is locally-owned and operated and supports other local businesses. He brings to the table a wealth of musical experience and knowledge, and is also an active teacher with the company.

Miles Damaso is a percussionist based out of Bloomington, Indiana. His versatility as a musician allows him to play in a large variety of settings as a drum set player, jazz vibraphonist, classical percussionist, and marching percussionist. He currently is the drummer for Moonshine Mary, The Joe McCadden Band, and also performs with the multiple music groups at Indiana University, including the top jazz band. He's had the chance to perform alongside great players including Dick Oatts, Bret Zvacek, Damani Phillips, Charlie Ballantine, Jesse Wittman, Nick Tucker, Joel Tucker, Steven Jones, Sean Imboden, Dan Johnson, Dennis "Daddy-O" McMurrin, and Steve Shanley. He has also had the privilege of receiving the award for outstanding instrumentalist at Kirkwood Community College, the Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence, being a 2 time All State musician, and being a featured performer at the Czech Village Blues Festival. A graduate from Kennedy High School and Kirkwood Commuity College, Miles is now pursing a bachelors degree in music from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. His teachers include Steve Houghton, Sean Dobbins, Sherrie Maricle, Cody Collings, Joe Perea, and Ben Yancey. When Miles is not playing music he enjoys eating food and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. Connect with him on Instagram and YouTube @milesdamaso or on Facebook!

Trenton Laskey is a multi-instrumentalist who believes that music is a part of our existence and music can be found within everyone. Anyone can be a musician, and like an athlete, only those who put in time and effort in commitment and training will see the results. Trenton plays guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, trumpet, euphonium, tuba, French horn, and has acted and sung in musical theater. He has played with organizations including the Grand Rapids Symphony Choruses, the Mark Swanson Trio, the Tri-County Jazz Band, and the Dogwood Theater among others. He is also experienced in playing in a pit orchestra for ten stage productions, including Little Shop of Horrors, High School Musical: The Musical, Seussical The Musical, and others. Trenton has played the trumpet since he was 11 years old and his skills have grown steadily ever since. In high school he had risen to become the Tri-County Concert and Jazz Band's principal player. It was at that time that he began adding the tuba and euphonium to his skills. In MSBOA's solo and ensemble competitions, he has always received Division One ratings. At Central Michigan University he is 2nd Trumpet in their Jazz Central band, a first-part player in the CMU Marching Band, and he also takes part in their wind ensemble. Trenton sings tenor and is well-versed in voice and breath control. He participated in the Grand Rapids Youth Choruses for five consecutive years and was selected to lead their tenor section. In this role, he led the tenors in their performances of the Grand Rapids Holiday Pops Series, their Fall and Spring Concerts, and others. He picked up the guitar in high school and has since expanded his skills in fretted instruments to the bass guitar and ukulele. Popular guitarists such as Angus Young of AC/DC and Brian May of Queen inspired him early on. He now claims Grant Geissman, John Mayer, and Steve Vai as influences in the continuing development of his already-impressive guitar skills. Trenton currently attends Central Michigan University, majoring in Music Education with a focus on Instrumental Music and a minor in Trumpet Performance. His goal is to one day be a band director and share his love and passion for music with others. On the way toward that goal, he loves to share his skills with those who want to learn.