Playing the drum kit has been a passion of mine for over 15 years now. I grew up learning drums with a private instructor and learned how to write music with my friends. Shortly after forming our band, Dead Humor, we went on to win a battle of the bands competition, and have played all over Cincinnati and the Midwest, including events such as Blink and other local festivals. I have freelanced in studio sessions, as well as taught students both in private and classroom settings.
Mariia Demash holds a Master's degree in Music, obtained from the Academy of Arts in Kyiv, Ukraine. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor's degree at UNTAM Tchaikovsky in Kyiv, Ukraine. She is an exceptional musician specializing in viola and also skilled in violin and piano. Hailing from Donetsk, Ukraine, she brings her passion for music and European musical expertise to the United States. She boasts a wealth of experience and recognition from prestigious orchestras and opera studios.
Brenton Carter, a native of Winchester, Illinois, is the Acting Principal Bass of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. He is an active freelance bassist performing with many orchestras in the region including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.
Brenton holds a Masters of Music and an Artist Diploma from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he studied with Owen Lee. He has also studied with Rachel Calin, Kurt Muroki, Lawrence Hurst, Tim Pitts, Nicolas Crosse, Max Dimoff, and Stephen Lester.
Mike Wade, also known as “Shorty Bop”, is a professional trumpeter that can play funky grooves that make you want to swing! He began playing trumpet in his pre-teen years. While attending the Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington, D.C, he received a National Symphony Fellowship to study with symphony trumpeters. He attended Central State University on a full scholarship to earn a bachelor’s in music education. After that, he earned a Graduate degree in Classical Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
Anna Dunlap has served as the principal harpist of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra in Alabama since 2020 and has performed as a substitute harpist with orchestras throughout the greater Midwest region including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, and Nashville Opera. In May of 2023, she performed as a fellow in the National Arts Centre Orchestra Mentorship Program in Ottawa, Ontario, performing in two subscription programs with the NAC Orchestra.
Carolyn comes from a family of musicians including her grandfather, Dr. Ernest Lunt, the founding director of the Mendelssohn Choir in Pittsburgh. She received a scholarship and completed her B.S. in Vocal Performance and Piano from Heidelberg University. She attended University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and received her M.A. in Music Education and Opera. Carolyn believes in a positive approach in teaching and that words of affirmaiton are key to any type of instruction.