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Dylan Smith
As a senior managing consultant and principal data scientist, Dylan leads teams of data scientists to design, develop, and deploy custom data-driven enterprise software solutions for Fortune 100 clients. On a personal note, Dylan is an avid cyclist, aspiring tennis player, and classically-trained musician. Dylan resides in his hometown of Seattle with wife Brittany (also…
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Matthew James Pivec
As a performer of jazz and popular music, Matt Pivec has worked with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ana Gasteyer, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Steve Allee, Ana Gasteyer, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. As a band leader, Matt has three albums to his credit, Live at Snider Hall, Psalm Songs and Time…
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Adam Green
Adam Green is an arts administrator and percussionist. His passion is finding meaningful ways to connect people to the arts. As a former member of the Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., Adam managed the Concert Band’s national tours and marketing teams developing outreach products as they traveled across the country. In 2015 and 2023,…
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Naomi Nakanishi
A dynamic pianist, improviser, and composer, Naomi Nakanishi invites their listener with distinguishable melodies, sonorous harmonies and unconventional phrasing. They have performed at major festivals such as the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival and the national Jazz Education Network Conference with both big bands and small groups. Naomi has worked with artists…
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Denin Koch
Having been praised as possessing “pristine playing, meticulous composing” and “a very personal voice deserving of attention,” award-winning guitarist, composer, and educator, Denin Slage-Koch has done a lot. He’s played and recorded with artists like Ryan Keberle, Shane Endsley, Carmen Bradford, Clay Jenkins, Brad Goode, Wycliffe Gordon, and the Colorado Symphony, written music for artists…
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Thomas J. Ricer
Dr. Thomas J. Ricer teaches Tuba, Euphonium, and Music Education at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and plays Tuba with the Royal Hawaiian Band. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, a Master of Music from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee and a Doctor of Musical Arts…
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Alexa Tarantino
Alexa has appeared with a wide variety of ensembles including the Wynton Marsalis Septet, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Cecile McLorin Salvant Quintet and OGRESSE ensembles, Ulysses Owens Jr.’s Generation Y and Big Band, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and leads the Alexa Tarantino Quartet.…
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Anna Dagmar
Anna Dagmar is a NYC-based pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. Dagmar made her Broadway debut in 2017 as a sub Pianist and Conductor for Sara Bareilles’ musical Waitress. Her original song, “Mercy,” was commissioned by The Canales Project and performed at the National Gallery in 2018 and at the Public Theater in 2019. Dagmar is a…
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Jacob Dalager
Dr. Jacob Dalager is an international soloist, recording artist, award-winning composer, and Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Jazz at New Mexico State. He taught at The Catholic University of America, Frostburg State University, and Frederick Community College. His debut solo album, Paradigms, was released in 2021. Dalager made his U.S. concerto debut in 2016 with…
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Josh Gagnon
Josh Gagnon is a trombonist, photographer, and creative professional based in Boston. Encouraged by his supportive family, Josh began playing trombone at the age of nine. Josh developed a passion for jazz while surrounded by the rich improvised music scene in New England. As a student at the University of New Hampshire and the Eastman…
