Artist Bios - Colburn School

About the Players
The Principal Brass
The Principal Brass, a quintet of players from the New York
Philharmonic, enjoys worldwide exposure and an
international reputation.
The group’s debut came in 1983 when they joined with the
Canadian Brass for a concert in Ottawa, Canada. This was
the beginning of a regular musical collaboration between
these two brass quintets. Subsequent joint performances
have brought them to the summer festivals of the
Tanglewood Music Center, Wolf Trap National Park for the
Performing Arts, Great Woods, and Mostly Mozart, as well
as to cities throughout Canada and the United States. The Principal Brass and the Canadian
Brass have joined with their brass colleagues from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and The
Philadelphia Orchestra in five recordings and one educational video.
The Principal Brass has hosted an annual Holiday Brass at Lincoln Center since 1995. Joining
as guests on this extravaganza have been groups such as the German Brass; the Canadian
Brass; the West Point Brass, Percussion, and Vocalists; and the Salvation Army New York
Staff Band.
The Principal Brass and the New York Staff Band have also joined forces in two gala festivals
at Alice Tully Hall in New York. In addition, The Principal Brass performed with the Empire
Brass at the Carnegie Hall Centennial Gala in May 1991.
The Principal Brass has been a regular encore feature on the Philharmonic’s tours of
Europe, South America, Asia, and the United States, in addition to Philharmonic residencies
in Cagliari, Italy and Vail, Colorado. The ensemble has performed solo concerts in cities
throughout the United States, and in other countries, including Luxembourg, Mexico, China,
and Brazil. Having toured Japan in 1999 and 2003, the Principal Brass visited again in 2012.
members of the principal brass
Matthew Muckey, trumpet
Matthew Muckey joined the New York Philharmonic as
Associate Principal Trumpet in June 2006, soon after
graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s
degree in music, and studying with Charles Geyer and Barbara
Butler. He currently serves as acting principal trumpet, The
Paula Levin Chair. He made his New York Philharmonic solo
debut with performances of Bach’s Cantata No. 51 and “Let
the Bright Seraphim” from Handel’s Samson on a November
2013 concert. A native of Sacramento, California, Mr.
Muckey has appeared as soloist with the Omaha Symphony,
Sacramento Philharmonic, California Wind Orchestra, Northwestern University Symphony
Orchestra, and on NPR’s program From the Top. He has also played with the Boston Pops
Orchestra, New World Symphony, and Chicago Civic Orchestra. Mr. Muckey was a fellow at
the Tanglewood Music Center during the summers of 2003 to 2005, and was the recipient of
the Roger Voisin Trumpet Award in 2004 and 2005.
About the Players
Ethan Bensdorf, trumpet
Ethan Bensdorf, acting associate principal trumpet, joined
the New York Philharmonic in June 2008, after spending the
2007–08 season as acting assistant principal trumpet with
the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra in Florida. He received
his Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University
in 2007; while a student there, he spent two years performing
with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training orchestra for
the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), and performed with
New World Symphony and the CSO’s contemporary ensemble
MusicNOW. In May 2005, Mr. Bensdorf was selected to
perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,
representing Northwestern University as part of
The Conservatory Project recital series. He received the
Armando Ghitalla International Trumpet Classic Award, which included solo appearances
with the United States Coast Guard Band and the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra in
Massachusetts. He participated in the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan, and the
National Orchestral Institute in Maryland; he was a Tanglewood Music Center Fellow in the
summers of 2006 and 2007, where he received the Roger Voisin Trumpet Award.
Richard Deane, horn
Richard Deane joined the New York Philharmonic as associate
principal horn in September 2014. Previously, he served as
third horn of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, performed
with the Atlanta Chamber Players, and was a member of
the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet. Mr. Deane has also
served as principal horn with the Colorado Philharmonic and
the Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia,
and in 1987 he earned first prize in the International Horn
Competition of America. In addition to teaching master
classes at The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music,
University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music,
Georgia State University, Cleveland State University, and Eastern Kentucky University, he was
also visiting professor of horn at the University of Georgia from 2006 to 2014. He serves as
principal horn of the Brevard Music Center Festival in North Carolina each summer. A native
of Richmond, Kentucky, Mr. Deane began his horn studies with Stanley Lawson. He received
a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, and a Bachelor of Music degree, summa
cum laude, from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music.
About the Players
Joseph Alessi, trombone
Joseph Alessi was appointed principal trombone,
The Gurnee F. and Marjorie L. Hart Chair, of the New York
Philharmonic in 1985. His numerous solo performances with
the Philharmonic include the world premieres of trombone
concertos by Christopher Rouse and Melinda Wagner, and
he is scheduled to premiere one by William Bolcom as part
of the 2016 NY PHIL BIENNIAL. He began musical studies
with his father, Joseph Alessi, Sr., in his native California, and
continued training at the Curtis Institute of Music. Previously,
Mr. Alessi was second trombone of The Philadelphia
Orchestra and principal trombone of the Montreal Symphony
Orchestra. He is an active soloist, recitalist, and chamber performer, appearing with
ensembles such as the National Repertory Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra,
New Japan Philharmonic, and The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra, and participating in music
festivals around the world. A clinician for the Edwards Instrument Company, Mr. Alessi has
given master classes and recitals worldwide, and is on the faculty of The Julliard School.
He received the 2002 International Trombone Association Award for his influence in the
field, and is a founding member of the Summit Brass ensemble at the Rafael Méndez Brass
Institute in Tempe, Arizona.
Alan Baer, tuba
Alan Baer joined the New York Philharmonic as principal
tuba in 2004, having served as principal tuba with the
Milwaukee Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, and Louisiana
Philharmonic orchestras. Other performing credits include
The Cleveland Orchestra, Ojai Festival Orchestra, Los Angeles
Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. As a
soloist and chamber musician, he has performed in Canada,
Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Brazil; he will
make his Philharmonic solo debut playing John Williams’s
Tuba Concerto in May 2016. Mr. Baer received his Bachelor
of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and
received its Alumni Achievement Award in 2005. He has
appeared in recitals and master classes throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, and
has held teaching positions at California State University, Long Beach, and at the University of
Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He is currently director of brass studies at Mason Gross School of the
Arts at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and serves on the faculties of The Juilliard
School, Manhattan School of Music, and Mannes School of Music. He is a representative of
the Buffet Group, and performs exclusively on Meinl Weston tubas.
About the Players
faculty
Mark Lawrence, conductor
Mark Lawrence, formerly principal trombone of the
San Francisco Symphony for 34 years, is an active soloist,
clinician, chamber musician, and teacher. He has performed
at the International Brass Conference and the International
Trombone Conference, and has been a frequent recitalist in
this country and abroad. While principal trombone, he was
soloist with the San Francisco Symphony on several occasions
and has been a guest soloist with many other orchestras and
concert bands as well. Mr. Lawrence is a member of
San Francisco’s Bay Brass and was a founding member of
the famous Summit Brass ensemble. He has also been a member of Chicago’s Music of
the Baroque, the Empire Brass Quintet, the Center City Brass Quintet, and the Four of a
Kind trombone quartet. Mr. Lawrence has been guest principal trombone with the New York
Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A graduate of
the Curtis Institute of Music, Mr. Lawrence currently teaches at the Colburn School, the
San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara.
students
Nicholas Robson, trumpet
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Nicholas Robson began playing in Salvation Army brass bands as
a soloist and as a member of the cornet section. Playing alongside his teacher Larry Knopp
as a regular substitute with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has been one of the many
personal highlights of his career. Mr. Robson is a Bachelor of Music candidate at the
Colburn Conservatory of Music, where he studies with James Wilt.
Josh Rogan, trumpet
Australian Josh Rogan began playing music in brass bands at the age of five, and has since
studied trumpet at the University of Melbourne and Australian National Academy of Music.
He is currently an Artist Diploma candidate at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where he
studies with James Wilt.
Hayato Tanaka, trumpet
Hayato Tanaka was born in Tokyo, Japan. His brass quintet, the Kyōdai Brass, received the
Aspen Music Festival and School brass quintet fellowship in 2013 and won first prize in the
brass ensemble category of the Plowman Chamber Music Competition in March 2015. As a
soloist, Mr. Tanaka has performed with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and at the Kennedy
Center. Mr. Tanaka is currently a Professional Studies Certificate candidate at the Colburn
Conservatory of Music, where he studies with James Wilt.
About the Players
Jena Wight, trumpet
Jena Wight is a Master of Music candidate at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where she
studies with James Wilt. She is the principal trumpet of the American Youth Symphony and
has played with the Kinnor Philharmonic Orchestra of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Los
Angeles Philharmonic. She is a solo cornetist with the internationally acclaimed Fountain City
Brass Band, and a founding member of The LA Brass Quintet.
Patrick Hodge, horn
Patrick Hodge is from Johnson City, Tennessee. He has performed in venues such as Suntory
Hall in Tokyo with the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra under maestro Fabio Luisi, Carnegie
Hall under the direction of maestro Alan Gilbert, and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre with the
Colorado Symphony Orchestra. A recent graduate of The Juilliard School, he is currently a
Master of Music candidate at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where he studies with
Andrew Bain.
Rachelle Jenkins, horn
Rachelle Jenkins is a student at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where she studies with
Andrew Bain. She has performed with the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, Florida Orchestra,
and Naples Philharmonic, and has maintained an active freelance life within Canada and
the US. Rachelle holds music degrees from McGill University and the University of Central
Florida, and has spent summers as a fellow of the Tanglewood Music Center and Aspen
Music Festival and School.
Emily Lair, horn
Originally from Canada, Emily Lair has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
and is a Lucerne Festival Academy alumna. She is a recipient of an artist grant from the
Canada Council for the Arts. Ms. Lair holds a Bachelor of Music degree from McGill
University, and is currently a Professional Studies Certificate candidate at the Colburn
Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Andrew Bain.
Alex Laskey, horn
Alex Laskey is a Professional Studies Certificate candidate at the Colburn Conservatory
of Music, where he studies with Andrew Bain. Mr. Laskey received his Bachelor of Music
degree from DePaul University and was a regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Professionally, he has performed with both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the
Los Angeles Philharmonic, and has been fortunate to perform with notable conductors
Ricardo Muti, Gustavo Dudamel, Michael Tilson Thomas, and John Williams.
Kaylet Torrez, horn
Born in Caracas in 1990, Kaylet Torrez began studying music at the age of three through the
celebrated El Sistema program in Venezuela. From 2004 through 2014, she was a member
of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
In 2014, Ms. Torrez won the position of principal horn with the National Symphony Orchestra
of Colombia. Currently, Ms. Torrez is a Performance Diploma candidate at the Colburn
Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Andrew Bain.
About the Players
Julian Zheng, horn
Julian Zheng is an Artist Diploma candidate at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where
he studies with Andrew Bain. In 2013, he won the 45th International Horn Society Premier
Soloist Competition in Memphis, Tennessee, and has won numerous other solo competitions
and awards. In 2010, he was invited to play a solo concert with Professor Max Cooke, one
of Australia’s leading piano professors and performers. He has also played in the Australian
Youth Orchestra and Melbourne Youth Orchestra.
Daniel Lawlor, trombone
Daniel Lawlor is a Southern California-based trombonist. He has performed with the San
Diego Opera and San Diego Symphony, and has a large private studio of young aspiring
trombonists. In addition to symphony playing and teaching, he is extremely active in chamber
music and is one of the founding members of the trombone quartet Skinny Lips and the
Sound Malfunction. Mr. Lawlor is a Master of Music candidate at the Colburn Conservatory of
Music, where he studies with Mark Lawrence.
Masa Ohtake, trombone
Masa Ohtake is currently a Professional Studies Certificate candidate at the Colburn
Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Mark Lawrence. Mr. Ohtake is a 2015 recipient
of the John Clark Award for excellence in brass from the Manhattan School of Music. He
has performed in a wide variety of venues, from jazz lounges to symphony halls of Seattle and
Carnegie Hall in New York.
Robinson Schulze, bass trombone
Robinson Schulze is a Professional Studies Certificate candidate at the Colburn Conservatory
of Music, where he studies with Mark Lawrence. He holds a master’s degree in trombone
performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf
College in Minnesota. He is a founding member of the Voodoo Brass, a Minneapolis-based
brass quintet that performs throughout the US and recently toured Germany.
William Connors, tuba
William Connors is a Professional Studies Certificate candidate at the Colburn Conservatory
of Music, where he studies with Norman Pearson. He holds a Master of Music degree
in tuba performance from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Music degree from
Ithaca College. His primary teachers have included Warren Deck, Dr. Justin Benavidez, Kathy
Brantigan, and Dr. Aaron Tindall.
Cristina Dougherty, tuba
Cristina Dougherty, 18, studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy with Professor Thomas
Riccobono. In 2014, she was a finalist in the Interlochen Arts Academy’s Concerto
Competition. Ms. Dougherty has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts in Washington, DC; New Mexico’s Popejoy Hall; in various halls in Michigan; and on the
radio. She has performed in master classes with Roger Bobo, Michael Mulcahy, Carol Jantsch,
and the Canadian Brass. She is a Bachelor of Music candidate at the Colburn Conservatory of
Music, where she studies with Norman Pearson.
About the Players
Jennifer Marasti, timpani
Jennifer Marasti is a Master of Music candidate at the Colburn Conservatory of Music,
where she studies with Ted Atkatz. Prior to her studies in Los Angeles, Ms. Marasti attended
California State University, Stanislaus, where she received a Bachelor of Music in percussion
performance and music education, and graduated summa cum laude. Ms. Marasti performs
regularly in the Los Angeles area. She is a section percussionist in the Young Artists
Symphony Orchestra, and performs often with the American Youth Symphony, Debut, and
Kaleidoscope Chamber orchestras. She also enjoys performing contemporary works with
ensembles such as the wildUp modern music collective and other percussion chamber
groups in the Central California area. Along with performing, Ms. Marasti enjoys composing
and teaching percussionists of all ages. She has composed a number of award-winning
winter percussion shows for middle and high schools throughout California, and has taught a
handful of winter percussion groups, many of which have won top prizes at competitions