Christina Hutzelman
Piano, Music Theory
Elijah Smoot
Piano, Voice, Theory
Bingjie Wang
Violin
Greg Chako
Guitar, Electric Bass, Music Theory
Ms. Hutzelman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University. She began piano when she was six years old and at age 15 started teaching group lessons at the elementary schools along with private lessons. Christina has assisted in organizing the bi-annual recitals for many years. She teaches mostly intermediate and advanced students. She has been teaching over 15 years and enjoys mentoring her advanced students who are interested in teaching.
Mr. Smoot is a pianist & baritone from Great Mills Maryland. A graduate from Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Elijah is classically trained in both piano and vocal technique. An award-winning pianist and vocalist, Elijah is an enthusiastic teacher and is excited to be able to share his passion and love for music teaching students of all ages and levels. His genres of expertise include jazz, classical, religious, and modern styles. Elijah's personality and strong emphasis on technique is used to demonstrate that music is both fun and rewarding.
Cincinnati-based violinist Bingjie Wang was born in Taiyuan, China, where she began her violin studies at the age of 7. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Tianjin Conservatory of Music in China and completed her Master Degree of Music Arts in violin performance at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Bingjie has established herself as a versatile performer, working in orchestral, chamber music and solo recitals. As a solo violinist, Bingjie won the first Conservatory of Music contest as well as many other prizes. As a teacher, she is excited to pass on her knowledge of the violin to her students of all ages. She enjoys balancing technique and artistry assignments with the goals of each individual student.
Cincinnati-born jazz guitarist Greg Chako took his first music lessons at the age of nine on the accordion and then after just one year of guitar lessons, Greg won second place among more than 1,000 contestants in the American Guild of Music competition. Greg earned a Masters in Music (MM) degree and completed three years of coursework towards a Doctor of Music (DMA) degree at the famed Eastman School of Music.
Greg has released ten CDs and four videos inspired by his years living and playing in the Far East.
Carolyn Jayne Lunt
Piano, Voice
Leah Yackanech
Piano, Voice
Nick Greenberg
Electric and Upright Bass
Cheryl Eslinger
Piano, Accompanist
Ms. Lunt comes from a family of musicians including her grandfather, 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 received her M.A. Music Education and Opera from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Carolyn believes in a positive approach in teaching and that words of affirmation are key to any type of instruction. In addition to vocal competitions, Carolyn has performed in Opera and Theater. She has directed children and adult choirs and has taught all levels of piano and voice students.
Leah Yackanech is the College Connects President and Podcast Manager for the National Opera Teens Program of OPERA America. She studies Voice Performance at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She participated in the Kennedy Center Young Associates Program, the Washington National Opera Summer Opera Institute, and the Belcanto Bootcamp program. Last winter, she earned first place in the King's Peak International Music Competition. Additionally, she has placed in NATS, CS Music Competition, the Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition, and the American Music Talent International Competition. This year she was in the CCM Opera d'arte program. She performed in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. She holds certificates in Elementary and Intermediate Piano from the Peabody School of Music and teaches beginner and intermediate voice and piano students.
Mr. Greenberg graduated with a degree in Double Bass Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Nick teaches both acoustic and electric bass. He currently plays for the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra and frequently performs at the Aronoff Center in their Broadway Series. Nick is also involved with several jazz and rock groups in the Cincinnati area and has played many private functions and concerts over the past twenty years. He teaches all levels of students.
Ms. Eslinger graduated from Indiana State University and has been a teacher and trainer all her adult life. Her musical background includes a lifelong love and study of music as a classically trained pianist. She has accompanied students for competitions; played piano with a worship band in a large church for over 15 years. She has developed a love for all kinds of music including contemporary worship and jazz. Cheryl is experienced and passionate about helping people reach their goals and potential.
Dan Qiao
Violin
Matt Averdick
Guitar
Phillip Burkhead
Piano, Music Theory, Composition,Improv, Music Technology
Yuchen Lou
Voice
Dan has her DMA in Violin Performance with a Cognate in Orchestra Conducting from UC College Conservatory of Music. She is an enthusiastic teacher; very patient and punctual. She has taught private students for 14 years. Her students won lots of competitions and were admitted to famous music colleges in both USA and China with full scholarships. She focuses on inspiring students to find the beauty and fun in music. She is also teaching how to practice efficiently on the technique. As a bilingual speaker, She can teach in both English and Mandarin. Her teaching style is finding the best way for each different student based on their physical condition and cultural background. She combined the teaching style from the USA, Asia, and Europe and makes a plan for each student. She is looking forward to teaching students of all ages and levels.
Dan has performed in concerts worldwide, including in China, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the USA. She moved to the USA in 2015 and is a Doctoral candidate at UC College-Conservatory of Music. Dan has received many honors and awards for her work as a solo and chamber musician.
Matt Averdick graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a Spanish degree, but during his time at NKU traveled to the French Alps performing and teaching jazz music. A musician based out of Cincinnati, OH, he can be found all across town in a variety of musical settings. He studied both Jazz and Classical guitar during his time at NKU, and spent many nights as a teenager engrossed in the work of popular rock guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen and Angus Young. More recently, Averdick has become a fan of jazz legends such as the great Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel, and Joe Pass. You can find him on a typical day methodically teaching students the guitar, transcribing jazz guitar solos for his company 'Let’s Transcribe,' pursuing multiple solo projects in his home recording studio, and taking care of his clients through his advertising business 'Zestful 360.'"
Louisville, KY native Phillip Lee Burkhead began teaching himself to play piano at the age of eight by emulating pop and jazz artists. Mr. Burkhead received an Honors Scholarship in the Jazz and Studio Music program at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He received many awards for both academic and performance achievement including Best Keyboard Artist by Cincinnati Magazine. Mr. Burkhead earned a Vocational Teaching License and a Masters of Education from Wright State University.
Mr. Burkhead has been studying and performing Jazz since 1981. He has performed with many local bands including The Blue Wisp Big Band, The Dayton Jazz Orchestra, The Coasters, and The Shirelles.
Mr. Burkhead has taught at Miami University, Central State University, the CCM College Preparatory Program, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He has taught Piano, Theory/Composition, Improvisation, Arranging, Music Technology, Jazz Ensemble. He has been included in the Who’s Who of American Teacher’s three times.
Adjunct Professor of Jazz Piano at The University of Dayton, Mr. Burkhead is also the accompanist and a praise band member at Redeemer Church in Hamilton Ohio. He enjoys teaching all levels of piano
Yuchen Luo, lyrico-spinto soprano, is a DMA candidate in voice at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She served as a Teaching Assistant in several universities and had her own private studio for all ages and levels of students with some who were admitted to prestigious music schools.
Yuchen attended a succession of master classes and has performed internationally as a soloist at the Austrian embassy and the Chinese National Grand Theater. She has received many awards in competitions such as first place in the 3rd National Higher Art Opera Vocal Competition. Yuchen teaches classical, musical theater, and contemporary singing and is excited to share her passion with her students.