Melissa Elsman

Melissa Elsman (voice), classical singer and music educator, holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory and an M.M. in Vocal Performance from Chicago College of Performing Arts. She continues her studies with renowned countertenor Mark Crayton. A member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Melissa teaches voice to children and adults from beginner to advanced levels, in a variety of styles including classical, musical theater, and popular music. An active performer with over 20 years of experience, Melissa’s repertoire spans from art song to opera, with a special interest in lesser-known works. She has produced and performed lecture-recitals, including La Femme Vaillante: Reviving the Remarkable Musical Legacy of Augusta Holmès, which she has toured both locally and in Chicago. Melissa

Evan Whitfield

Evan Whitfield (piano, composition, improvisation) is a twenty-first century performer, musician, educator, and practitioner-researcher in the field of contemporary classical piano improvisation. Evan specializes in eclectic performances which synthesize virtuosic improvisation with interdisciplinary, compositional forms. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music (MM ’01), he has performed at Jordan Hall in Boston, the Knitting Factory in NYC, and Blackheath Halls in London, UK. From 2021 to 2022 he was a doctoral candidate at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance in Greenwich, UK, and his thesis was recently published in The Journal of the Utah Academy of Science, Arts, & Letters (2023). As a liberal arts educator, he has held positions at The Dublin School, East Carolina University, and Southern Utah University. Presently he is engaged

Mike Alberici

Mike Alberici (saxophone) started playing the saxophone in 4th grade and never stopped. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Westfield University, Mike performed for Carnival Cruise Lines for a year, playing saxophone, flute, and clarinet in the ship’s big-band. Back on land in Boston, Mike received a master’s degree from New England Conservatory of Music in Jazz improvisation, and had further doctoral studies at Boston University. Mike has taught music for over 30 years in public schools and is an award winning music educator. In 2015 Mike received the Christa McAuliffe Sabbatical, and he visited 30 New Hampshire elementary schools, teaching children about the elements of sound. Mike also stays busy playing in several different groups, including The Krimson Krewe, a New Orleans second-line Mardi

Jarred Garneau

Jarred Garneau (guitar) has years of experience playing live and completed his BA in Guitar Performance at Berklee College of Music in 2023. He has studied guitar with David Newsam, Dani Rabin, Dan Bowden, and Robin Stone. Specializing in slide guitar and improvisation across various genres, Jarred’s style is unique to himself. In addition to past projects with The Freestones and The Ferret Brothers, Jarred has made a name for himself as a session musician/sideman with names such as Stu Dias, Dean Harlem, Todd Hearon, John Webb, and the Allman Brothers cover band: Idlewild. Jarred’s most recent musical endeavor is his solo band where he collaborates with some of the best musicians in the Seacoast area, with material ranging from blues, jazz, flamenco, classical, and

Jared Steer

Jared Steer (percussion -on sabbatical Fall 2024) is an active performer/educator based in central NH. He received a BA in Music Performance from Plymouth State College. There he studied drum set and percussion with Tim Gilmore, Eric C. Hughes and Craig Fahey. After receiving his degree he continued studies with Rakalam Bob Moses, Bob Gullotti, Jeff Ballard, Dave Dicenso, Steve Michaud, Thierry Arpino, Jerry Leake and Greg Hutchinson. In 2017 he went back to PSU to take classes toward obtaining a music education degree. Jared either currently or has held faculty positions at the Manchester Community Music School, Holderness School, New Hampton School, Fryeburg Academy, Tilton School, Interlakes School District, and Sant Bani School. He facilitates drum workshops from school and community events. He performs and records regionally as well

Andrew Grosvenor

Andrew Grosvenor is a piano player and songwriter with many years of experience playing professionally in a variety of styles. Andrew teaches beginner piano as well as intermediate to advanced jazz and rock piano, theory and improvisation. He also serves as keyboardist and bandleader of the regional band “Andrew North & the Rangers”

Zeb Cruikshank

Zeb Cruikshank (jazz and popular music department chair, jazz, blues, and rock guitar) performs and teaches in musical genres ranging from blues and classic rock to acoustic fingerstyle, jazz, and classical guitar. Most recently he was a full-time guitar faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. He holds a Bachelor’s in Guitar Performance from McNally Smith College of Music, with further studies in their advanced Artist Diploma program. Zeb has recorded five albums, and opened for national acts such as Maceo Parker, Living Colour, Semisonic, Firehouse, and Chris Duarte. In Minneapolis he was known for his original jazz fusion project The Zeb Cruikshank Band, his acoustic duo Jess & Zeb, and classic rock band The Brute Squad.

Matt Langley

Matt Langley (saxophones (remote only)) has studied with Lou Marini of Saturday Night Live, David Baker, Ted Dunbar, and Stan Strickland. He has recorded extensively with the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet, his own group, Color, with pianist Pandelis Karayorgis’ group System of 5, and with Mike Effenberger’s weirdturnpro. Mr. Langley has also shared the stage or recording studio with Ron Carter, Richie Cole, Fred Hersch, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, Matt Wilson, Tiger Okoshi, Roswell Rudd, Dave Douglas, and many others.

Anthony Varga

Anthony Varga (Music Therapy Program Coordinator, music therapy, upright bass) is a graduate of the Music Therapy Equivalency program at Saint Mary of the Woods College in Indiana. Prior to becoming a music therapist, Tony enjoyed a rewarding career as a public school music educator, directing school orchestras in New Jersey for seven years before moving to New Hampshire and joining the Concord School District in 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Rutgers University, a Master of Arts degree from Rowan University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Boston University. In addition to a prolific academic career, Tony is also a veteran of the United States Navy.