*Mark Bryson, guitar, bass & guitar class instructor
Teaching artist statement:
I’ve had the opportunity to learn under some great teachers, and it’s my goal to bring that same enthusiasm and passion to my students. I love seeing a student’s eyes light up when they discover something they didn’t know before or beam when they play something amazing that they’ve been working on for a long time. Improvisation is key to making music your own, so I guide my lessons towards teaching students how to play, not just what to play.
Teaching & Performing Bio:
I started playing the guitar when I was 9 years old, and bass at 16. Since then I’ve played and recorded with bands and worship teams with many different band arrangements, and these experiences taught me just how versatile an instrument the guitar is. Similarly bass, along with percussion, forms the foundation of modern music. The infinite possibilities of these instruments make it impossible to run out of things to learn.
*Arnold Helmick, guitar & bass instructor
Teaching bio:
Arnold Helmick has been a performing and teaching musician for over 35 years specializing in electric and upright bass, and also has in depth experience with six-string guitar as well. He has performed across many genres, including pop, blues, classic rock, big band, and jazz combo. Arnie is one of the most sought-out professionals in the Mid Atlantic music scene; his understanding of music and professionalism is seen as boon for any musical project in need of critical stylistic skills for most genres.
Performance bio:
Arnold’s extensive performance resume is too broad to list here in its entirety, but highlights include: Founding Member of the Cumberland, MD Jazz Society, bassist/guitarist for many musicals, bassist for many jazz, blues, and classic rock bands in Western MD, visiting bass player for the Gary Marvel Orchestra and Ray Birely Orchestra; diverse music band Prophets of the Abstract Truth, blues band Stack o Blues, and jazz band the Danny Webber Trio. He also finds time most Sundays to play in the praise band at Cornerstone Community Church.
Teaching artist statement:
Mr. Helmick’s broad range of musical experience provides a strong concept of the key importance of the role of bass and guitar instruments across musical genres. His studio instruction introduces students to the depths of physiological adaptions that must occur in order for a student to develop the successful physical skills necessary to be an effective performer for all genres of music. Arnold also deepens his students’ understanding of the subtleties and demands for musicians for both the guitar and bass across the different genres of music. Arnold’s goal is not just to create a well-rounded instrumentalist, but a musician with a strong understanding as to what the demands of the music are in order to become a successful musician.
*Marie Hershey, accordion instructor
Artist Statement:
I consider myself to be a nurturing and relational teacher and especially enjoy beginner to intermediate students. My love for children motivated me to be a teacher. I have taught piano, organ and accordion; 5th grade; and college ESL in Nanjing, China. Now, much of my time is spent with piano students, both in classes and privately. The love I have for my students helps me to gain great satisfaction in seeing their success. My goal is for them to develop a love and joy for music with enough basic understanding to take with them into any other area of music.
Teaching Bio:
I have a B.S. from Liberty Un. with a concentration in music, teaching certification from Wilson College in Elementary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Wilkes Un. I also had a year of Applied Piano and Pedagogy from Shenandoah Music Conservatory. Although piano is my first love, I also had training as a certified Yamaha organ instructor and taught classes at Keyboard World at the Chambersburg Mall for 7 years. One of my greatest joys there was to have my classes, children and adults, perform in center court twice a year. At Cumberland Valley Christian School, I taught private piano for 15 years and 5th grade for 10 years. For 5 years I taught ESL in Nanjing, China. I have been at CVSM since 2000 teaching privately and classes, both children and adults. Presently, I am also taking training to be a certified Musikgarten instructor for children’s classes ages 6-9.
Performance Bio:
I have a B.S. from Liberty Un. with a concentration in music, teaching certification from Wilson College in Elementary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Wilkes Un. I also had a year of Applied Piano and Pedagogy from Shenandoah Music Conservatory. I have been teaching at CVSM since 2000. I became a church organist at age 15 and have played for many weddings, receptions, and other special events including playing accordion for a Chinese choir who performed Christmas concerts in Chinese hotel restaurants and also on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. I have recorded 2 CD’s. One is all accordion featuring polkas and oldies while the other one has more organ than accordion and is sacred music. I especially enjoy teaching classes at CVSM and seeing my students perform well.
*Chuck Krepley, banjo instructor
Chuck has been playing banjo in several styles since 1975. His first love was the hard-driving Bluegrass style, exemplified by players the likes of Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, J.D. Crowe, Bill Keith, and other Bluegrass luminaries. Within two years of first picking up the instrument, Chuck was teaching and playing in Pittsburgh-area Bluegrass bands. Within 5 years he was making his living with the banjo, teaching over 20 students a week and playing in bands on the weekends.
Since those early days Chuck has picked up the old-time Clawhammer style common in Appalachian mountain music, and even the earlier Minstrel or Stroke-style playing of the 1840’s and 1850’s. Lately he’s even been exploring the Irish style as played on the 4-string tenor banjo.
These days you’re more likely to hear Chuck performing Celtic music on the fiddle in one of several bands he performs with throughout the Middle Atlantic states, and even into Canada on occasion. He still manages to work the banjo into some of those performances, though.
Chuck loves to teach, and enjoys nurturing his students and watching them grow musically. He prides himself on helping his students discover just what it is they need to work on to improve their skills. He treats each student as an individual with different strengths and weaknesses, and enjoys guiding them along the path to discover the joy to be found in making their own music.
*Candice Mowbray, guitar instructor
Teaching artist statement:
Dr. Candice Mowbray has taught individual lessons, group classes, ensemble, music theory and music history for several colleges and educational institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. She earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Classical Guitar Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia, where she also taught from 2007-2017. As an active concert artist and guest lecturer, she shares her experience, knowledge and passion for music through well-rounded, individualized lessons. Her students range from college music majors to enthusiastic hobbyists. Dr. Mowbray works with absolute beginners as well as advanced students to cultivate an appreciation and community for the fine art of classical guitar performance, and she is active in the greater arts community as a coordinator and supporter of concerts and events. Adults, those learning in retirement, and students specifically interested in developing classical guitar skills are especially encouraged to inquire.
“Your style of teaching is outstanding and we have learned so much in such a short time frame.”–Group Guitar Student
Performance resume:
Appearing as a soloist, chamber musician and guest lecturer, Candice Mowbray has been a featured artist for the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Series, Knoxville Guitar Series, Bethlehem Guitar Festival, Austin Peay GuitarFest, LoneStar Guitar Festival, Toronto Guitar Weekend, Charlottesville Guitar Festival, Boulanger Initiative, Guitar Foundation of America Convention in Los Angeles and Ibero-American Guitar Festival at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. She has performed with Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, National String Symphonia, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington, Hub Opera Ensemble, Satori Chamber Ensemble and Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Her recent solo CD, Reverie, has been featured on radio shows such as In Tune (BBC Radio 3), The Intimate Guitar (Dayton, OH), G-Strings with Tom Cole (Washington D.C.) and Musica Mundi (Boulder, CO). Classical Guitar Magazine called the release “a revelation” and one of the Top 10 CD picks of the year.
Teaching Resume:
Mowbray earned the Doctorate of Musical Arts in Classical Guitar Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia where she studied with Dr. Glenn Caluda. Her playing and musical understanding have been further influenced through lessons and masterclasses with distinguished performing artists including Berta Rojas, Sharon Isbin, Roland Dyens, Maximo Diego Pujol and Carlos Barbosa-Lima.
Dr. Mowbray has taught courses in music and appreciation of the broader humanities at Shenandoah Conservatory, Hagerstown Community College, and for other colleges and organizations in the mid-Atlantic region. As a clinician and adjudicator, Mowbray has worked with students of all ages at programs including the TESS Guitar Festival in Connecticut, Mid-Atlantic Guitar Ensemble Festival, Loudoun County Middle and High School Guitar Festivals, and Performing and Visual Arts Northwest Virginia Governor’s School.
*Joel Newman, guitar & voice instructor
Teaching Artist statement:
My approach to teaching voice is different from teaching guitar, but in both cases, learning how to study/practice is paramount, as is a sense of self objectivity. That is what I try to teach my students. Each student is unique and I adapt my teaching to them. I teach using the music that the student wants to learn. Rock/Blues/Jazz/Soul/R&B/Funk/Country are my are my strengths on guitar, as well as music theory, improvisation, playing and singing, songwriting and technique. For voice I teach the time honored technique of Bel Canto. Though a classical technique, I am not a classical singer and I know it works for whatever style of music the student applies it to. My main focus when working with voice students is to get them to their biggest best vocal placement and teach them how to properly practice their songs. I love teaching, I love being there when the light bulb turns on. My burning desire is to ignite a spark then light and pass on the torch to any and all open hearts and ears.
Teaching Bio:
I consider myself “street learned” on guitar. I studied plectrum style guitar privately in NYC for many years with some name brand teachers, Allen Hanlon and Pat Martino to name a couple. I also studied music in classes from ‘Sounds of Joy’ studios and from the great bebop master Barry Harris. I studied Voice for nine years in NYC and in New Jersey in master classes and privately with Judy Hages. I find I’m constantly reinventing myself as a teacher, taking on summer youth rock camps, group singing classes as adjunct faculty @ Frederick Community College, and even coaching middle schoolers to sing musicals!
Performing Bio:
I’ve played and sang at many venues in NYC, (CBGB’s , Spiral, Lion’s Den, Dan Lynch etc.). But mainly was more of a session guitarist collaborating and recording with such old style greats as T.M. Stevens, Dr. John, David Sanborn, Miroslav Vitious, Dick Wagner, to name some. My biggest claim to fame is recording on the actor Tim Curry’s 3rd album for A&M records “Simplicity”, where I co wrote a song on the album. Since relocating to Maryland I’ve played in many bands from variety wedding bands, to R&B and Rock bands. I did a stint in Taipei Taiwan in the “Brown Sugar” house band for several months. Up until recently toured, recorded, co-wrote, and co produced with the now defunct western Maryland favorite Blues band “Moondog Medicine Show.” I still write, record and perform my original music.
*Michael Quinlivan, guitar & violin instructor
Teaching Artist statement:
Michael’s teaching method is a shared adventure in making music. Music is similar to karate or meditation, disciplines where one must focus the mind to be in the present moment. The inner battle of distraction versus being absorbed in an activity is what prevents beginning students from practicing and advanced students from achieving new levels of mastery. A great mentor and teacher can guide a student in developing the inner skills necessary to enjoy their time practicing and playing music while setting and reaching their goals.
Teaching Bio:
Chambersburg native, Michael Quinlivan, Jr. has been playing and teaching guitar throughout Pennsylvania for over 10 years. His first instrument was the viola, a love he later returned to during college, and started playing guitar in elementary school. After high school, Michael received his bachelor’s degree in music performance from Kutztown University, where he studied guitar and was a music theory tutor. He taught in the Reading area upon graduating and four years at The Lesson Center in Bethlehem where he taught students as young as 5 years old to retirees looking to start a new hobby, coached bands for music festivals, and started teaching beginner violin and viola. A devout guitar enthusiast, Michael seeks out opportunities to study with prominent jazz and rock guitarists in the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas so he may continue to grow and have more to share with his own students.
Performing Bio:
While attending college at Kutztown University, Michael performed and recorded with the KU Jazz Ensemble, which played at local jazz clubs, recorded four albums, and gave masterclasses at local high schools. Outside of the university, Michael played with the Reading Symphony Pops Orchestra, was a member of the pit orchestra at the Genesius Theatre in Reading, and was also a side musician for various folk, country, and rock groups. After graduating, Michael formed his own jazz quartet, Loose Measure, playing and recording throughout the Lehigh Valley and New Jersey, while continuing to be a side musician in r&b, funk, pop, folk, and rock bands, performing at prominent music venues in Allentown, Easton, and Bethlehem including the Steel Stacks venue during Bethlehem’s Musik Fest.
