Instructors
Joseph J. Chudyk Sean Brandle Ryan Buechle Heather Eastman Beth Faulstick Sarah Goldman Carl Handwerk Christopher Hamm Kyle Hummle Sherilyn Jones Jennifer Archbold Heather Kilmer Christopher Lorenzetti Keith Mcgonigle Keegan Lerch Dave Morganello Steve Rosati Eric Lear Joe Scheller Joseph T. Wagner Jeff Bowers Ellen V. Saylor
Joseph is a recent graduate of The University of Nevada Las Vegas where he earned his Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Drum Set under the direction of Professor Dave Loeb and Bernie Dresel (Brian Setzer Orchestra, Family Guy). During his studies at UNLV, Joseph traveled to Australia to perform at the Adelaide Fringe Festival (February 2009). He also held the college marketing representative position in Las Vegas for Warner Music Group. Joseph holds a B.A. in Percussion Performance from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania under the instruction of Frank Kumor, Steve Fidyk and Allison Miller (Ani DiFranco, Norah Jones). During his studies at Kutztown, Joseph had the opportunity to perform at the Paris Conservatory for the Perkumania Percussion Festival (November 2006); Argentina for the 5th Patagonia Percussion Festival (June 2007); Bangkok, Thailand for the College Music Society International Convention (July 2007); Toronto, Canada for the IAJE Conference (January 2008). Joseph owns is own studio, Greater Than Recording Studios located in Bath, Pa. He works there as an engineer, producer and studio musician.
Back To TopMusic is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything” - Plato
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Sheri began playing piano at the age of 14 simply to accompany herself with a solo she was given in the 8th grade. She could read music already because she played clarinet since 4th grade, so she started playing the piano on a keyboard she had at home. She taught herself bass clef, a few chords, and the rest is history! Singing is also something that is integral to her life, and although she only found she could sing late in her middle school years, it has become the most important gift to her. Being able to further her singing skills through high school and college, and now teaching and helping students of her own to sing is one of the biggest accomplishments in her life so far.
A 2006 graduate of Whitehall High School, she was actively involved in the music program. She participated in the Concert Choir, Chorale, Pop Group, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz band, the spring musical, and both County Band and Chorus for 4 years. She took two years of music theory in high school as well as one in college.
She is currently a senior at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre as an Elementary Education major with a music minor. She is involved in the University Chorus as manager and soprano section leader, a member of the Chamber Singers, University Civic Band, and plays clarinet with the Pep Band in the fall.
She also plays marimba, took dance lessons for 12 years, and is VP of the Wilkes University Dance Team.
Keegan Lerch has been playing trumpet for 16 years. He began his college career at Temple University in Philadelphia and finished his degree at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education.
While at Temple, he studied trumpet with Philadelphia Orchestra members David Bilger (principal trumpet), Jeffrey Curnow (associate principal), Robert Early (2nd trumpet), and Eric Schweingruber (1st alternate). He has also studied with Terrell Stafford (Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra), Lawrence Wright (Philadelphia Brass), Kevin Kjos (Kutztown University), and Kevin Long (Mainstreet Brass).
While at Kutztown University, Keegan was a member of the Jazz Ensemble I, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Brass and Trumpet Ensembles, Electronic Ensemble, and many other solo and chamber recital appearances. He is experienced in performance styles ranging from Renaissance to modern classical, jazz, and popular music. He performs regularly in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York and has performed in venues including Carnegie Hall, The Lincoln Center, The Kimmel Center, and The Kennedy Center.
In addition to performing, Keegan also volunteers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the “Jerry’s Kids” summer camp. He believes strongly in volunteer work and helping children in need.
Watching Roy Clark on television sparked Joe Wagner's interest in playing guitar when he was five years old. Raised in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, Joe taught himself how to play along with everything he heard. He learned to read music at a young age through private instruction at his school, was playing publicly by age eight, and by fourteen Joe's bands were playing at block parties, in downtown venues, and at church. After graduation, Joe moved to Philadelphia for school and expanded his musical range into other styles of music from the Philadelphia musicians he met there.
He continued to play all over the tri-state area as live performance is Joe's favorite part of music, but he has always found time for teaching. Incorporating his student's musical interests and goals into the lessons, he has taught beginner to advanced techniques and theory.
Joe has over twenty years experience in varying venues and genres playing all styles of rock, fusion and electronic music. He has toured and recorded with groups throughout the country. He moved back to Pennsylvania in 2008 after living in Asheville, where he led several bands to critical media acclaim. Joe’s past bands have been featured on numerous radio and television programs. He now maintains a busy teaching practice where he is sought as both a guitar and mandolin instructor.
He has performed live alongside many talented musicians in his career, including Rodney Holmes (Santana, Zawinul Syndicate, Steve Kimock Band}, Todd Stoops {RAQ, Kung Fu} Matt Butler {Hot Buttered Rum String Band}, Matt Homiak {The Sun Kings} Todd Troutman {the Big Dirty}, Mark Diomede {Juggling Suns}. He also performed with the Everyone Orchestra in 2010 as part of an all-star lineup assembled from players around the country.
Back To TopPlaying the bass has always been an integral part of Steve Rosati's life, you could say he was born to play bass. Under the guidance of his father who is also a musician Steve learned what the low notes were all about. tinkering on his fathers piano Steve always seemed to gravitate to the low end his father realizing this helped to encourage the young boy to seek out the bass so it was at the young age of 6 Steve got his first bass guitar, it wasn't long before Steve began playing songs alongside his father. In 5th grade, he began private instruction on the electric bass and this eventually lead to the upright bass. After high school Steve bounced around from school to school seeking out deeper understanding of music Starting at Berklee then onto Temple Univ. and finally Moravian college where In May 2001, Steve completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Bass Performance at Moravian College where he performed in the big band ,jazz combos and orchestra. At this same time Steve has performed with or studied with; Matthew Garrison,Tony Grey(HIromi), Charles Fambrough,Tom Kozic( Eddie Rabbit,Skip Willkens quartet), Paul Rostock(Absolute trio,Frank Sinantra JR),Janek Gwizdala (Mike Stern,Jem) Peter Paulsen, Neil Wetzel and Steve Kimock (Greatfull dead, Phil and Friends,Rat dog, Steve Kimock band)
Joe Scheller : AltoSax, TenorSax Baritone Sax and Clarinet
Joe has been playing music for fourteen years, beginning in 4th grade with the clarinet. In High School, Joe expanded his instrument base by including the alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone, performing in various different ensembles. Joe is a recent graduate of Kutztown University where he received his B. S. in Music Education. Joe studied Saxophone with Jeremy Justeson, Adam Kolker, Tim Price and Clarinet with Dave Smith. While at Kutztown, he was a member of the Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Marching Unit, and Saxophone Quartet.
Some of Joe’s accomplishments has been performing with the Lehigh Valley Jazz Ensemble with special guest David Liebman, and also going on various tours with the Kutztown University Jazz Ensemble to various different high schools to perform and participate in master classes for the students in attendance. Joe can also be heard on the recording “The Best is Yet to Come” with the Kutztown University Jazz Ensemble available on Sea Breeze Records. Joe currently resides in Bethlehem, and gigs in the area with various jazz groups.
In College, Chris was a voice major where he was a member of the University Choir, Bear Voices A Cappella chorus, After Hours Jazz Chorus, and Chamber Singers A Cappella classical chorus. He studied with Dr. Trucilla Sabatino, Dr. Dennis Williams, and Dr. Alan Apple. Chris also served as the Music Director and accompanist for Sunshine Players children theater at Kutztown.
Eric Lear ( Guitar and Piano )
Eric began playing guitar at age 13. By the time he was 15 he was playing in an agency-based Top 40 cover band at High School dances. Throughout his college career, he continued playing guitar and bass for a variety of cover bands in the Lehigh Valley and greater Philadelphia area. He is currently performing as vocalist/guitarist/keys with The Toga Party Band, guitarist in a Journey Productions fashion show, guitarist/vocalist for a solo acoustic show, and as an unaccompanied jazz/classical guitarist.
Highlights of Eric’s musical education include four years of private study with Greg Howe, a well known session/performing guitarist whose clients have included Michael Jackson, Enrique Iglesias, and ‘N Sync. In addition Eric has studied seven years with Frank Michael Flandorffer, Director of Classical Guitar Studies at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Because of Eric’s diverse musical background, he is comfortable teaching many different genres; from classic and current styles of blues, rock, and heavy metal to jazz and traditional classical fingerstyle study.
Eric enjoys teaching guitar, bass guitar, and beginning piano to all ages and currently works as a substitute teacher for the music departments at Easton Area High School and Easton Area Middle School.
Heather Kilmer (piano) Heather has been studying music since 2003. She began with private guitar lessons for 3 years and decided to move onto piano. Along with piano, Heather studied music theory at Parkland High School. To continue her music education, she is currently taking mandolin lessons at A. Starr Music. She recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Education (Spanish/French) from Kutztown University. She is thrilled to perpetuate her love of both music and education at A. Starr Music.
Keith has played/recorded both regionally and nationally with bands and artists such as Media Five band Faded Fortune, John Powers Band, Joe Tkach, Blues Brotherhood, Charles Fambrough, Todd Wolfe, Kronicles, Paul Thiessen, Scott Marshall, Honky Tonk Buicks, Mike Dugan, Windish Music & Productions The Had Knots and many others. Keith has also been recording with some up and coming artists in the Philadelphia area at Fuzztone Records (fuzztonerecords.com).
In addition to performing and recording, Keith maintains an active schedule teaching both privately and as the Percussion Instructor at The Leigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts ( LVPA.org ).
Jeff Bowers has been playing the guitar for over 20 years. His interest in music began when he was a small child, playing his dad's Beatles records until they ultimately wore out. A "jack of all trades" musician, he also sings, plays the bass guitar, piano, and drums. He began teaching the guitar in 2001 for a prestigious music school in Philadelphia's Main Line area. He has an Associates Degree in Arts & Humanities from Lehigh Carbon Community College, and in 2002 he had earned his certification as an Audio Recording Engineer from the Recording Connection Audio Institute. Jeff has played in multiple bands in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia areas, and in 2006 he released his first studio album titled "Humanly Organized Sound" in which he plays all of the instruments.
