Yvonne Kocur, a flutist, is currently performing and teaching in the Northern Virginia area.  Yvonne came to us through our wonderful contacts at GMU. Yvonne holds both a Master of Music degree in flute performance, and a Bachelor of Music degree in instrumental music education from George Mason University.  Go to youtube.com to check out a clip from her graudate recital.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP-ZiNC9rMk)  Over her musical career she's had training in woodwinds, piano, and voice.  She performs regularly with the Capital Wind Symphony and the AgAu Flute Quartet (www.myspace.com/agauquartet). In May 2006, Yvonne was a member of the National Wind Ensemble, which performed in Carnegie Hall.  In addition to teaching privately, Yvonne teaches at a summer woodwind camp, and has taught flute sectionals at area schools. (not from JMU)

Alyssa Cowell has been singing most of her life. After a recommendation from the most excellent Pamela Potts of Loudoun County High School, she started private vocal training as a freshman in high school under the tutelage of Jennifer Gilmer, while taking as many choral classes LCHS would allow. After high school, Alyssa studied under Edward H. Bryant at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL; earning her Bachelor’s of Music, emphasis on Vocal Performance and the award for Most Outstanding Music Major in 2005. While in college, she was a devoted participant in all things music on campus – dividing her time between performing with the Southeastern Lyric Theatre, Chamber Choir, and working administration for the music department. These days, Alyssa does most of her singing as a substitute worship leader at her home church in Round Hill, Va.  (Also not from JMU)

Patrick Fritz holds a M.M. in Classical Guitar Performance from Shenandoah University where he studied with Dr. Glenn Caluda and Risa Carlson.  While at SU, Patrick served as adjunct guitar faculty teaching both undergraduate guitar majors and guitar classes.  Patrick also holds a B.M. in Music Industry from JMU where he studied with Keith Stevens and performed for a number of years in small jazz ensembles.  He has performed in master classes for such guitarists as Risa Carlson, Franco Platino, and Kevin Vigil.  Patrick subbed as a guitar teacher in the Loudoun Co. school system and was guitar faculty at Bishop O’Connell highschool in Arlington, VA from ‘05-’06.  In 2005, Patrick began to study, and teach young children with, the Suzuki Method for Guitar.  He has completed teacher trainings with David Madsen and Frank Longay and is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.  Patrick continues to perform on electric and acoustic guitars throughout the area and has toured nationally with the hip-hop groups Panacea and Restoring Poetry and Music.  

Matthew Richardson is a resident of Fairfax, VA where he teaches private violin lessons and performs with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, the McLean Orchestra, and substitutes with the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra. In May 2003, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from George Mason University where he studied violin performance with Peter Haase. During his time at Mason, Matt served as Concertmaster of both the Chamber and Symphonic Orchestras and had many opportunities to perform as a soloist with both ensembles. Some of his fondest musical memories are performing as the winner of the 2006 GMU Student Concerto Competition, and performing at the National Orchestral Institute at the University of Maryland. Whenever he isn't playing the violin, Matt likes to read, toss a frisbee, and play with his new German Shepherd, Gandalf.

Benjamin Pereyra is currently a senior pursuing undergraduate degrees in music education and performance. A native of Woodbridge,Virginia, Benjamin studied with Patricia Plombom prior to attending George Mason University. In high school, Benjamin was principal violist in the Youth Symphony Orchestra in Prince William County and played in the Gar‐Field Senior High School Marching Band and drumline. He also has participated in the Summer Music Institute at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. for the past several years. At George Mason University, he is a member of the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras and served  as principal and assitant principal,and also participates in the George Mason Pep Band, the Green Machine as “The Big Kahuna.” He has also studied viola under Edwin Johonnott, Prof. Ramon Scavelli, and most recently Phillipe Chao. Benjamin also freelances frequently in the Northern Virginia area with various string quartets.

Marc Powell recently graduated in May 2009 from JMU as an instrumental music education major. His main instrument is cello, but he has studied the other string instruments and piano. He has performed with the JMU Symphony, the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra, and the Blue Lake Festival Orchestra. Marc enjoys listening to and playing every kind of music, and hopes to one day play through every piece possible for cello (and hopefully play it well). He also likes to be out in nature, whether it is a walk in the park and a difficult hike on Skyline Drive.