A Waterfall of Music

Gavin Carney is a music educator, performer, and doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Musical and Arts program in Trombone Performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Carney has recently moved to the Twin Cities to continue his music career. His research focuses on the integration of music theory into the private teaching studio. In addition to his studies at UMKC, Gavin holds music degrees from the University of Iowa and Washington State University. In addition to his notable performing experiences on tenor, alto, and bass trombone, Gavin has been an active pedagogue. Some of his past teaching experiences include serving as a Lecturer in Music at Truman State University, leading a large private studio in the Kansas City metropolitan area, giving numerous clinics and masterclasses in Washington, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, as well as adjudicating for multiple festivals and academic performances. Gavin’s students have seen success in many of their playing opportunities and he strives to give his students a well-rounded music education by including aural skills, written theory, and history into weekly lessons. Pedagogical goals for students include self-assessment and comfort on their instrument. He teaches students of all ages and has multiple years of experience working with students with special learning needs such as Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and ODD.

Samantha Hogan began studying piano in 2000 and has been increasingly involved in music ever since! She is currently a freelance composer and trombonist in the Twin Cities Metro and has played with many diverse groups such as The Minneapolis Civic, Golden Valley Orchestra, Westwind Swing Band, Swing Sisterhood Big Band, Minneapolis Trombone Choir, Coffoa Brass, and others. Samantha earned a Degree in Music from Youngstown State University and loves to share her knowledge and love of music with both Children AND Adults. As a teacher, she aims to give her students the skills to be lifetime learners and have some fun along the way.

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Jose David Carrillo Silliezar comes from a musical family. Starting on the violin at the age of four under his mother's instruction, he was also shaped early as a conductor by his father, a choral conductor himself. While finishing schooling in Costa Rica and working for the Universidad de Costa Rica, David was also an active performer, giving solo and chamber recitals in Costa Rica, Italy, El Salvador, Peru, Panama, Nicaragua, and across the United States. David holds an undergraduate degree in violin performance from the University of Minnesota and is currently finishing a doctoral degree in orchestral conducting and violin performance at the same institution. David is currently studying with Dr. Mark Russell Smith and Sally O’Reilly. When David is not busy conducting or playing his violin he enjoys cooking, playing chess and hiking around the many lakes in the Twin Cities area.