2023 Faculty
Our amazing instructors for this summer!
We have an exciting and talented group of instructors this year.

Gretchen Brumwell
Harp
Ms. Brumwell is the Principal Harpist of Orchestra Iowa as well as the harp instructor at the University of Northern Iowa, Coe College, and the Orchestra Iowa School. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and humanities from Grace University, she holds a master’s degree in harp performance from Rice University and has studied with Paula Page, Mary Bircher, and the legendary Alice Chalifoux.

Edgar Campos
Trumpet
A native of Costa Rica with a Master of Music Degree from Roosevelt University, Edgar Campos has performed with a variety of orchestras in the area, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Elgin Symphony, and American Ballet Theatre. Outside of the United States, he has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica and the Sinfónica Nacional de Uruguay

Tal Cohen
Piano
Tal Cohen is a Grammy winner and a past winner of the Barry Harris National Piano Competition. He is currently located in Miami and leads his own ensemble, which has performed at the Jazzbez Jazz Festival and the Melbourne Jazz Festival. His unique style blends traditional jazz with the music of his Jewish heritage.

Dave Eggar
Cello
Dave Eggar is an extremely accomplished cellist. In addition to being a graduate of Harvard University and Juilliard School’s Doctoral Program, Eggar has performed with musicians such as Coldplay, Evanescence, and Beyonce. He also debuted in Carnegie Hall at age 15 and has performed on Broadway and with the Metropolitan Opera.

Phil Faconti
Guitar
Phil grew up in Brooklyn and began playing guitar at an early age. He studied classical guitar, music arranging, and orchestration at Brooklyn College. He taught music in the schools before turning his focus full time on the multiple bands he performs, arranges, and records with. Phil moved his work to Tennessee, where he works on a variety of performance projects with Dave Eggar.

Lisa Fako
Violin
Lisa Fako is a busy freelancer in Chicago. She has performed at many music festivals, including Tanglewood and Aspen. Her teachers include Betty Lambert, Victor Aitay, and Joseph Silverstein. Ms. Fako performs regularly with the Chicago Philharmonic, The Lyric Opera, and many other orchestras.

Jonathan Greenberg
Trombone
In addition to playing for Broadway shows such as Disney’s The Lion King and Wicked, Jonathan Greenberg has served on the low brass faculty of Hunter College and The City University of New York since 2009 and has held similar positions at The Avenues School and Manhattan School of Music. Jonathan has also enjoyed a freelance career in New York City. He has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and he is a founding member of the Carnegie Hall LinkUp Orchestra.

Andy Harris
Horn
In addition to teaching horn at Coe College, Wartburg, Kirkwood, and the Orchestra Iowa Symphony School, Charles (Andy) Harris performs with the Des Moines Symphony, the Orchestra Iowa quintets, and even the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. He has been featured as a soloist many times in his career, including with the Jefferson City Symphony in 1979 and the University of Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 1988.

Lynne Hart
Clarinet/Saxophone
In addition to teaching saxophone at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Lynne Hart runs her own private studio in Cedar Rapids. Over 100 of Hart's students have been accepted into the Iowa All-State Band/Orchestra. Hart earned her Master of Fine Arts Degree in woodwind performance from the University of Iowa and her Bachelor of Music Degree in theory and composition from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Carmen Llop Kassinger
Violin
Carmen Llop Kassinger is a freelance violinist in Chicago who has played with the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera, Joffrey Ballet, and many others. Her musical interests range from chamber music to Broadway. Carmen received her Masters in violin performance from the University of Miami.

Tamara Maddaford
Flute
Director and owner of Music Academy of the Rockies, Tamara Maddaford, began her musical journey at age eight taking flute and piano lessons. She went on to receive her BM from San Jose State University and her MM from the University of Iowa, both in flute performance. Mrs. Maddaford is also the principal flute of the Stratus Chamber Orchestra and has a private flute studio where students participate in recitals. Many of her students have gone on to major in music performance and education.

Phil O'Connor
Clarinet/Saxophone
Phil O’Connor is an extremely accomplished clarinet player who is currently a professor of clarinet for the Old Town Conservatory of Music in Pasadena and at the colleges in Riverside, California. Phil has performed with many fine ensembles from southern California, such as the orchestras of Long Beach and Pasadena and the Los Angeles Opera. As a clarinetist, he can be heard performing on numerous motion picture soundtracks and television shows.

Carol Rezabek
Dance
Carol Rezabek is currently the dance instructor in the theater department at Coe College and has choreographed extensively for theater productions in the Cedar Rapids area. Carol’s ballet students have attended programs such as the Joffrey Ballet Chicago's International Summer Dance Intensive. Rezabek earned her BFA with honors in dance performance from The University of Iowa and her MFA in dance directing from The Ohio State University. Carol teaches ballet at The Dancer's EDGE as an American Ballet Theatre® Certified Teacher.

Robert Rucker
Drums
Robert Rucker is a jazz drummer, music teacher, and composer who was raised in Miami, Florida. He earned his B.A. from the University of North Florida and his graduate degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Rucker has recorded and performed with Grammy award-winning artists such as Wynton Marsalis and John Daversa. Robert is also endorsed by Bosphorus and SoulTone Cymbals, and Canopus Drums.

Richard Wagor
Bass
Currently living in Cedar Rapids, Richard Wagor earned his BA in music from the University of Iowa and a MM from the Manhattan School of Music. Richard has played as a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and the Dubuque Symphony. He has also played with the Des Moines Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, the Quad Cities Symphony, the Illinois Symphony, and many more.

Johnathan Welch
Viola/Conductor
A native of Cincinnati, Jonathan Welch is in his 19th year of teaching and is currently the Director of Orchestras at Iowa City West High School. Welch also holds the title of Performance Music Coordinator for the Iowa City School District as well as President of the Iowa String Teachers Association. Previously, Welch has held the position of orchestra director of Linn-Mar Orchestra in Marion, Iowa, and Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ghyas Zeitieh
Cello/Conductor
In addition to his position at Coe College, Zeidieh serves as the music director of the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa and degrees in Music and Dentistry from the Damascus Conservatory and University. Previously, Zeidieh has served as an Instructor of Cello at Western Illinois University and was a member of the Julstrom Faculty String Quartet.