Learn to Make Music - Staff Profiles

Staff Profiles

Debra Miller
Piano, Organ, and French Horn

Debra Miller received her Bachelors and Master Degrees in music performance from Northern Illinois University. She is currently the Director of Music at the Hinsdale United Methodist Church, serving as organist, accompanist, and conductor of the vocal and bell choirs. She has been the staff accompanist at both Hinsdale South High School and Lewis University and has accompanied hundreds of young musicians in competitions and recitals (and once was called upon to accompany world-reknowned French Horn artist Dale Clevenger). She has performed on French Horn with the Springfield Symphony, The Rockford Symphony, The Northshore Concert Band, and the Chicago Brass Ensemble among many others. Debra is currently an active member of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, the Music Teachers National Association, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and the National Guild of Organists. She has been teaching music students since 1990 and, as her other occupation, homeschools her three adolescent children.

Ryan R. Miller
Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba

Ryan R. Miller received his Bachelors degree in music performance from Northern Illinois University and his Masters degree in music performance from Roosevelt University. He has performed with the orchestras of Glenn Miller, Mel Torme, Regis Philbin, and Natalie Cole as well as local groups such like The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Sykyliners Big Band, The Illinois Philharmonic, The Peoria Symphony, the Chicago Trombone Authority, and has made countless other freelance appearances. He has been teaching since 1992. Along the way, several of his students have been chosen for the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) all-state festival (including two in 2009). Since 2006, 16 of his graduating high school students have gone on to study music education in college. In addition to being the director of both the Hinsdale Conservatory of Music, and the Downers Grove Conservatory of Music, he is also the Adjunct Professor of Trombone and Euphonium at Bradley University in Peoria, IL.

Mausumi Yoneyama
Flute

Japanese-American flutist Masumi Yoneyama has been described by the Chicago Tribune as having as a sound that is "colored by an impressive tonal palette and agile technique". Most recently, she was a soloist with the Protege Philharmonic at Navy Pier and co-soloed with internationally renowned flute soloist, Paula Robison. She has performed as a guest flutist throughout the Boston and Chicago metropolitan areas, in addition to New York, Tokyo, and even cities in England, Scotland, Germany, and the Netherlands (on a European tour with the Chicago Youth Symphony orchestra). Ms. Yoneyama recently completed her Masters Degree at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and currently, she is principal flutist of Chicago's Millenium Chamber Players.

Doug Scharf
Trumpet

Doug Scharf began working as a trumpet player and composer/arranger in the early 1970's in his home town of Chicago. He played and arranged for the Dave Remington and Roger Pemberton bands, Chicago's best big bands at that time. Scharf's abilities as a jazz improviser kept him busy playing modern and traditional jazz gigs. In 1986 Scharf moved to Los Angeles and wrote music and played trumpet in the house band for the Late Show With Joan Rivers. For that, he wrote original themes and also arrangements for guests such as Elton John and Thomas Dolby. Other writing/conducting work included large orchestral sessions for Roy Orbison, Cher, Bobby Caldwell, Jeff Lynne, Phil Ramone, George Benson, Juan Gabriel, TV show "Major Dad," and movies "Fern Gully," and "Salsa." While in L.A. Scharf played with the big bands of Bob Florence, Louie Bellson, and Ray Anthony.

As a trumpet player, Scharf has worked for Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Max Roach, Tony Bennett, Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Chuck Mangione, George Benson, Stevie Wonder, Clark Terry, Kenny Burrell, Tito Puente, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Glen Campbell, Curtis Mayfield, Steve Allen, Whitney Houston, Thomas Dolby, Phil Ramone, Jerusalem Jazz Festival, and several appearances at Chicago Jazz Festival. He currently performs with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, the bands of Brad Williams and Eddie Harrison, and the TV show "Svengoolie."

Alex Beltran
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute

Alex Beltran received a Bachelors of Music in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. While there he studied with famous jazz educator David Baker. In addition he has studied with Tom Walsh, Jim Snidero, Pat Harbison, Greg Fishman and Mark Colby. He was recently invited to the Steans Young Artists institute at Ravinia where he studied with jazz legends James Moody and Billy Childs. Alex has performed at such prestigious venues such as the Ravinia jazz festival and the Jazz Showcase. Alex teaches beginning through advanced saxophone and jazz improvisation. In addition he also teaches beginning clarinet and flute.

Sean Hurlburt
Saxophone

Sean Hurlburt received his bachelors and masters degrees in saxophone performance at Northwestern University under the tutelage of Dr. Frederick L. Hemke. As co-founder of the Amethyst Quartet, he continually works to promote and legitimize saxophone quartet in the chamber music world. To this end, the Amethyst Quartet has garnered first prizes at the Fischoff, Coleman, and MTNA chamber music competitions. As a soloist, Sean has played concerti with the Northwestern Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Northwestern Chamber Orchestra, Northwestern Movie Music Ensemble, and Simpson University Symphony Orchestra. His performances of Ingolf Dahl’s Concerto and Jacques Ibert’s Concertino da Camera have aired on Chicago’s WFMT and Public Radio International, respectively. Sean was invited as guest lecturer and clinician of saxophone to Stanford University, University of the Pacific Music Conservatory, Los Medanos Community College, Morehead State University, Vandercook College of Music, Marshall University, and Simpson University. In the fall of 2009, Sean began his doctorate in the musical arts at Northwestern University.

Terry Bartolotta
Electric and Acoustic Guitar

Terrry Bartolotta received his bachelor's degree in music performance from Northern Illinois University where he studied with world-renowned guitarist and educator Fareed Haque. While at NIU, he also studied with other well-known jazz musicians such as Ron Carter and Art Davis. He toured the midwest with the acclaimed NIU Jazz Ensemble and played at such venues as the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, the South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago, and the Sheldon Theater in St. Louis.He has also attended the exclusive Birch Creek Music Performance Camp in Door County, Wisconsin. He is currently attending graduate school for music at DePaul University in Chicago where he studies with acclaimed guitarist Bobby Broom. He has studied guitar for over thirteen years and taught guitar for four years. He has taught students of all levels and backgrounds and is happy to teach beginners as well as more advanced students.

James DiGirolamo
Upright/Electric Bass and Guitar

James has been performing for 30 years. He studied at the DePaul School of Music with jazz bassist Larry Gray. His performance experiences cover a wide range from recording sessions to pit orchestras to radio jingles and even several seasons with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra. He has played swing with The Riff Rockets, blues with Pinetop Perkins, rock with Burnt Toast, and jazz with Bob Mintzer. As a member of Nick Moss and the Flip Tops he can be heard in great Chicago venues like The House of Blues, and Buddy Guy's Legends. In addition to teaching privately he leads the Garage Band U. program, giving aspiring rock musicians the chance to play in a real band setting.

Jennifer Woodrum
Clarinet

Jennifer Woodrum holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Performance from Northwestern University. With 15 years of experience as a teacher, she enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels, from beginner to college level and everything in between. Jennifer prides herself on her ability to customize her curriculum and expectations for each student, while always striving to keep the student challenged, disciplined and most importantly, having fun. Jennifer's students have participated in Illinois All State Ensembles and several have gone on to study music at institutions such as the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University and DePaul University. Jennifer is currently on faculty at Trinity College in Deerfield and Carthage College in Kenosha. Besides teaching, Jennifer also judges several events a year for IMEA district competitions and IHSA solo competitions. Additionally, she has taught masterclasses and coached chamber music at Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana, University of Iowa in Cedar Falls and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. As a founding member of Chicago's dynamic chamber ensemble, Fifth House Ensemble, Jennifer stays very active as a performer presenting several concerts a year throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. Jennifer has been a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Rockford Symphony, and has performed with the Elgin Symphony, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the South Bend Symphony, and the Grant Park Symphony.