Ovidiu Manolache is a multi-instrumentalist, conductor and a teacher who received his Master of Arts Degree in Music Performance from Arizona State University.
Mr. Manolache also studied at George Enescu University of Arts--where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance--and at Hochschule fur Musik in Karlsruhe, Germany. Ovidiu has been teaching students of all ages and levels for over 13 years.
He worked as a music teacher at Ambassadors Preparatory Academy in Galveston and as a Secondary Orchestra Director at South-Houston High School. He currently teaches for Bay Area Youth Symphony in Friendswood and serves as Assistant Orchestra Director at Hodges Bend Middle School in Houston.
Mr. Manolache has performed internationally and in the United States with orchestras such as the "Moldova" Symphony (Romania), Reutlingen Philharmonic (Germany), Lubbock Symphony Orchestra (Texas), Clear Lake Symphony (Texas) and Galveston Symphony (Texas).
Thanushka Bandara is a Houston based performer, composer, producer and teacher. Upon completion of high school (where he played violin for the school orchestra, and guitar and drumset for local bands) he set out for a degree in drumset performance at the LA College of Music and studied under renowned drummers such as Ralph Humphrey, Mike Shapiro, and Joe Porcaro. Following his graduation, Thanushka returned to Houston and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at the Moores School of Music (University of Houston) under the mentorship of internationally acclaimed pianist Dr. Tali Morgulis. He has been selected for masterclasses with artists such as Inon Barnaton, Sandro Russo, and David Korevaar.
Thanushka's instinctive musical abilities have generated a decade-long teaching career. His capacity to play multiple instruments allows him to teach a spectrum of ages, levels and genres. A natural composer and arranger, Thanushka also collaborates regularly with Houston artists playing classical, jazz, rock and pop music as well as composing and producing. He also composes for and leads his own band that performs his original music. His first album "Initial Dream" was released in February 2018, and he is currently working on his second one, set to release soon in early 2019.
Houston born musician, singer/songwriter, and composer Tony Moore started his musical journey at the age of 6 where he picked up the violin. He has performed violin in solo and ensemble settings, having played at Rice University, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and Houston Baptist University by the age of 9 with Houston Young Artists’ Concerts. Throughout his youth, Tony has performed with the Greater Houston Youth Orchestra and Houston Youth Symphony, while also excelling at both region and all state orchestra and solo/ensemble.
Tony has attended the University of Houston, where he received his bachelor's degree in violin performance in 2019 where he continued to hone his skills through classical violin pedagogy. He also has received a degree in Music Business. Throughout college he had continued to play in the University Symphony Orchestra Ensemble, while also volunteering with the Texas Medical Center Orchestra.
Mr. Mack is an accomplished drumset educator and performer with over fifteen years of
experience in teaching and performing a diverse range of musical styles, including jazz,
rock, funk, and classical. He specializes in developing technique, rhythm, and musical
expression in students of all ages and skill levels.
With a deep passion for rhythm and percussion, Mr. Mack emphasizes the importance of
creativity and improvisation in drumset education. He employs a personalized teaching
approach, tailored to each student's interests and goals, fostering a love for music while
building solid foundational skills. His curriculum includes topics such as timing, dynamics,
proper technique, and the exploration of various musical genres.
As an active performer, Mr. Mack has played with notable artists and bands, showcasing
his versatility on stage. He has participated in various regional and national music festivals,
further enhancing his performance experience and deepening insights into contemporary
drumming.
Mr. Mack is excited to continue sharing his passion for drumming and guiding the next
generation of musicians toward their own musical journeys.
Noah Pujol is a multiple woodwinds performer, teacher, and improviser specializing in clarinet, flute, and saxophone.
A native Texan, Pujol received his BM in clarinet performance at Indiana University where he studied with Eli Eban, and MM in clarinet performance from the University of Michigan where he studied with Daniel Gilbert and Chad Burrow. An active freelancer, Pujol enjoys and has experience playing a variety of styles in chamber groups, musical theater productions, and jazz ensembles.
He held the position of principal clarinet of the Dearborn Symphony for the 2023-2024 season while pursuing his masters degree, during which he also played in the University Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, chamber ensembles, Creative Arts Improvisation Orchestra, and jazz ensembles.
In his free time, he enjoys listening to jazz and being an amateur birdwatcher.
Brendan is Jazz Bassist, composer, band director and a teacher who is currently at his second year of graduate study at Eastman Music School in Rochester NY.
Brendan graduated from University of North Texas, Jazz Studies Major, where he received his Bachelor Degree for Bass Performance.
Brendan directed the rhythm section of Jazz Singer band at Eastman and worked as a music Instructor at Eastman Community Music School for private lessons and jazz combo rehearsals.
Brendan is an active bassist perform and record albums in New York jazz scenes. He accept bass students of all levels online only.
Ms. Cuellar graduated from the Moore’s School of Music, University of Houston, with a bachelor’s degree in classical performance. Upon graduation, she auditioned and got accepted in various opera houses, touring and performing in the Southeast as well as in “Opera to Go” with Houston Grand Opera.
Ms. Cuellar is an active jazz singer. She does jazz standards from the Great American Song Book that would be swing, ballads, bossa nova, latin tunes and some pop tunes thrown in for the mix. Her voice has been described as smooth, playful and heartfelt. Singers that she has been compared to are Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day and Diana Krall.
Ms. Cuellar does vocal improvisation "scatting" and sings in different languages, aside from English she also sings in Portuguese, Spanish and some French. She had the honor of singing at The Trinity Jazz Festival.
Ms. Cuellar has been teaching piano and vocal students for over 15 years.
