Dr. Margaret Goreshnik - Director of Allegro Music Academy
Don Bryn - pianist, composer and arranger--moved to Sarasota in 2008 from Hawaii after 15 years of touring the globe. During that time, he has played and conducted for over 300 shows a year, including performances by Burt Bacharach, Lorna Luft, Nestor Torres, John Raitt, Jim Neighbors, and Charro, as well as Musical Directing and conducting the national revival tour of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”. He has also played jazz, classical, and cocktail piano, both solo and leading small jazz groups for everything from ballroom dancing to large formal events. He now plays private events in the area as well as playing with “Jennifer Leigh and Her New Digs ” in local Sarasota venues. He also teaches piano and music theory at the Allegro Music Academy . Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Don has also performed with the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and in a very special performance for the Pittsburgh Symphony where he played the piano―in full costume―as Mozart.
Don received his Piano Performance and Music Technology degree from Duquesne University as well as his Masters degree in composition. He has become known for his arrangements for jazz and show bands—skills learned by playing for so many successful 'society' gigs. Don has composed pieces for everything from classical guitar to new music and electronic ensembles, although composing for large orchestra is his favorite. Don is also an avid photographer, backpacking explorer, speaks Spanish and basic Russian, and is trying to learn Japanese.
Don also teaches piano with the philosophy that anyone can enjoy playing music at any level. He tries to encourage his student's passion while instilling the technique necessary to improve.
Diana Kaeding - graduated Boston University with a degree in vocal performance. She sang with Opera company of Boston under Sarah Caldwell, and leading roles in Boston University Opera, Harvard Opera, Cambridge Opera, Lowell House Opera, and Lowell Opera Company. In 1977 She sang the role of Konstanze in Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio at Sanders Theater in Cambridge, which was simultaneously broadcast by a Boston radio station. She appeared as guest soloist with major choral societies in New England and was a regional Metropolitan Opera finalist.
She then moved to Germany where she sang in a Gala Opera evening at the Deutsches Theater with Soloists from the Munich State Opera. Some of her roles which were performed at, among others, Stadtheater Weilheim and The Groebenzel Orchester, were Susanna, Zerlina, Konstanze, and Blondchen, by Mozart and Rosina by Rossini. She also performed 3 of Donizetti's roles; Norina, Adina and Lucia. She was engaged to perform Donizetti at Opera Split in Yugoslavia. As soloist she made numerous oratoriao appearances, including Handel's Messiah several times, as well as many Mozart and Haydn Masses including Haydn's Creation with Munich University. Locally she has performed as soloist with Anna Maria Orchestra in Handel's Messiah and Bach's Cantata 51.
Allen Shetler, a Florida native, began his musical training at age 12. His experience with the viola and violin spans more than 2 decades.
His teachers include Dr. Margaret Goreshnik, LeeAnne Darling, and Valerie Hyer.
His playing experience includes work with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, other Chamber and Symphonic Orchestras, as well as numerous professional gigs.
Allen’s teaching experience includes coaching professional
String Ensembles and work from his own studio.
Allen became a violin restoration artist through independent study, internship, apprenticeship, and several mentors. His work has been the subject of Media Coverage, Educational Exhibits open the public, and as focal points in history museums. Instruments from his collection have been heard in the Amsterdam Baroque Conservatory, and Opera Companies across Italy. His mentors include local pioneers Charlie Jablonski, inventor of the Tourte Mute, and Chris Whitlock, who served community professionals and students alike.
Jerome Butler - After his debut performance with the Bachanalia Festival Orchestra in Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Jerome Butler was hailed by the New York Times as "...the superb double bass soloist [who] climbed fearlessly into his extreme treble register, even breaking into a smile as his fingers danced dangerously close to the bow." World renowned solo bassist,
Gary Karr, calls Butler an exemplar of "the next generation in solo double bass playing."
A former student of world renowned solo double bassist Gary Karr, Eugene Levinson (principle double bassist of the New York Philharmonic), Larry Wolfe (assistant principle double bassist Boston Symphony Orchestra) among others. Jerome's technique has been labeled as a naturalist for his approach to concert pieces such as Bottesini's Grand Duo Concertante with world renowned violinist Nina Beilina and the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Tampa Bay Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Heller.Since his debut, Butler has given numerous solo recitals in halls that include New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the 92nd Street YMHA, as well as the Gardiner Museum of Boston.
He has appeared as featured soloist with orchestras such as the Sarasota Orchestra (formerly known as the Florida West Coast Symphony), the 92nd Street YMHA, and the Johansson International Music Festival in British Columbia in Canada. He is currently Double Bassist with the South Shore Symphony Orchestra, The Venice Symphony and the Bachanalia Festival Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Nina Beilina. Stickley Music announced a major landmark, 60-minute, DVD performed by Jerome Butler, bass, and Paul Ramsier, piano.
Anton Cutajar - Born on the Island of Malta in Europe, Anton started studying violin at the age 7. By the age of 15 Anton had already become an accomplished player and had won several competitions and played 1st chair with the Malta Youth Orchestra. Eventually Anton moved to Toronto Canada, where he continued his music education at the Toronto Royal Coservatory Of Music under world renown Albin Berky and also studied theory under the guidance of the London Trinity College Of Music. . By age 20 Anton gained a lot of experience playing in several performances as as a soloist and with string ensemble in the greater Metropolitan Toronto area. During this time, Anton had also become interested in playing guitar and started mastering the guitar learning different styles and techniques. Currently Anton is a full time private music instructor specializing in violin/fiddle techniques and " on the spot" improvisation techniques. Anton also specializes in performing elegant and diverse music at weddings and other private party events providing a violin solo or a duet with a classical guitar. Anton's other passion is playing acoustic rock with local bands in our local Sarasota area music scene.
