Daniel Horning is a graduate from The University of the Arts with a B.M. in Trumpet Performance and a Master of Arts in Teaching.
Ryan Leaver started his journey in music education at the Community Music School
(Trappe, Pa) in 1996 at the age of 16. While attending CMS for three years, he studied guitar and music theory with Eric Sessler, Don Reese, and James Kinney.
After graduating high school from Perkiomen Valley in 1998, he attended the Berklee College of Music receiving a B.A. in Jazz Composition in 2003. During this period, he studied privately with Dennis Sandole, Charlie Banacos, George Garzone, Bob Moses, Joe Morris, John Thomas, Ben Sher, Jack Pezanelli, and John Wilkins, attended masterclasses and clinics with Mick Goodrick, Dave Liebman, Chuck Loeb, Frank Tibeiri, Charlie Kohlhase, Chad Smith, Laszlo Gardony, Jamey Haddad and Alex Skolnick, and took single lessons with Ran Blake, Ben Monder, Ron Thomas, and Tony Marino.
In 1999, he attended the National Guitar Summer Workshop with masterclasses given by Jack Wilkins, Mark Dziuba, Peter Bernstein, and Howard Alden (he was able to perform with Howard Alden). Mr. Leaver taught at the Community Music School as a guitar instructor in 2002-2003 before pursuing graduate studies.
In 2006, he received a M.A. in Modern American Music from the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, MA. Longy’s unique graduate programs curriculum consisted of focused studies in the Alexander Technique, the Feldenkrais Technique, Eurhythmics, Harmolodics (Ornette Coleman) and the Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization (George Russell). While at Longy, he continued his jazz studies with the Fringe (Bob Gullotti, George Garzone, and John Lockwood) and also studied classical guitar with Thom Noren, saxophone with Stan Strickland, ensemble studies with Charlie Kohlhase, and composition with John Morrison. He attended masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Allen Forte, Robert & Pozzi Escot, Robert Willoughby, Bob Moses, Greg Bendian and Karl Berger.
From 1999 to 2009, Mr. Leaver earned 60+ credits in a variety of subjects at the Montgomery County Community College. In 2009, he became an adjunct professor at the Northampton Community College teaching music fundamentals classes.
In 2012, Mr. Leaver became an instructor at the Community Music School again after performing at their annual Alumni Concert. In 2013, he received a Certificate of OrtonGillingham Teacher from the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Allentown. In 2016, he attended the Golandsky Institute’s Summer Piano Symposium at Princeton University. In 2017, he became an instrumental, ensemble, and music theory instructor at the Kimberton Waldorf School in Kimberton Pennsylvania.
Mr. Leaver has been studying drums privately with Master Drum Educator Martin Bradfield since 2018. In 2020, he completed the Teacher Certification Program at Immaculata University and was awarded Level I Certification (K-12) to teach music in the state of Pennsylvania.
Alec Charon is a guitarist, composer and educator currently based in South Philadelphia, originally from Providence, Rhode Island. Growing up on a healthy diet of jazz, folk and classic rock, Alec has an intense appreciation for the guitar which he hopes to impart on others. Alec is a graduate from Temple University with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Composition. He studied guitar, arranging and composition under Peter Bernstein, Bruce Barth, Greg Kettinger and Dick Oatts. He also contributed his talents to various graduate projects in Temple’s Musical Theatre MFA program. Alec can be heard performing in musical theatre orchestras and performance venues throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. He has worked on productions at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center and Music Mountain Theatre. In addition, Alec is a member of North-Philly based rock band The Whethermen. Alec believes in an intuitive approach to teaching focusing on healthy technique, aural skills, self-expression and improvisation.
MM, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Bob Schwanger has been a private clarinet, saxophone and flute instructor for over 30 years in the Boyertown, Pottstown, Twin Valley and surrounding areas. He’s a 1976 graduate of Bloomsburg State College. He has played lead clarinet in the Boyertown Alumni Band for nearly 40 years. He especially enjoys playing jazz tenor sax in the Sunnybrook Jazz Band. He also plays with the O’Such Rhythm and Music Band and has been active in worship groups locally.
Alec Charon is a guitarist, composer and educator currently based in South Philadelphia, originally from Providence, Rhode Island. Growing up on a healthy diet of jazz, folk and classic rock, Alec has an intense appreciation for the guitar which he hopes to impart on others. Alec is a graduate from Temple University with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Composition. He studied guitar, arranging and composition under Peter Bernstein, Bruce Barth, Greg Kettinger and Dick Oatts. He also contributed his talents to various graduate projects in Temple’s Musical Theatre MFA program. Alec can be heard performing in musical theatre orchestras and performance venues throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. He has worked on productions at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center and Music Mountain Theatre. In addition, Alec is a member of North-Philly based rock band The Whethermen. Alec believes in an intuitive approach to teaching focusing on healthy technique, aural skills, self-expression and improvisation.
We are pleased to welcome pianist and educator Hye Kyung Choi to the Community Music School family. Ms. Choi has over 30 years of teaching and performing experience. She received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree, both in Piano Performance, from Hanyang University. She also studied Collaborative Piano Program at the Sungshin Women’s University. In addition to her rich teaching background, she also has held several positions in multiple churches internationally and in the United States. Hye Kyung currently works for the Antioch Church of Philadelphia as the choir accompanist. She is also the founder and music director of the Antioch Youth Orchestra, conductor of the Silver Choir, and an assistant teacher in the Antioch Preschool. Hye Kyung is an active member of the Philadelphia Korean Musicians Association.
We are pleased to welcome pianist and educator Hye Kyung Choi to the Community Music School family. Ms. Choi has over 30 years of teaching and performing experience. She received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree, both in Piano Performance, from Hanyang University. She also studied Collaborative Piano Program at the Sungshin Women’s University. In addition to her rich teaching background, she also has held several positions in multiple churches internationally and in the United States. Hye Kyung currently works for the Antioch Church of Philadelphia as the choir accompanist. She is also the founder and music director of the Antioch Youth Orchestra, conductor of the Silver Choir, and an assistant teacher in the Antioch Preschool. Hye Kyung is an active member of the Philadelphia Korean Musicians Association.
Alan has been playing piano professionally for over thirty years. A versatile pianist comfortable performing both jazz and classical, Alan is also skilled at blues and boogie, Latin, Ragtime, showtunes and pop music. Alan has been a featured performer for The North Carolina Jazz and World Music Society, the Circular Church Jazz Vespers Series (Charleston), The Atlanta Symphony Associates, as well for many other concert events.
Neil Kulick holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from West Chester University, having studied with Dr. Igor Resnianski. During his time at WCU he was also the Vice President of the West Chester University’s Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA) Undergraduate Collegiate Chapter. Neil has participated in numerous Honors Keyboard Recitals at WCU and also accompanied the West Chester University Symphonic Band and the WIC Wind Ensemble. Neil was the recipient of the Patti S. Wiggins Scholarship and the M. Gottlieb B. Piano Scholarship. Neil is a member of the National Music Teachers Association and enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels. Neil takes a broad approach with teaching. He uses many publications in his teaching as well as creating arrangements of pieces for his students. He makes a concerted effort to meet each student’s goals as well as challenging them to reach a new potential. Neil has students prepare recitals as well as competitions and exams in the area. Neil is also on faculty at Settlement Music School, Valotta Studios and maintains a private teaching studio.
A native of Philadelphia, Ms. Levicoff began playing the violin at age six, taking private lessons from Philadelphia Orchestra violinist Joseph Lanza and, later, from Robert, Julia, and William dePasquale, also Philadelphia Orchestra musicians. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Violin Performance from The Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and a Master of Arts Degree in Education from LaSalle University.Valerie is passionate about teaching and enjoys working with young children through adults. In addition to recently teaching at Ambler Music Academy, and presently coaching viola with PRYSM strings, Ms. Levicoff is an Adjunct Professor of Music at Arcadia University. She also served as a full time teacher in the Philadelphia School District for twenty four years receiving numerous awards for outstanding educational contributions.
Emily McDonald is a graduate of Kutztown University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance in 2018. She studied violin under teachers Dr. Mary Ogletree and Dr. Peter Isaacson, while adding proficiencies in viola, piano, voice, and guitar. A highlight of Emily’s undergraduate time was leading the Kutztown University orchestra from the concertmistress chair, as well as being a founding member of the gypsy jazz band Gateau au Chocolat. Studying jazz, blues, Irish fiddle genres and the art of improvisation has complimented her classical training into a well-rounded player.
Praised by the Maryland Theater Review as having a voice that “rings out..smooth as silk”, soprano Bailey Jo Oehler captures audiences with her soaring lyric coloratura lines and lovely stage presence. She has performed in eight countries and has been seen in over thirty productions around the world. Bailey Jo received her Masters Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, as well as two Bachelor degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. While in the Baltimore area, she performed with the Baltimore Musicales, the Handel Chorus of Baltimore, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and served as a section soprano with several professional church ensembles. She has interned with the Opera of St. Louis, traveled to Italy to perform with the Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival, and was a Young Artist at the Songfest Festival in Los Angeles. She is a passionate music educator, having worked as an elementary music teacher in Maryland public schools, voice faculty for the Peabody Preparatory, and a private lesson teacher. She is currently working as an elementary music teacher in the Owen J. Roberts school district. Bailey Jo is thrilled to be joining the faculty of the Community Music School!
Brenna has been a music educator for 9 years and has a degree in both music education and vocal performance. She specializes in early childhood education and enjoys using music as a tool to enrich and help children develop. One thing Brenna likes to incorporate in every class is fun! She believes learning happens best when kids are happily engaged. She has a husband and two kids of her own (4 and 2 years old). When she’s not dancing around singing Disney songs, you’ll find Brenna taking walks with her family, reading, and finding new adventures.
