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OUR PEOPLE

STEVE AUERBACH

Executive Director • Keyboards/Production

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Steve is an award-winning concert producer and music educator who has created inclusive, equitable, high-quality, wellness-focused music instruction, performance, and production programs for youth since 2005.   Students under Steve's direction have gone on to careers in TV, radio, music education, and music therapy, as well as recording artists, producers, engineers, and hobbyists.   Prior to his work with youth, Steve worked with members of Van Halen, The Jacksons, Dio, Kansas,  Jane's Addition, The Stooges, Frank Zappa,  George Clinton, and more.     Learn more here.

NICK ZUNKOWSKI

Program Coordinator • Woodwinds

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Nick Zunkowski is a Saxophonist and Guitarist who earned his undergraduate degree in Commercial Music from Snow College. At Snow College, Nick studied with renowned saxophonists such as Patrick Cornelius and Chase Baird, since then Nick has been an active performer in the Utah music scene.

ZAKKARY HALE

Rock Program • Guitar, Vocal, Drums, Production

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Zakkary   has   served as Rock Music Director for music   schools in Salt Lake City  and Seattle for the last 12 years. Zakkary is the founding member of the  Progressive Alternative band “MELODRAMUS”(3 full length albums) and has  composed & recorded music for television (“King’s Of Crash”) and worked with artists such as   Matt Winegar, Adrian Gurvitz, Vinnie Colaiuta, Vendetta Red and Derek Sherinian.    Zakk's current projects are “Zakkary Hale’s Fire Garden” and “MELO”.

SAM  COTTRELL

Guitar, Ukulele,  Music Production

Sam Cottrell

Sam Cottrell   studied Guitar Performance at Utah State University  and then attended the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Science in  Tempe, AZ where he received  a    Masters in    Recording.  Sam currently performs with the band, Toast - a Bread tribute band as well as the Irish rock band, Swagger.    Sam has taught for Blue Fret Music in Kaysville, UT, Discount Music in Bountiful, UT and with Steve and Terence at  School of Rock.

JOE CHISHOLM

Trombone

Joe Chisolm

Joe Chisholm received his bachelor's degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Utah in 2003 and holds a master's degree in Jazz Studies. Joe works professionally in the greater Salt Lake area as a performer and educator.

DANTÉ GIACOBASSI

Violin, Viola, Mandolin, Guitar