Author Archives: michaelcatanzaro

John Bennum

Guitar, Drums, Piano, Ukulele, Bass, Trombone, Euphonium/ Baritone

John is currently a student of the Jazz and Improvisational Music program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Previously he attended Northwestern University, where he studied classical trombone with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. As a high school student he received numerous awards and accolades for his participation in Washoe County and Nevada State solo and ensemble competitions, and held the position of Principal Trombone with the Reno Youth Symphony Orchestra for four years. John has attended the internationally renowned summer program at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan on a full-ride Governor’s Scholarship.

An active member of the Reno-Truckee-Tahoe music scene, John plays trombone with the Reno Jazz Orchestra, and is in demand as a freelancer. As a multi-instrumentalist, he has worked with many different groups across all styles. He has an advanced knowledge of music theory, and draws on a wealth of experience working as a composer, arranger, and recording artist. John believes that music lessons should be fun first and foremost, and strives to tailor his lessons to the individual.

Mark Henasey

Bass, Guitar, Piano, Trumpet, Saxophone

Mark graduated with a Music Education degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst. He enjoys performing and teaching students of all ages. His teaching methods are diverse and oriented towards each student’s specific musical personality.

He spent nine years as a Faculty Instructor for the Summer Institute for the Gifted teaching music courses at Princeton University, UCLA, Drew University and Bryn Mawr College. He also worked as a high school music director for a private boarding school for seven years.

His original compositions have been featured on University of Princeton radio (WPRB 103.3) and his projects have opened for many international touring acts including Ween, The Wailers, Bernie Worrell (P-Funk and Talking Heads) and Vernon Reed (Living Color).

Mark is also the Split Rock Music School director.

Mark Sexton

mark sexton

Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Voice

Mark is a professional musician with years of experience in teaching and performing music around the country. As a graduate of the University Of Nevada Reno, Mark studied under the jazz program’s top guitarists. He loves inspiring people of ALL ages and ability levels. Showing his students the techniques and tools to take their guitar and piano playing to the next level.

Nate Maier

Guitar, Ukulele

Nate grew up in a musical household, playing piano and guitar. He began study under acoustic guitarist Andrew Schiller at 14 years old and, continued with formal private instruction until age 18. Through college Nate played in local bands in the Boulder/Denver area of Colorado.

Nate has a strong background in fingerpicking and flat-picking techniques, as well as in the foundations of rhythm and improvisational lead guitar, and guitar performance.

Nate’s inspirations come from across the musical spectrum. From bluegrass to rock, to jazz and funk, to improvisation based performance. Nate is a patient teacher with a wealth of techniques and exercises to enable students to quickly reach a solid understanding of musical theory and technique.

Ryan Taylor

Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Harmonica and Banjo

Ryan grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano as soon as he was big enough to sit at the keyboard. He took piano lessons from the age of 4 to 16 and continued with guitar instruction through high school and while studying Music Education and Theory at the University of Southern Maine.

Ryan first began performing in jazz groups with his father and grandfather at the age of 12 and has never stopped being an active stage musician since. He is currently a member of the national touring act the Mark Sexton Band and is a founding member of local groups Terraplane and Thick Newton. He has opened for Modest Mouse and shared the stage with Karl Denson.

Ryan’s teaching style focuses on directing students down a path that will lead them to having a full and well-rounded musical education and possessing the technique necessary to play the music they want to play.