Percussion

Leon Khoja-Eynatyan

ntakagi — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 21:20:14 +0000

Leon Khoja-Eynatyan ntakagi Fri, 08/25/2023 - 16:20

Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan was ordained to the holy priesthood in July 2010 by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, at St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C. Fr. Khoja-Eynatyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia, where he pursued a career in music. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, and the Maimonides State Conservatory of Moscow, Russia. Fr. Hovhan has been a member of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pekarsky Percussion Ensemble, and the Moscow Modern Music Ensemle, and has taught at the Yerevan conservatory and the Spendiarov School of Music. Growing up in Soviet Armenia, the young Leon Khoja-Eynatyan had few opportunities to learn about Armenian Christianity. He was first introduced to the Bible by his grandparents, but it wasn't until decades later, when he relocated to the United States, that he would really become active in parish life. In 1999, he moved with his family to the United States, and settled in Washington, D.C., where he began attending St. Mary Church. He served for many years as an organist and conductor at the church, and in 2000 he founded the church's well-known Narek Bell Choir. He also served on the Diocese's Sacred Music Council, and for four years led its Boyajian Choir Leadership Development Program for young choir members. At the encouragement of Archbishop Barsamian, he began taking courses at Catholic University of America in Washington, and in 2008 he enrolled at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, NY. He was ordained to the diaconate in August 2008, and graduated from St. Nersess Seminary in May 2010.

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Awards and achievements:
Many of Mr. Khoja-Eynatyan's accomplishments are reflected in his involvement with various organizations and ensembles over the years. He has been a member of the American Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pekarsky Percussion Ensemble, and the Moscow Modern Music Ensemble. In addition, he has taught at the Yerevan Conservatory and the Spendiarov School of Music.

Academic Title

Percussion Faculty

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Interests outside of music:
Outside of the music world, Mr. Khoja-Eynatyan is also a Reverend. He began taking courses at Catholic University of American in Washington, and in 2008 enrolled at St. Neress Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, New York. He was ordained to the diaconate in August 2008, and graduated from St. Neress Seminary in May of 2010.

Courses

Private Instruction
Adult Studies

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music from the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, and the Maimonides State Conservatory, located in Moscow, Russia. He also graduated with honors from the Komitas National Conservatory.

lkhoja-eynatyan@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Percussion

Mallet Instruments

Tympani

Name

Leon Khoja-Eynatyan

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

Khoja-Eynatyan, Leon.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Professional affiliations & activities:
Leon has also had a close relationship with the church over the years, as he served for many years as an organist and conductor at St. Mary's Church, and in 2000, founded the church's well-known Narek Bell Choir. He also served on the Diocese's Sacred Music Council, and for four years, led its Boyajian Choir Leadership Development Program for young choir members.

Served as the Chair of the Percussion Department at the Levine School of Music, was a member of ko’mm percussion and “Sacumba” World Percussion quartet.

Founding member of YERPER (Yerevan Percussion Ensemble).

Played with the Pekarsky Percussion Ensemble and Moscow Contemporary Ensemble.

Performed in the U.S., France, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Swiss, Greece, Poland, and other European countries, as well as in the NIS countries.

Since he moved to the United States, he has appeared with several orchestras and music groups as well as being a soloist at various venues including the Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, White House, Smithsonian Institution, Strathmore Hall and Wolf Trap.

Program Area

Private Instruction

Weight

Deborah Knowles

ntakagi — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 03:36:54 +0000

Deborah Knowles ntakagi Sun, 10/08/2023 - 22:36

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Awards and achievements:
Ms. Knowles' achievements stem far and wide as she has had the honor to hold some very important positions and a vast amount of exposure to different areas of music. Deborah was the principal percussionist for the Lake Forest Symphony, Light Opera Works.

She has also participated in performances with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Northwest Indiana Symphony, Moscow Ballet Orchestra, and Symphony of the Shores.

Academic Title

Percussion Faculty (Jazz)

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Courses

Private Instruction
Jazz Studies
Adult Studies

Department Head

Off

Education

MM and BME Northwestern University

dknowles@musicinst.org

Instrument(s)

Name

Deborah Knowles

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

DebbieKatzKnowles.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Deborah also has several professional affiliations, as she has performed with the Chicago Ballet, Chicago Theater, Goodman Theater, Holiday Star Theater, and Shubert Theater.

She has also had the amazing opportunity to work and study with other artists such as: Tony Bennett, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liberace, Henry Mancini, and Harry Connick, Jr. Furthermore,

Ms. Knowles is also a private teacher at Lake Forest Symphony Music School, and Lake Forest College.

Program Area

Private Instruction

Jazz Studies

Adult Studies

Weight

Kristen Regester

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:12:22 +0000

Kristen Regester ntakagi Sun, 10/01/2023 - 22:12

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Significant teachers and mentors:
Michael Udow, Julie Spencer, Salvatore Rabbio, Gerald Cleaver, Jane Sullivan, Mary Westmaas, Greg Secor

Awards and achievements:
Created curricula at Sherwood/Columbia for ages 2-8 including: BE the Music! Percussion 4 Kids, Exploring Musical Instruments, Sing With Me, Voice for the Young Performer, and Bumblebeats

Certified Music Together Teacher since June of 2000

William D. Revelli Alumni Band Association Recipient, November 1997

Academic Title

Dalcroze Eurhythmics Faculty

Anything else we should know?

Favorite quote:
"Pay attention to the moment, it will be the past soon," song lyrics by the band, The Mathematicians

Favorite practice tip:
Quality, not quantity! "A note is never wrong, it's creative." Julie Spencer

Favorite composer or piece to play:
Frédéric Chopin "Comptine d'un autre été l'aprés-midi" by Yann Tiersen & "The Anvil Chorus" by David Lang

Favorite musical moment:
I was playing the famous gong part in Carmina Burana: O Fortuna in a high school orchestra pit, and unfortunately lost the mallet head, it went rolling away from the percussion section in between hits. So I fetched it by the time I had to play the gong again and literally bowled my way into it, for lack of a mallet base. I was proud to have recovered from such an awkward coincidence in as graceful manner as I could manage within that moment!

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

In my teaching, I apply the concepts of Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a unique kinesthetic approach to music education. I'm especially passionate about teaching people who are neurodivergent and I find music is the bridge connecting me to them. To find joy in life through music is my goal with all of my students!

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

Dalcroze Eurhythmics Certificate, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Music, Instrumental Music Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

kregister@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sun, 09/01/2019 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Kristen Regester

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

Kristen Regesterpic2024jpg.jpg

Photo Credit

Nine9 The UnAgency

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Dalcroze Eurhythmics for Incoming Freshmen 8/9/2019 The Chicago High School for the Arts, Chicago, IL
Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Orthodox Music Master Class 6/20-21/19
Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist, Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago, IL
Dalcroze Eurhythmics for Doctors in Residency Program 1/9/15
St Mary Elizabeth Medical Center, Chicago, IL & 12/19/14
Dalcroze Eurhythmics for Piano Pedagogy Majors 11/11/13
Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Ohio Music Teachers Association 9/27/13
State Conference, Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, OH
Percussion Professional Development Workshop 12/2/09
Stanford Lively Arts, Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA In conjunction with SO Percussion

Program Area

Private Instruction

Group Classes

Musicianship

Three Questions Answer

My very first memorable musical moment was the rhythm of the rocking chair when I was an infant as well as hearing The Price Is Right theme song. Carrying the largest bass drum for 5.5 miles in the Rose Bowl parade was high up there as well (Go BLUE!). And highest on the scale for me (pun intended) was having an out-of-body experience while practicing on my professor's marimba in college.

Playing percussion is a full body, mind and soul trio experience. It brings me in the now and fills my heart with joy. I find playing music is the best way to communicate and connect with others, as well as with myself.

Interests outside of music:
When I'm not teaching, you can find me on my bike, in the pool or relaxing with a book in my hands.

Weight

Willing to Teach at

Evanston

Darren Scorza

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 06:45:17 +0000

Darren Scorza ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 01:45

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Recent recordings
Michele Thomas - The Assumption
Metropolitan Jazz Octet -The Road To Your Place
Jeannie Tanner - Words & Music, Joyful Season

Academic Title

Percussion Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Formalized Drumset instruction is still relatively young in regards to pedagogy. My approach is to combine elements of academic methods from “classical” percussion study, tried and true drumset methods, and more modern resources such as play along tracks, “drum-removal” apps and YouTube to impart less codified techniques to growing drumset students.

Courses

Private Instruction
Drumset
Jazz Combo

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

BM in Performance, Eastern Illinois University

dscorza@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Wed, 09/27/2023 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Darren Scorza

Personal Website / Link

https://www.darrenscorza.com/

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

Darren Scorza drums.jpg .jpg

Program Area

Private Instruction

Jazz Studies

Three Questions

What do you love about playing your instrument?

Three Questions Answer

I'm performing and teaching music every day. I love the varied personal interactions I experience in these situations. Some days I'm dealing with theater and classical musicians. The next I'm playing original jazz music with friends. I may be teaching beginners on Wednesday and experienced Jazz majors on Thursdays.

Of course the music is of upmost in importance, but the interpersonal interaction is equally valued. I relish discussing music dreams, concepts, or just "hangin'" after a gig talking about whatever comes to mind.

Everyone involved in music has a story. I love that my musical career finds me experiencing all these fascinating stories.

Weight

Willing to Teach at

Evanston

Winnetka