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Guitar and Drums Department
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| Amber Dutton Hanlon, Guitar, Voice, Flute |
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| Amber Dutton Hanlon
Guitar, Voice, Flute
Amber Hanlon is both a musician and educator. As a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, she earned a BM in Music Performance and a MA in Teaching (music education concentration) at UNC-Chapel Hill, having studied classical flute, voice, and piano. She then taught middle school band, chorus and orchestra in Chapel Hill, earning her National Board Certification her final year.
As a musician, Amber currently performs as a singer/songwriter, as well as rock star! ;-) She has studied guitar and voice after graduating college and continues to learn as she goes. As a private lesson instructor, she is energetic and positive- giving honest accurate feedback while enjoying the discovery and development of each student’s musical talent. Combining her music education background with her performance experience, Amber is able to offer lessons that incorporate theory, performance skills, self expression, technique and a true passion for music. She looks forward to meeting you!
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| Jose Luis Martinez, Guitarist |
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| Jose Luis Martinez
Guitar -- Classical, Bossa Nova, Rock, Jazz, Bolero, Afro-Cuban, Latin Jazz
Jose Luis Martinez graduated as a professor and instrumentalist in classical guitar from the National School of Arts of Havana, Cuba. After graduation Jose Luis performed social services as a professor of guitar in Ciego de Avila and Matanza near Havana. Two years later, he started working on the electric guitar in various genres, including Rock, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Bolero, Son, Cha cha, Afro-Cuban, Fusion, Latin Jazz, Salsa...etc.
Mr. Martinez has also played as a soloist with bands like The Dan, Santiago Feliu, Estado de Animo, Geraldo Alfonso and Interactivo. He has also shared stages with Los Van Van, Carlos Varela, NG La Banda, Chicoy, Feliciano, Arango, Ronny Borreta, Roberto Carcasses, Descemer, Orlando Sanchez and Oliver. Jose Luis has performed internationally mainly in Spain, where he participated in several tours around various Spanish cities. Throughout all of these experiences, Jose Luis continued to study guitar.
Jose Luis enjoys teaching guitar to students ages 9 and up and is available in Washington, DC.
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| Spencer Leach, Guitar |
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| Spencer Leach
Guitar -- Classical, Jazz, Rock
Drums
Spencer graduated from Shenandoah University Conservatory with a B.S. in Arts and Management and Classical Guitar. He did most of his growing up in Fairfax County which offered him a great chance to discover his musical talents.
When he was 5 years old he used to play the Beatles' Abbey Road on repeat through is walkman. The tape eventually changed from Beatles to MC Hammer, and then Queen. Spencer's real discovery of music happened at the age of 10 when his neighbor, while living in New Zealand, offered him drum lessons.
Spencer has continued pursing his love of drums and rhythm, but at 14 made a leap to guitar. His first teacher, Glen McCarthy gave him great lessons that allowed him to pursue guitar further at Shenandoah University. At Shenandoah, Spencer studied classical and jazz guitar with Glenn Caluda, Michael DeLalla, and Rick Whitehead. Spencer was also the school newspaper's music columnist which allowed him to express his thoughts on varying styles of music such as, rock, hip/hop, jazz, metal, Tuvan throat singing, and other amazing sounds from the world.
After graduating, Spencer interned at Falling Mountain Music, and Cue Recording Studios.
Spencer believes in the importance of digging deep into the music. Whether it is listening or playing, he likes to break down the elements to better understand the big picture. He also believes it is essential for musicians to put their whole spirit into their playing because it truly makes a difference in the sound.
In his spare time, Spencer enjoys studying languages and is currently working on his (Mandarin) Chinese.
Spencer is available to teach guitar lessons in the Northern Virgina area.
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| Steve Pae, Guitar |
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| Steve Pae
Guitar -- Classical and Jazz
Steven Pae, born and raised in Maryland, began studying the guitar at the age of 14. Steven is a classical guitarist but also loves to play jazz and modern rock. His teachers include Jim Hontz for classical guitar and Keith Kramer for jazz guitar. Steven also has a fondness for audio recording, synthesis, and MIDI sequencing. He is a graduate of the Omega School of Recording Arts and currently works as a post-production audio engineer. He also attends George Mason University under the tutelage of Larry Snitzler. He firmly believes in providing a structured curriculum for his students, where he designs a plan to teach guitar students how to read music and how to practice effectively.
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| Gray Snead, guitar and strings |
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Gray Snead
Guitar and Strings
Classical guitar; Electric and Acoustic Guitar; String bass; Electric Bass;
Beginning to Intermediate Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello)
Gray Snead, originally from Richmond, VA, has been performing classical guitar, string bass, and electric bass in the D.C. Metropolitan area for over a decade. He has studied with virtuosic figures of classical guitar, including Larry Snitzler, a protégé of Andres Segovia, and John Patykula, who studied extensively under the renowned Mexican guitarist Jesús Silva. Gray studied string bass with Glenn Dewey, Principal Bassist with The President's Own Marine Band.
Mr. Snead was a featured guest artist with the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, the McLean Symphony, and the University of Mary Washington Orchestra performing Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez,and a former guest artist with the McLean Symphony performing Ponce's Concierto del Sur. He was also a guest performer with the Selvaggio String Quartet performing Boccherini's Quintet in D minor and Castlenuovo-Tedesco's Quintet in D.
As a member of the VCU Guitar Quartet, Gray premiered 'Hoot with the Owls' for guitar quartet and banjo by composer Frank Mullen Jr. at the Alexandria Guitar Festival. In addition, he has commissioned and premiered new works for the guitar from composer Glenn Smith; 'broken bridge and the dream' for guitar and string bass, and 'the hopper cult' a five part piece for guitar and speaker.
In 2004, Gray rode his bicycle from Seattle to D.C. as part of the American Lung Association's 'Big Ride Across America' fundraising journey. Later that year, he was a featured performer and clinician at the Potomac Guitar Festival held at George Mason University.
As a string and electric bassist, Gray has performed in many chamber groups, string orchestras, and musical theatre settings in the metropolitan area, and completed recordings as an electric guitarist and electric bassist in numerous rock/pop ensembles.
Mr. Snead formally taught guitar at Virginia Commonwealth University, and guitar and string bass at the University of Mary Washington; and have taught guitar, strings, and general music for Loudoun County Public Schools as a state certified music teacher.
Gray is passionate about sharing his love of music through exploring music theory and music history, and teaching guitar, bass guitar, and other string instruments for students of all ages. His main goal is to provide a fun learning environment for growth and exploration of music. He is available for lessons in Northern Virginia and looks forward to fun times learning and making music with students!
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