Bios
David Hall
Guitar, Piano, Voice
At a very tender age, David Hall recognized his passion and flair for music. He studied with several instructors throughout his life, however the one constant that always remained was his drive and compelling need to expand his musical technique, theory, repertoire and compositions. With countless hours and years of study behind him, it came as no shock to anyone that Hall chose to attend the University of North Texas in 1997. Choosing “Jazz Studies” as his major was also a given. By 2001, he had received his Bachelor's from UNT in Jazz Guitar Studies. So, what would he do next after graduation? Hall made the inevitable, yet risky move of catapulting his passion into his livelihood. He began offering private instruction to students at all ages and all levels in 2002. Presently, 8 years later, Hall Music Productions has grown to become a state of the art fully functioning music studio.....a success which Hall doesn't take lightly and is proud of. While both directing/teaching at Hall Music Productions , Hall has also been able to hone in on the performance and songwriting aspects of his band, Earthyvibes. He, along with his band have put out their third album this year, XY as well as continue to tour along the Southwest in order to provide some good old Texas entertainment to packed audiences. MUSIC is Halls life and he plans to pass that down to all who are willing to learn.
Listen:
Earthyvibes
David Hall
Guitar, Piano, Voice
At a very tender age, David Hall recognized his passion and flair for music. He studied with several instructors throughout his life, however the one constant that always remained was his drive and compelling need to expand his musical technique, theory, repertoire and compositions. With countless hours and years of study behind him, it came as no shock to anyone that Hall chose to attend the University of North Texas in 1997. Choosing “Jazz Studies” as his major was also a given. By 2001, he had received his Bachelor's from UNT in Jazz Guitar Studies. So, what would he do next after graduation? Hall made the inevitable, yet risky move of catapulting his passion into his livelihood. He began offering private instruction to students at all ages and all levels in 2002. Presently, 8 years later, Hall Music Productions has grown to become a state of the art fully functioning music studio.....a success which Hall doesn't take lightly and is proud of. While both directing/teaching at Hall Music Productions , Hall has also been able to hone in on the performance and songwriting aspects of his band, Earthyvibes. He, along with his band have put out their third album this year, XY as well as continue to tour along the Southwest in order to provide some good old Texas entertainment to packed audiences. MUSIC is Halls life and he plans to pass that down to all who are willing to learn.
Listen:
Earthyvibes
Andrew O'Hearn
Guitar, Piano, Voice
Andrew began his musical endeavors at just the age of three. Whether he was around a piano, guitar or just signing, he always found ways to play or make music. With such a strong desire to create art through music, O'Hearn continued his studies throughout his early years and went on to attend the University of North Texas after high school. While matriculating at UNT, he had the distinct pleasure of studying composition under Yu-Chung Tseng, Arnold Friedman, Paul Bonneau, Butch Rovan and Joseph Klein. He also studied voice under Richard Burke. In 2000, O'Hearn graduated from UNT with a Bachelors Degree in Music Composition as well as a minor in Music Theory with a concentration in Vocal Studies. Since that last day, he has been teaching numerous private lessons in voice, piano, guitar/bass, drums and composition. In addition to his private lessons. O'Hearn has a special knack for making lessons with each of his students unique, fun and educational all at once. Supplementary to his professional teaching, he also finds the time to participate in several creative projects such as freelance composing/arranging, freelance jingle writing, freelance studio musician and studio producer/engineer. Specific projects include: Shaolin Death Squad (theatrical hard rock-O'Hearn is front man), Titanium Rib Cage (electronic soundscapes) and Latitud (Rock en espanol). With such credits as working with Dan Spitz of legendary metal band Anthrax, it is certain that O'Hearn will be creating music for years to come and plans to pass his knowledge down to all of his students.
Listen:
Shaolin Death Squad
Justin Schenk
Guitar, Piano
Justin Schenk grew up in Southlake and graduated from Carroll High School. He started playing guitar at age 13, and started playing jazz at age 14. By 17, he was teaching beginner and intermediate guitar lessons. While occupying the guitar chair in Carroll High's top jazz band, he received from various jazz competitions awards that included: Outstanding Jazz Soloist, and Outstanding Musician 3 years in a row. During his Senior year, he was honored to receive the Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz. He then attended the University of North Texas where he played with several jazz combos and big bands as well as spending several years in the school's latin jazz ensemble studying the music of Puerto Rico and Cuba. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies with a minor in Music Theory in 2010, and is currently working as a freelance guitarist in the D/FW area. He has experience playing and teaching a multitude of different genres including: rock, country, blues, R&B, pop, various latin styles, and jazz.
Shea Henley
Drums, Piano, Guitar, Voice
Born and raised in Atlanta, Ga. Grew up listening to and playing with parents band. Mom singer, dad drummer/woodwinds. Sang in the prestigious Atlanta Boys Choir as a child. Picked up drums at age 12. Drum line in highschool. Studied with Billy Degnats (drum professor @ Georgia State Univ.) his junior and senior years. Accepted into UNT jazz program in 2004 where studied with Ed Soph and performed in various ensembles including the 3 O'Clock Lab Band. Graduated Magna Cum in August 2009. Plays regularly with Dirt & Earthy Vibes, the Brandon Bush Band, and his own project. Runs an online recording business www.sheahenley.com and has been featured on records by Dirt & Earthy Vibes, the Brandon Bush Band, Joel Cross, and more! Plays piano, drums, bass, guitar, and sings, in addition to writing music in many genres.Listen:
Shea Henley
David Kellogg
Guitar, Bass, Piano
David Kellogg received his Undergraduate Degree from the Berklee College of Music in 2005 and his Masters from UNT in 2010. Kellogg loves teaching students the power of Music. He tailors his lessons to each students needs . If you want to learn about theory, sight reading or improvisation he could talk to about it all day. If you want to learn to play your favorite tunes - "LETS JAM!!!!" states Kellogg. He teaches all styles, nothing is off limits. If it's music you want to learn he'd love to help you reach your goals. You can hear Kellogg play all over the southwest with the in demand band Icehouse.
Kristen Mata
Voice, Piano
Soprano Kristen Mata is recognized as a versatile performing artist with a voice capable of encompassing a vast range of repertoire. Her operatic roles have included Gretel in *Hänsel und Gretel*, Pamina in *Die Zauberflöte*, and Susanna in *Le nozze di Figaro*. Ms. Mata made her Dallas Opera debut as Bianca in Otello for their critically acclaimed grand opening of the new Winspear Opera House. She was a featured soloist at the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival in Italy. As a concert and oratorio soloist she has appeared with many groups in the Dallas/Fort Worth area including The Orchestra of New Spain, Texas Choral Artists, and Dallas Bach Society performing many works including the Vivaldi *Gloria*, Mozart’s *Missa Solemnis*, and Handel’s *Messiah*.
Kaela Bratcher
Voice, Piano, Guitar
Kaela Bratcher is a vocalist, pianist, and songwriter, originally from Sarasota, FL. She is a Jazz Studies major with a minor in Music Theory, currently completing her undergraduate degree at University of North Texas. Kaela can often be seen gigging in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex with one of the many bands she is a part of. She is a member of the UNT Jazz Singers and has performed with the UNT Two O'Clock Lab Band, Three O'Clock Lab Band, and Four O'Clock Lab Band. She sings and writes in a wide variety of musical styles ranging from jazz to rock to folk to R&B. She was recently awarded a Downbeat Award for Solo Jazz Voice, received an Honorable Mention from the NFAA, and was a finalist for the Grammy Jazz Choir 2008. She is passionate about music and plans to pursue a career in performance and composition. You can hear her original music with the Cherry Hill Project.
Listen:
Cherry Hill Project
Matt Thompson
Drums, Piano, Guitar
Matt Thompson originally from New Jersey, relocated to Texas to attend UNT and since then has traveled the world playing on some of the worlds biggest rock stages and been recognized by the Grammy association twice. Of the 150 bands that Matt has played with some of the noteworthy are King Diamond, 2'oclock lab band, Bugs Henderson, Pops Carter, Andy Timmons and of course Dallas's best prog rock band SDS.
Matt Thompson Drums
Jessie Frye
Voice, Piano, Guitar
Jessie Frye is well known in the DFW area for her presence in the music scene. She began taking voice at the tender age of 8, and soon discovered a connection with the piano at age 11. Songwriting became a passion of hers in her teenage years. She was home schooled and spent her youth writing songs and taking classical instruction. She began teaching music when she was 18, and pursued her musical passion by forming the Jessie Frye Band. She has showcased at the South By Southwest music festival for several years, and has been nominated for several local music awards. Jessie has worked with music producers such as John Congleton (St, Vincent, Polyphonic Spree) and Joe McGrath (Ryan Adams, BB King), and opened for artists such as at Pat Benatar and Eric Hutchinson. Jessie enjoys bringing music into other people's lives by teaching people of all ages and levels. She hopes to inspire others to create and find their musical self.Watch:
Jessie's Music Video
Listen:
Jessie Frye Website
Mikaela Kahn
Voice, Piano, Guitar
Mikaela is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and arranger originally from Seattle, Washington. She currently studies Vocal Jazz Performance at the University of North Texas with a minor in Music Theory, and is a member of the school’s premier vocal jazz ensemble—the UNT Jazz Singers. Mikaela has performed with the UNT Zebras, Naked Lunch (DFW’s top Steely Dan cover band), and other various bands around the DFW area. She has also had the opportunity to perform with pop artist Ben Folds and R&B singer Trey Songz. Mikaela is well versed in all genres of music—from classical to broadway, pop, rock, jazz, and country, and has sung on over 25 studio albums. She has won awards for both classical and jazz voice including: Honorable Mention from the NFAA, twice finalist for the Grammy Jazz Choir, all Northwest Jazz Choir, and All-State Classical Voice. When teaching, Mikaela draws from her diverse musical experiences and loves helping her students find confidence in their unique voices.Visit Mikaela’s website to find out more.
www.mikaelakahn.com
Mikaela & Trey Songz
Brandon Arthur
Strings, Piano, Guitar
Brandon Arthur plays classical guitar, electric guitar,bass,violin,drums,piano and pedal steel. He is currently pursuing a degree in music at the University of North Texas; while also performing and writing music for various groups and events around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Having been born in Denton TX, to The son of a prominant country guitar/pedal steel player and a dancer from the North Texas area; music has always played a big role in his life."I picked up my first guitar at 3 and began studying classical by age 10 when I started the violin" He has studied with many different teachers such as Robert Arthur, Polly Maynard, Ron Chessie, Tim Courtney, Paul Metger, Paul Leblanc, Tom Johnson, Jason Lim, Barbara Stafford as well other various mentors in Denton Texas.
Bernard Wright
Keyboards, Piano
Bernard Wright is an American funk and jazz keyboardist who began his career as a session musician and later released several solo albums in the 1980s. Toured with Lenny White when he was 13, and he played with Tom Browne at age 16. GRP Records signed him in 1981 and released his debut LP, 'Nard, tracks from which have been prominently sampled by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Skee-Lo,and LL Cool J among countless others. He followed with Funky Beat on Arista and Mr. Wright on EMI. The latter of these albums included his biggest R&B hit, "Who Do You Love" for which a video was made. Wright has also appeared on recordings by musicians such as Cameo, Bobby Brown, Pieces of a Dream, Charles Earland, Roberta Flack, Roy Hargrove, Stanley Jordan, Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller and Miles Davis.
