Visiting Artist Program
Covid-19 Update
The Newtown Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts Department has suspended all events until further notice in order to protect
our artists, performers, teachers and audience from Coronavirus. We will resume live performances and events when the situation has improved and we have received the blessing of our medical experts to move forward. Our program will resume once we have been given approval through Connecticut regulations, CT State Department of Education and Newtown health officials.
Program Description
This after- school private lesson program provides students an opportunity to pursue their musical passion, improve technical skills unique to their instrument or voice, develop better performance technique and increase confidence.
The program has been in existence for more than 30 years with a mission of helping students achieve their musical best.
The teachers are active professional musicians with university degrees in music. They are able to meet the individual needs of
your child. The teachers utilize literature specific to each child’s instrument or voice and can help them prepare for
school ensemble auditions, youth ensemble auditions, regional and state festival auditions and college auditions.
Lessons are held after school at Reed Intermediate School, Newtown Middle School and Newtown High School.
The price of lessons for the 2020-21 school-year will be $35.00 per half-hour or $70.00 per hour.
Lessons must be paid for by check on a semester basis. Other payment arrangements should be discussed with individual instructors.
The teacher will set schedules and billing procedures at the beginning of the semester.
Lessons are considered an appointment with a professional. This appointment should not be broken unless it is absolutely
impossible to avoid a conflict. Lack of practice is not a reason to cancel a lesson. When a conflict occurs, the teacher should be notified directly (not through the school) at least 24 hours in advance.
Unattended lessons that are not made up by the end of the semester must be paid for.
Set aside at least a half-hour each day to practice. Your instrument and voice serve as a means of expressing yourself musically.
Success breeds success - the better you play and sing, the more you will want to practice!
Visiting Artist Instructors:
Diana Brandt – Oboe 860-919-3815 [email protected]
Diana Brandt is an early childhood and elementary general/vocal music specialist with a concentration in oboe pedagogy. Mrs. Brandt received her BA in Music and BS in Education from the University of Connecticut. While she was in school she began giving oboe lessons in the Tolland and Vernon school districts. While at UCONN she also was part of recordings for the University Wind Ensemble as well as a featured soloist on the Treblemakers CD Our Favorite Folk Songs. She has also been a soloist and guest performer at South Church in Hartford CT. Mrs. Brandt received her Masters in Music Education with a concentration in Kodály pedagogy from the HARTT School of Music. After leaving the public schools, in order to raise her children, she has become an early childhood music educator at the HARTT School of Music as part of the First Steps in Music program. Within the program, Kodály inspired methods and materials are used to teach children from birth to 5 years of age. She continues to be a guest lecturer and consult for different Universities throughout Connecticut, as well as an active clinician giving presentations at local, state and regional conferences. Along with guest lecturing and early childhood classes Mrs. Brandt also continues to teach private oboe instruction and reed making to students in the Newtown, Torrington and Waterbury areas.
Thomas Freas – Trumpet 203-733-9733 (voicemail or text) www.Fanfareconsort.com
Thom Freas, founder, Artistic Director and performer on clarino (valveless baroque trumpet) of the Internationally acclaimed period instrument ensemble Fanfare Consort. As a soloist Thom has perfomed with many prominent ensembles/orchestras/festivals throughout the United States and Europe. Mr. Freas has participated in numerous festivals, including the Connecticut Early Music Festival with Igor Kipnis. There, he performed Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto N°2 on clarino and the famous Haydn Trumpet Concerto
on “keyed” (valveless) trumpet. Thom is the first American to record Brandenburg Concerto N°2. You can hear that recording with Anthony Newman on Sony Classical and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets on the Newport Classics label. He can also be heard on Champignon International, Classic Masters, Helicon Records, Koch, Music Masters, Telarc and Vox. Armando Ghitalla, Principal Trumpet Boston Symphony Orchestra; William Vacchiano, Principal Trumpet New York Philharmonic; and Roger Voisin, Principal Trumpet Boston Symphony Orchestra are among those with whom Thom studied. He has attended State University of New York at Purchase for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Manhattan School of Music for a Master of Music degree and Boston University for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree were he has won full performance scholarships. As a highly sought after teacher, Thom has been on the faculties of and presented master classes at several colleges, conservatories and universities. His students consistently win positions to participate in All-State, All-New England and All-Eastern festivals, as well as national summer music camps/festivals (Litchfield Jazz Fest.). They also continue to occupy principal chairs in many youth orchestras in Connecticut, New York and New England. Many have been awarded scholarships to continue their education at the most prestigious music conservatories, colleges and universities. They
have also become principal/section trumpet in many national/international orchestras, such as Boston Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony and Beijing Symphony Orchestra among others.
Jim Marbury – Trombone and Low Brass 203-378-4389 [email protected]
Mr. Marbury received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Bridgeport and a Master of Music from SUNY-Stony Brook.
He is a member of the Ridgefield Symphony and Norwalk Symphony. Jim also performs regularly with the Wallingford Symphony,
Waterbury Symphony and New Britain Symphony. He is currently a member of the Shoreline Jazz Collective in Guilford and the Berkshire Big Band in Danbury. Jim performs in many pit orchestras, including the Oakdale and Palace Theaters in Connecticut and others in Westchester and New York City. Jim has been teaching privately in Newtown’s Visiting Artist Program and surrounding towns since 1985.
Jill Pellett-Levine – Viola 203-387-1133 [email protected]
Ms. Pellett-Levine received her BFA from SUNY Purchase, MM from the Yale University School of Music and her AD from Yale University School of Music. She performs with many orchestras in the state including New Haven Symphony, Bridgeport Symphony, Waterbury Symphony, Eastern Connecticut Symphony and Wallingford Symphony. Jill has performed with notables such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Regis Philbin, Bernadette Peters, Johnny Mathis, Anne Murray and The Irish Tenors. She has appeared on recordings such as Walton Symphony No. 1 and the Walton Violin Concerto (as recorded by the New Haven Symphony) and with the June in Buffalo Festival Orchestra.
Laura Flachbart – Cello 203-947-6874 [email protected]
Mrs. Flachbart began her cello studies at the age of 8. Her teachers include renowned cello pedagogue Irene Sharp and Chris Finckel of the Manhattan String Quartet. Laura is principal cellist of the Danbury Symphony Orchestra and also of the Ives Festival Orcehstra. An active chamber musician, she performs regularly with Trio Dolce, the Ives String Quartet and the Sherwood Chamber Players. Laura has performed in master classes for pianist Karl Ulrich Schnabel, the Manhattan String Quartet and members of Promotheus. While studying chamber music at Western Connecticut State University, she was a recipient of the 2009 James Furman Memorial Chamber Music Award.
Jill Marak – Bass Violin 203-270-6150 X 1001 [email protected]
Jill Marak received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia and a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Elmira College. She is currently working towards a Master degree in Instructional Design and Technology at Post University. Mrs. Marak’s major instrument is the string bass but she also plays flute, violin, viola and cello. Before teaching in the Newtown Public Schools, she taught in Ithaca, NY for 12 years and played in the Cornell Symphony Orchestra. She lives in Naugatuck, CT with her husband Michael.
Robert Nolte – Percussion 203-952-8954 [email protected]
Attended Western CT State University and Manhattan School of Music and earned degrees in Music Performance and Music
Education. Mr. Nolte is a percussionist and performs in the tri-state area doing symphonic, show and club work. Mr. Nolte was the Asst. Director for the NY production of “Mack the Knife”. He has performed with Pirates of the Mississippi, Dave and Chris Brubeck, Midnight Rose, Yale Symphony, 92nd Street Y Orchestra, Manhattan Opera Association, Waterbury and New Haven Symphonies, the Waterbury Chorale and CT Master Chorale.
Covid-19 Update
The Newtown Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts Department has suspended all events until further notice in order to protect
our artists, performers, teachers and audience from Coronavirus. We will resume live performances and events when the situation has improved and we have received the blessing of our medical experts to move forward. Our program will resume once we have been given approval through Connecticut regulations, CT State Department of Education and Newtown health officials.
Program Description
This after- school private lesson program provides students an opportunity to pursue their musical passion, improve technical skills unique to their instrument or voice, develop better performance technique and increase confidence.
The program has been in existence for more than 30 years with a mission of helping students achieve their musical best.
The teachers are active professional musicians with university degrees in music. They are able to meet the individual needs of
your child. The teachers utilize literature specific to each child’s instrument or voice and can help them prepare for
school ensemble auditions, youth ensemble auditions, regional and state festival auditions and college auditions.
Lessons are held after school at Reed Intermediate School, Newtown Middle School and Newtown High School.
The price of lessons for the 2020-21 school-year will be $35.00 per half-hour or $70.00 per hour.
Lessons must be paid for by check on a semester basis. Other payment arrangements should be discussed with individual instructors.
The teacher will set schedules and billing procedures at the beginning of the semester.
Lessons are considered an appointment with a professional. This appointment should not be broken unless it is absolutely
impossible to avoid a conflict. Lack of practice is not a reason to cancel a lesson. When a conflict occurs, the teacher should be notified directly (not through the school) at least 24 hours in advance.
Unattended lessons that are not made up by the end of the semester must be paid for.
Set aside at least a half-hour each day to practice. Your instrument and voice serve as a means of expressing yourself musically.
Success breeds success - the better you play and sing, the more you will want to practice!
Visiting Artist Instructors:
Diana Brandt – Oboe 860-919-3815 [email protected]
Diana Brandt is an early childhood and elementary general/vocal music specialist with a concentration in oboe pedagogy. Mrs. Brandt received her BA in Music and BS in Education from the University of Connecticut. While she was in school she began giving oboe lessons in the Tolland and Vernon school districts. While at UCONN she also was part of recordings for the University Wind Ensemble as well as a featured soloist on the Treblemakers CD Our Favorite Folk Songs. She has also been a soloist and guest performer at South Church in Hartford CT. Mrs. Brandt received her Masters in Music Education with a concentration in Kodály pedagogy from the HARTT School of Music. After leaving the public schools, in order to raise her children, she has become an early childhood music educator at the HARTT School of Music as part of the First Steps in Music program. Within the program, Kodály inspired methods and materials are used to teach children from birth to 5 years of age. She continues to be a guest lecturer and consult for different Universities throughout Connecticut, as well as an active clinician giving presentations at local, state and regional conferences. Along with guest lecturing and early childhood classes Mrs. Brandt also continues to teach private oboe instruction and reed making to students in the Newtown, Torrington and Waterbury areas.
Thomas Freas – Trumpet 203-733-9733 (voicemail or text) www.Fanfareconsort.com
Thom Freas, founder, Artistic Director and performer on clarino (valveless baroque trumpet) of the Internationally acclaimed period instrument ensemble Fanfare Consort. As a soloist Thom has perfomed with many prominent ensembles/orchestras/festivals throughout the United States and Europe. Mr. Freas has participated in numerous festivals, including the Connecticut Early Music Festival with Igor Kipnis. There, he performed Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto N°2 on clarino and the famous Haydn Trumpet Concerto
on “keyed” (valveless) trumpet. Thom is the first American to record Brandenburg Concerto N°2. You can hear that recording with Anthony Newman on Sony Classical and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets on the Newport Classics label. He can also be heard on Champignon International, Classic Masters, Helicon Records, Koch, Music Masters, Telarc and Vox. Armando Ghitalla, Principal Trumpet Boston Symphony Orchestra; William Vacchiano, Principal Trumpet New York Philharmonic; and Roger Voisin, Principal Trumpet Boston Symphony Orchestra are among those with whom Thom studied. He has attended State University of New York at Purchase for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Manhattan School of Music for a Master of Music degree and Boston University for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree were he has won full performance scholarships. As a highly sought after teacher, Thom has been on the faculties of and presented master classes at several colleges, conservatories and universities. His students consistently win positions to participate in All-State, All-New England and All-Eastern festivals, as well as national summer music camps/festivals (Litchfield Jazz Fest.). They also continue to occupy principal chairs in many youth orchestras in Connecticut, New York and New England. Many have been awarded scholarships to continue their education at the most prestigious music conservatories, colleges and universities. They
have also become principal/section trumpet in many national/international orchestras, such as Boston Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony and Beijing Symphony Orchestra among others.
Jim Marbury – Trombone and Low Brass 203-378-4389 [email protected]
Mr. Marbury received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Bridgeport and a Master of Music from SUNY-Stony Brook.
He is a member of the Ridgefield Symphony and Norwalk Symphony. Jim also performs regularly with the Wallingford Symphony,
Waterbury Symphony and New Britain Symphony. He is currently a member of the Shoreline Jazz Collective in Guilford and the Berkshire Big Band in Danbury. Jim performs in many pit orchestras, including the Oakdale and Palace Theaters in Connecticut and others in Westchester and New York City. Jim has been teaching privately in Newtown’s Visiting Artist Program and surrounding towns since 1985.
Jill Pellett-Levine – Viola 203-387-1133 [email protected]
Ms. Pellett-Levine received her BFA from SUNY Purchase, MM from the Yale University School of Music and her AD from Yale University School of Music. She performs with many orchestras in the state including New Haven Symphony, Bridgeport Symphony, Waterbury Symphony, Eastern Connecticut Symphony and Wallingford Symphony. Jill has performed with notables such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Regis Philbin, Bernadette Peters, Johnny Mathis, Anne Murray and The Irish Tenors. She has appeared on recordings such as Walton Symphony No. 1 and the Walton Violin Concerto (as recorded by the New Haven Symphony) and with the June in Buffalo Festival Orchestra.
Laura Flachbart – Cello 203-947-6874 [email protected]
Mrs. Flachbart began her cello studies at the age of 8. Her teachers include renowned cello pedagogue Irene Sharp and Chris Finckel of the Manhattan String Quartet. Laura is principal cellist of the Danbury Symphony Orchestra and also of the Ives Festival Orcehstra. An active chamber musician, she performs regularly with Trio Dolce, the Ives String Quartet and the Sherwood Chamber Players. Laura has performed in master classes for pianist Karl Ulrich Schnabel, the Manhattan String Quartet and members of Promotheus. While studying chamber music at Western Connecticut State University, she was a recipient of the 2009 James Furman Memorial Chamber Music Award.
Jill Marak – Bass Violin 203-270-6150 X 1001 [email protected]
Jill Marak received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia and a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Elmira College. She is currently working towards a Master degree in Instructional Design and Technology at Post University. Mrs. Marak’s major instrument is the string bass but she also plays flute, violin, viola and cello. Before teaching in the Newtown Public Schools, she taught in Ithaca, NY for 12 years and played in the Cornell Symphony Orchestra. She lives in Naugatuck, CT with her husband Michael.
Robert Nolte – Percussion 203-952-8954 [email protected]
Attended Western CT State University and Manhattan School of Music and earned degrees in Music Performance and Music
Education. Mr. Nolte is a percussionist and performs in the tri-state area doing symphonic, show and club work. Mr. Nolte was the Asst. Director for the NY production of “Mack the Knife”. He has performed with Pirates of the Mississippi, Dave and Chris Brubeck, Midnight Rose, Yale Symphony, 92nd Street Y Orchestra, Manhattan Opera Association, Waterbury and New Haven Symphonies, the Waterbury Chorale and CT Master Chorale.