Welcome to FCC Music

The FCC Music Program is led by expert musicians with lessons, classes, ensembles, and more open to students of all ages and all levels, from beginner to advanced, in a variety of formats. Annual Shields Music Scholarships are provided by the George L. Shields Scholarship Fund and the FCC Foundation.
                   

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Music Lessons | New! Registration Process

Introducing the new FCC Music Interest Form! Designed to simplify the registration process, this new form is where you let us know your choice of instrument, schedule, instructor (if applicable) and frequency (see options & pricing below). After completing and submitting the form, Dr. Mike Gersten, FCC Music Program Manager, will send you an email notification with steps to provide payment and complete your registration. Click below to open our new FCC Music Interest Form to get started!

Lesson Pricing

Individual Lessons	Monthly Lessons (4 Sessions)	Three-Month Lessons* (12 Sessions)
30-Minutes	$160	$440
45-Minutes	$240	$680
60-Minutes	$320	$860

*Spring three-month sessions run February, March, and April; fall three-month sessions run September, October, and November. 

Important Notes

• To begin lessons in the same month, payment must be provided by the 7th day of the month. Be sure to allow sufficient time to complete this form, receive the registration link and submit payment to begin lessons in the same month.
• When planning to register, please refer to the FCC College calendar to account for days and times the College may be closed, including holidays, seasonal breaks, and inclement weather.
• This interest form is the first step for registration. After submitting this form, keep an eye out for an email within two business days containing the link you will use to submit payment and complete your registration.

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You're Invited! Music Events & Concerts

Join us in the Performing Arts Center at FCC for a wide range of upcoming concerts and performances designed to inspire and delight audiences of all ages. Tickets are free of charge (nominal donation are suggested but not required). Register online to save your seats!
 
  

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Music Ensembles & Classes

Music Ensembles & Workshops, led by well-known and experienced musicians, open for registration in early spring and early fall. Participation cost is $154 for 15 weeks. Qualifications vary, but students typically need to have experience on their instrument and the ability to read music. Contact the ensemble director or Dr. Mike Gersten, FCC Music Program Manager, to make sure it's the right fit for you.

Chamber Ensemble
Jason Diggs • jadiggs@frederick.edu
Tuesday • January 28 - May 13 • 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.


Choral Ensemble
Lynn Staininger • lstaininger@frederick.edu
Tuesday • January 28 - May 13 • 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.


Class Piano I
Learn basic keyboarding, music fundamentals, and more.
Mondays • January 27 - May 12 • 6:00 to 6:50 p.m.


Flute Ensemble
Dr. Jessica Banks • jebanks@frederick.edu
Monday • January 27 - May 12 • 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

  
Handbell Ensemble
Barbara Scheffter • bscheffter@frederick.edu
Wednesday • January 29 - May 14 • 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.


Jazz Big Band Ensemble
Howard Burns • hburns@frederick.edu 
Wednesday • January 29 - May 14 • 7:45 to 10:10 p.m.


Jazz Workshop: Advanced
Jordan Clawson • jclawson@frederick.edu
Monday • January 27 - May 12 • 5:00 to 7:15 p.m.


Jazz Workshop: Introduction
Anita Thomas • athomas@frederick.edu
Monday • January 27 - May 12 • 7:30 to 9:45 p.m.


Percussion Ensemble
Greg Herron • gherron@frederick.edu
Wednesday • January 29 - May 14 • 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

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String Ensemble
Lynn Fleming • vlfleming@frederick.edu
Thursday • January 30 - May 15 • 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.


Wind Ensemble
Kim Hirschmann • khirschmann@frederick.edu
Wednesday • January 29 - May 14 • 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

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FCC Music Lessons Policies & Procedures

Cancellations & Make Up Lessons

If a student needs to cancel a lesson (for any reason), students/guardians must communicate with the instructor as soon as possible.  Although the instructor is under no obligation to make up the lesson, students/guardians are welcome to discuss the possibility of a make-up lesson with them.  If the instructor cancels the session, the lesson will be rescheduled. 

Lateness
As most Instructors teach back-to-back lessons, it is important that students arrive at least 10 minutes early so lessons can start on time.  If a student is late, it will be up to the instructor’s discretion as to whether they extend the lesson.

Refund Policy
For refund information, please review our Refund Policy for complete details.

Inclement Weather & Campus Closures
When FCC classes are cancelled due to inclement weather, instructors will make every effort to make up the lesson, however rescheduling the lesson is not guaranteed. Classes scheduled to start before an inclement weather delay will not meet. Please see the FCC Inclement Weather Policy for additional details. FCC does not follow the Frederick County Public Schools closing and delay policy.)  Stay informed about college closings and delays as well as emergency information throughout the year. Sign up for FCC Alert to receive instant college notices via text, email and/or phone. Registration is quick, simple and free!

FCC Music Instructors
Please make note of the following information.

1. All of our FCC Music Instructors are performing artists and may need to take time off for upcoming performances, recitals, or concerts. If this situation occurs, instructors will reschedule or provide a substitute teacher, always with sufficient notice. 
2. Any complaints, or scheduling conflicts, should be addressed with the instructor first. 
3. If an instructor is no longer able to teach, the remaining lessons will be taught by an alternative instructor. 
4. Students and/or guardians must register for lessons through Frederick Community College and may not directly exchange payment with an instructor. 

Important Note
These policies and procedures are subject to change without notice.

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FCC Music Instructors

CELLO
 

Adam Gonzalez
agonzalez@frederick.edu • (301) 219-4826
Cellist Adam Gonzalez, a member of the Trio Giocoso, has performed extensively in Maryland and Virginia and recorded commercially for the History Channel and National Geographic. A graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois, Gonzalez earned a Master of Arts in cello performance from Boston University. Gonzalez has taught at Georgetown University and Montgomery College and was Director of Instrumental Music at the Waldorf School in Baltimore. He teaches cello and Music Fundamentals at FCC. He also teaches Music History at Carroll Community College.

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CLARINET

Meredith Gersten
megersten@frederick.edu • www.mikegersten.com • www.ClarinetHQ.com
B.M.E. in Music Education, University of Kansas; M.M. in Clarinet Performance, University of Northern Colorado
Meredith is the managing director of Clarinet HQ, an online resource for young clarinetists and their band directors. Driving much of this work is her passion for engaging players of all ages and helping them establish proper clarinet techniques for lifelong success. She has taught in the public schools, serves on the International Clarinet Association's Youth Committee, and creates educational content for arts nonprofits. As a clarinetist, she has performed throughout the United States and Europe.

Michael Gersten
mgersten@frederick.edu
B.M.E. in Music Education and M.M. in Clarinet Performance, University of Kansas; D.A. in Clarinet and Music History, University of Northern Colorado
As an educator, Dr. Mike Gersten believes in providing students with the tools and support they need to achieve their goals. As a performer and creator, he is passionate about using music to explore society and culture. His film and live soundtrack,Hate, Hope, and Healing: Exploring the Holocaust Through Music, has received two separate grants from the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission. As part of the ensemble Driftwood Duo, he has written and commissioned new works for two clarinets that blend elements of klezmer music with the music of other cultures. They have performed his own music and the music of others across the U.S. and Europe, including at the International Clarinet Association’s annual conference and the Library of Birmingham (UK). Dr. Gersten is the Music Program Manager at FCC and previously served as Assistant Professor of Woodwinds at South Texas College and Co-Principal Clarinet of the Valley Symphony Orchestra.

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FLUTE
 

Jessica Banks
jebanks@frederick.edu • (330) 559-1335
DM and MM in Flute Performance, Indiana University; BME and BM-Performance, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory
Originally, from Youngstown, Ohio, Dr. Jessica Banks currently serves as flute choir director at Frederick Community College. Prior to moving to Maryland, she served as Assistant Professor of Flute at Mississippi State University and Principal flutist of the Starkville Symphony Orchestra.  An active solo, chamber and orchestral musician, Dr. Banks is a founding member of the Magnolia Trio (fl/ob/pn) and has performed with orchestras throughout the US including: Starkville Symphony (MS), Alabama Symphony (AL), Delta Symphony (MS), North Mississippi Symphony (MS), Lexington Philharmonic (KY), Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (IN), Owensboro Symphony (KY), and Evansville Philharmonic (IN). Jessica also serves as an active member in the Flute Society of Washington, Mid South Flute Society, Flute New Music Consortium, and the National Flute Association. Dedicated to improving access to advanced instruction for all flutists, Dr. Banks provides free resources on social media for young flutists, band directors, and flute teachers. Dr. Banks studied at Indiana University (DM & MM- Flute performance with minors in Music Theory and Baroque flute) with Thomas Robertello and Baldwin Wallace Conservatory (BM & BME) with George Pope. Jessicaleebanks.com.

Michelle Rippey
mrippey@frederick.edu • (240) 675-0866
 Master of Education -MEd,George Mason University;Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA Flute Performance,The University of Kansas;High School Diploma Flute Performance, University of North Carolina School of the Arts 
A lifelong musician, Michelle Rippey and her family was always active with the Classical Music Association in their small hometown in southern Virginia, routinely hosting music events in their home and in the community. This provided Ms. Rippey with exposure to a rich and varied classical music scene as well as inspiration from world class musicians. Ms. Rippey studied violin, piano, and voice as a child, then dedicated herself to pursuing the flute beginning at age ten. Ms. Rippey studied flute through high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts and during her summers at the Brevard Music Center. Ms. Rippey holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Flute Performance and a Master’s Degree in Education. Ms. Rippey performs regularly with the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra, the Pro Art Chamber Orchestra (PACO) of Greater Washington D.C., and the Second Winds woodwind quintet. She is an alternate with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and the Frederick Symphony Orchestra, and also performs regularly as a freelance musician. Ms. Rippey has a passion for teaching flute and piccolo. She enjoys assisting youth programs as an adjudicator for youth contests, as a supporting mentor for the Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra, and by providing sectional coaching for young flutists in middle and high schools throughout the Potomac region.

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GUITAR
 

Chaz Aguado
chazaguadoguitar.com • caguado@frederick.edu • (240) 344-5662
Doctor of Musical Arts, Shenandoah Conservatory; Master’s Degree, University of Denver; Bachelor’s Degree, Towson University
Chaz Aguado is the classical guitar instructor at Frederick Community College and is also an adjunct professor at Carroll Community College and Towson University. Dr. Aguado has been a private instructor for over ten years and is an active musician and teacher in the greater Washington DC/Baltimore area. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts from Shenandoah Conservatory and holds a master’s degree from University of Denver and a bachelor’s degree from Towson University. He also teaches other styles of guitar such as rock, country, blues, and metal at The Catoctin School of Music in Leesburg, Virginia. Some of the notable pedagogues he has studied classical guitar with are Mathew Palmer, Troy King, Laura Husbands, Jonathan Leatherwood, Julian Gray, and Ricardo Iznaola. Dr. Aguado performs regularly at many different venues. Most often, you can find him performing classical guitar in recital and concert halls. Not only does he perform as a soloist but also as a chamber artist with vocalists, cellists, violinists, and flutists. Dr. Aguado currently offers private guitar lessons in-person or virtually. Chaz Aguado performs Soleá by Regino Sainz de la Maza (YouTube)

David Lester
davidlestermusic@gmail.com
Bachelor’s Degree, Hood College; Manhattan School of Music studies
David Lester is a double bassist and electric bassist from Frederick, MD. A versatile musician, David is equally at home playing classical, jazz, funk, or rock. He has been freelancing in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area since 2006. Frequent collaborators include local legends Howard Burns, Anita Thomas, Jordan Clawson, and acclaimed jazz vocalist Kerensa Gray. David has studied at Hood College and Manhattan School of Music. His double bass teachers include Lynn Fleming, Jeff Weisner of the National Symphony Orchestra, Jeremy McCoy of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Orin O’Brien of the New York Philharmonic. A passionate educator, David maintains a busy teaching schedule at Jammin’ Java Music School in Vienna, VA, The Music Loft in Ashburn, VA, Frederick Community College, and his home studio in Frederick. His website is davidlestermusic.wix.com/home.

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PERCUSSION
 

Greg Herron
gherron@frederick.edu • (443) 621-8694
Bachelor's Degree, studio music and jazz, University of Miami, Florida; studied at the Boston Conservatory
Greg Herron is currently principal timpanist for the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and an active performer, recording musician and teacher in Maryland. Mr. Herron frequently appears with the Baltimore Opera Orchestra, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Maryland Symphony. He is heard on many recordings, including most recently, Michael Colgrass, Percussion Music 1951-57 (Equilibrium Records) released in 2012. He is a founding member of Equinox Brass and Percussion, an exciting group consisting of percussion duo and brass quintet. Formerly, he was principal percussionist/assistant timpanist of the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra (OSUANL) in Monterrey, Mexico, and principal percussionist of the Monterrey Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Herron has played with numerous orchestras and jazz ensembles under such conductors as Enrique Batiz, Marin Alsop, Robert Spano, and Christopher Hogwood. A featured clinician in the Percuba international percussion festival in Havana, Cuba, he has also given numerous percussion clinics throughout the United States. Mr. Herron is an Education Artist for Vic Frith Drumsticks. Currently, Mr. Herron is on the faculty at Frederick Community College, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and the Park School of Baltimore. He runs Herron Percussion Studios, a teaching studio with multiple locations, offering instruction in concert percussion, drum set, and hand drumming. Mr. Herron holds a bachelor's degree in studio music and jazz from the University of Miami, Florida, and studied at the Boston Conservatory. His teachers include Pat Hollenbeck (Boston Pops), Keith Aleo (Zildjian, Boston Conservatory), John Locke (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra), Nancy Zeltsman (Boston Conservatory), Don Liuzzi (Philadelphia Orchestra), Steve Rucker (University of Maryland), Steve Bagby (University of Maryland), and Fred Wickstrom (University of Maryland).

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PIANO

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SAXOPHONE

Howard Burns
hburns@frederick.edu • (301) 788-3274
Bachelor of Music, Howard University; Masters Degree, Royal Conservatory of Music, Brussels, Belgium
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Howard Burns attended Baltimore City public schools. In high school, Howard was a member of Chocolate Rain, a well-known band operating in Baltimore, Washington, DC, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. A high-energy group with an original sound, Chocolate Rain produced a record in the 1970, and was selected to open shows for Earth Wind and Fire, Ohio Players, Weather Report, Parliament, The Isley Brothers and the Blackbyrds. Burns attended Howard University, earning a Bachelor of Music degree, and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels, Belgium, where he earned his master’s degree. A member of the Blackbyrds and the Midnight Movers, he also performed with Clark Terry, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Joe Wilder, Butch Ballard, Buddy Catlett, Benny Powell, Hank Jones, John Handy, Curtis Fuller, Charles Davis, Lou Donaldson, The Four Tops, and The Temptations. The Howard Burns Quartet has been together for 20 years. He has appeared on five compact discs featuring the well-known jazz percussionist Kevin Yost.

Meredith Gersten
megersten@frederick.edu • www.mikegersten.com • www.ClarinetHQ.com
B.M.E. in Music Education, University of Kansas; M.M. in Clarinet Performance, University of Northern Colorado
Meredith is the managing director of Clarinet HQ, an online resource for young clarinetists and their band directors. Driving much of this work is her passion for engaging players of all ages and helping them establish proper clarinet techniques for lifelong success. She has taught in the public schools, serves on the International Clarinet Association's Youth Committee, and creates educational content for arts nonprofits. As a clarinetist, she has performed throughout the United States and Europe.

Michael Gersten
mgersten@frederick.edu
B.M.E. in Music Education and M.M. in Clarinet Performance, University of Kansas; D.A. in Clarinet and Music History, University of Northern Colorado
As an educator, Dr. Mike Gersten believes in providing students with the tools and support they need to achieve their goals. As a performer and creator, he is passionate about using music to explore society and culture. His film and live soundtrack, Hate, Hope, and Healing: Exploring the Holocaust Through Music, has received two separate grants from the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission. As part of the ensemble Driftwood Duo, he has written and commissioned new works for two clarinets that blend elements of klezmer music with the music of other cultures. They have performed his own music and the music of others across the U.S. and Europe, including at the International Clarinet Association’s annual conference and the Library of Birmingham (UK). Dr. Gersten is the Music Program Manager at FCC and previously served as Assistant Professor of Woodwinds at South Texas College and Co-Principal Clarinet of the Valley Symphony Orchestra.

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STRING BASS & STRING ENSEMBLE
 

David Lester
davidlestermusic@gmail.com
Bachelor’s Degree, Hood College; Manhattan School of Music studies
David Lester is a double bassist and electric bassist from Frederick, MD. A versatile musician, David is equally at home playing classical, jazz, funk, or rock. He has been freelancing in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area since 2006. Frequent collaborators include local legends Howard Burns, Anita Thomas, Jordan Clawson, and acclaimed jazz vocalist Kerensa Gray. David has studied at Hood College and Manhattan School of Music. His double bass teachers include Lynn Fleming, Jeff Weisner of the National Symphony Orchestra, Jeremy McCoy of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Orin O’Brien of the New York Philharmonic. A passionate educator, David maintains a busy teaching schedule at Jammin’ Java Music School in Vienna, VA, The Music Loft in Ashburn, VA, Frederick Community College, and his home studio in Frederick. His website is davidlestermusic.wix.com/home.

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TRUMPET
 

Olivia Malin
omalin@frederick.edu • (443) 845-5437
Yale School of Music
Trumpeter Olivia Malin has performed professionally with the Vermont Symphony, BRASS quintet, DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Brooklyn Funk Collective, and Mikata Salsa Band. A graduate of the Yale School of Music, she has also performed extensively with numerous graduate and undergraduate ensembles there, including at Carnegie Hall with the Yale Philharmonia. While a student, her brass quintet was a finalist in the annual Chamber Music competition, and she has since appeared on multiple CDs spanning a variety of music genres. Having recently relocated to the Maryland area, she is very excited to be back in her home state to explore all the musical opportunities here.

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VIOLIN/VIOLA
 

Jason Diggs
jadiggs@frederick.edu • (410) 812-2018
B.M., Viola and Artist Diploma in Quartet Studies,Shenandoah Conservatory;M.M., viola performance,San Francisco Conservatory
Mr. Diggs began studying violin at the age of 9 in Baltimore City public schools. He received his B.M. in viola and Artist Diploma in Quartet Studies from Shenandoah Conservatory and is one of the founding members of Argot. His teachers included Doris Lederer and C. Thomas Shaw of the Audubon Quartet, and Olivia Hajioff and Marc Ramirez of the MarcOliva Duo. He received his M.M. in viola performance from the San Francisco Conservatory under the instruction of Jodi Levitz of the Ives Quartet and received chamber instruction from pianist/violist Paul Hersh and violinist Axel Strauss. He has participated in chamber masterclasses given by Kim Kashkashian, Christoph Wyneken, John O'Conor, and the Juilliard Quartet as well as an orchestral master class given by Sir Simon Rattle serving as principal viola. When not performing with Argot, Mr. Diggs freelances with several orchestras includingThe Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, The National Philharmonic, Harrisburg Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra and is the principal violist of the National String Symphonia. He was the violist in the Foreign Landscapes CD by Hauschka, principal violist for the R. Kreutzer Violin Concertos 17-19 CD released by Naxos featuring violinist Axel Strauss, and violist for the 2008 Grammy nominated album Indigo Road by lutanist Ron Mcfarlane.

Rowell Jao
rjao@frederick.edu • (757) 779-7815
M.M. in Violin Pedagogy, M.M. and B.M. in Violin Performance, Shenandoah Conservatory of Music; Certificate in Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation, Northwestern University
Rowell Jao received an M.M. in Violin Pedagogy, M.M. and B.M. in Violin Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, Certificate in Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation, from Northwestern University, and is a Graduate of the Governor’s School for the Arts in VA. He is a Registered Suzuki Violin teacher and a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the Suzuki Association of the Greater Washington Area. Rowell is also member of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and has students participate in their ASTACAP yearly exams. With an extensive performance history playing with orchestras in Virginia and Maryland, as well as being the first violinist for the 2008 Grammy nominated album Indigo Road by lutanist Ronn Mcfarlane, Rowell Jao has a thriving music studio with over 10 years of experience teaching students of all ages.

Marjory Serrano
mserrano@frederick.edu • (540) 664-4068
Bachelor's Degree, cum laude, and Master's Degree, Artist Diploma in String Quartet Studies and Artist Diploma in Performance, Shenandoah University; Doctorate, Violin Performance, Catholic University of America in Washington, DC
Dr. Marjory Serrano began violin lessons at the Aragua Symphony Foundation in Maracay, Venezuela. In the US, she received her Bachelor's Degree, cum laude, Master's Degree, Artist Diploma in String Quartet Studies and Artist Diploma in Performance from Shenandoah University, under the tutelage of professors Marc Ramirez, Akemi Takayama, Doris Lederer, and Tom Shaw. She has appeared in Master Classes with such renowned musicians as violinist Anne-Akiko Myers, Glen Dicterow and Midori, and with pianist John O'Conor. She has participated in the Las Vegas Music Festival, the summer festival of the National Repertory Orchestra, Idyllwild Arts Music Festival, the Shenandoah Performs festival and the Castleton Festival. Dr. Serrano was the only participant from the Americas invited to participate in the International Violin Competition Citta d' Brescia in Italy in 2007. She received her Doctorate in Violin Performance at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, with a specialization in Latin American studies. Currently, she is the co-concertmaster of the Loudoun Symphony and the Apollo Orchestra. She is available to teach in-person and online.

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VOICE

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