Jason Bellenkes – Saxophone, Clarinet
Jason Bellenkes is a professional musician, band leader, and music educator in the Bay Area. As a student and university music major, Jason studied saxophone with Dann Zinn, and clarinet with William Wohlmacher at Cal State East Bay. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Cal State East Bay in music performance, and has been teaching full time private lessons since 2003. Jason also teaches small chamber ensembles, workshops, summer camps, and full band ensembles in many locations throughout the bay area. Many of his students have been section leaders in their school bands, and have been award winning soloists at events such as CMEA. They have also participated in groups such as EL Camino Youth Symphony, California Youth Symphony, and San Jose Youth Symphony, as well as various bay area honor bands.
Jason is always willing to accept new students into his studio at all levels, especially beginners. He has a passion for teaching children late elementary through high school. In his class, students will learn about how to create good tone on their instrument, and have solid technique when they play. They will also learn about music theory, and be given full knowledge of scales and chords. Students will study different styles of music from classical to jazz to pop, and discuss music history, listening and appreciation. Most importantly, he strives to achieve the students personal goals, at the same time making the lessons fun and motivating.
David Tang – Trumpet, French Horn
Mr. Tang inherited his music talent from his mother, the concertmaster violinist of Central Opera House for 30 years. Beginning at the age of 15, he studied Trumpet and French Horn with Mr. Wang Yucai, the Horn principal of the Opera House, and then Mr. Yang Jie, the principal of the Central Ballet Symphony Orchestra. David entered China Children’s Art Theatre at the age of 19, and was a professional musician in the theater orchestra from 1979 to 1982. In 1981, he was seconded to the Central Opera House for the performance of the Carmen Suite under the famous conductor Zheng Xiaoying. David taught the Trumpet and French Horn at Beijing Youth Palace in 1980. After moving to the United States, he participated in the Mormon Symphony Orchestra (2017-2018), Mission College Band (2018-2019), and Newark Symphony Winds (2015-present). In 2019, he started the Bay Area Chinese Brass Quintet with Kwang Jen and other teaching artists. he has been teaching many years
Katie Lambert – Trombone, Tuba
Katie Lambert is a professional trombonist and music educator in the Bay Area. She holds a Master’s Degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and earned her Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, she began her trombone career surrounded and mentored by the leading brass players in the Chicagoland area. Katie is a frequent freelancer in the area, having played with the Stockton & California Symphony Orchestras. As an educator, Katie provides masterclasses and privately teaches trombone and euphonium to players of all skill levels. Throughout her professional studies, Katie participated in national & international festivals, including the Prague Summer Nights Festival and Miami Music Festival. She has performed in masterclasses for trombonists such as Timothy Higgins, Joe Alessi, Sean Reusch, Colin Wise, Ken Wolff, and Ross Holcombe. Before her collegiate career, Katie attended the Merit School of Music and Midwest Young Artists Conservatory.