Jazz

Connor Ellis

Connor Ellis (saxophone) graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire. While at UNH, Connor performed extensively in both classical and commercial genres with the 3 O’Clock Big Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Combo, and Saxophone Quartet. As a college student, Connor had opportunities to perform and learn from artists such as Adam Larson, Miguel Zenón, Mike Conrad, Michele Fernández, and more. As a member of the 3 O’Clock Big Band, Connor embarked on an international performance tour with a notable performance at the 50th Anniversary of the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. A passionate learner, Connor has benefitted from the teachings of Dr. Nathan Jorgensen, Barry Saunders, Luis Hernandez, and Nick Mainella. Outside of teaching private lessons,

Jarred Garneau

Jarred Garneau (guitar) has years of experience playing live and completed his BA in Guitar Performance at Berklee College of Music in 2023. He has studied guitar with David Newsam, Dani Rabin, Dan Bowden, and Robin Stone. Specializing in slide guitar and improvisation across various genres, Jarred’s style is unique to himself. In addition to past projects with The Freestones and The Ferret Brothers, Jarred has made a name for himself as a session musician/sideman with names such as Stu Dias, Dean Harlem, Todd Hearon, John Webb, and the Allman Brothers cover band: Idlewild. Jarred’s most recent musical endeavor is his solo band where he collaborates with some of the best musicians in the Seacoast area, with material ranging from blues, jazz, flamenco, classical, and

Jared Steer

Jared Steer (percussion -on sabbatical Fall 2024) is an active performer/educator based in central NH. He received a BA in Music Performance from Plymouth State College. There he studied drum set and percussion with Tim Gilmore, Eric C. Hughes and Craig Fahey. After receiving his degree he continued studies with Rakalam Bob Moses, Bob Gullotti, Jeff Ballard, Dave Dicenso, Steve Michaud, Thierry Arpino, Jerry Leake and Greg Hutchinson. In 2017 he went back to PSU to take classes toward obtaining a music education degree. Jared either currently or has held faculty positions at the Manchester Community Music School, Holderness School, New Hampton School, Fryeburg Academy, Tilton School, Interlakes School District, and Sant Bani School. He facilitates drum workshops from school and community events. He performs and records regionally as well

Andrew Grosvenor

Andrew Grosvenor is a piano player and songwriter with many years of experience playing professionally in a variety of styles. Andrew teaches beginner piano as well as intermediate to advanced jazz and rock piano, theory and improvisation. He also serves as keyboardist and bandleader of the regional band “Andrew North & the Rangers”

Zeb-Cruikshank

Zeb Cruikshank

Zeb Cruikshank (jazz and popular music department chair, jazz, blues, and rock guitar) performs and teaches in musical genres ranging from blues and classic rock to acoustic fingerstyle, jazz, and classical guitar. Most recently he was a full-time guitar faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. He holds a Bachelor’s in Guitar Performance from McNally Smith College of Music, with further studies in their advanced Artist Diploma program. Zeb has recorded five albums, and opened for national acts such as Maceo Parker, Living Colour, Semisonic, Firehouse, and Chris Duarte. In Minneapolis he was known for his original jazz fusion project The Zeb Cruikshank Band, his acoustic duo Jess & Zeb, and classic rock band The Brute Squad.

Matt Langely

Matt Langley

Matt Langley (saxophones (remote only)) has studied with Lou Marini of Saturday Night Live, David Baker, Ted Dunbar, and Stan Strickland. He has recorded extensively with the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet, his own group, Color, with pianist Pandelis Karayorgis’ group System of 5, and with Mike Effenberger’s weirdturnpro. Mr. Langley has also shared the stage or recording studio with Ron Carter, Richie Cole, Fred Hersch, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, Matt Wilson, Tiger Okoshi, Roswell Rudd, Dave Douglas, and many others.

Anthony Varga

Anthony Varga (Music Therapy Program Coordinator, music therapy, upright bass) is a graduate of the Music Therapy Equivalency program at Saint Mary of the Woods College in Indiana. Prior to becoming a music therapist, Tony enjoyed a rewarding career as a public school music educator, directing school orchestras in New Jersey for seven years before moving to New Hampshire and joining the Concord School District in 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Rutgers University, a Master of Arts degree from Rowan University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Boston University. In addition to a prolific academic career, Tony is also a veteran of the United States Navy.