Eastside Studio
	Westside Studio
	Tribeca Studio
	Turtle Bay Studio

Eastside:

Catherine Oberg, teacher,holds a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she received a scholarship to study acting at The Stella Adler Conservatory. After appearing in film, theatre, and television, she returned to her first love, music. A violinist since the age of 8, Catherine was able to teach herself how to play the drums, and then went on to study drumming and percussion in New York City. Highlights of her New York musical experience include recording and touring with rock band HOME, sitting in with keyboard legend Bernie Worrell, (founding member of Parliament/Funkadelic), and appearing on various recordings from StudioGBrooklyn where she currently records and collaborates with Joel Hamilton and Tony Maimone. Catherine plays GMS drums.

Michelle O'Connor teacher, violist, Michelle O'Connor is an actress/composer/playwright. Michelle received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University in 2000. Since moving to New York, Michelle co-wrote and composed "No Such Roses", which appeared in the 2004 NY International Fringe Festival. She also co-wrote "SPEAK!" which appeared in the NY Fringe 2001.  Since Fringe, "SPEAK!" appeared at The Culture Project in 2003.  In addition, she has composed for various Shakespeare plays around New York. Most recently Michelle composed for "Rumplestiltskin" at Contemporary Stages.

Carina Zimmerman, teacher, is originally from Rhode Island. She began taking piano lessons at the age of seven and violin lessons at the age of nine. During her youth, she participated in RIPYO, All-State Orchestras, and music festivals. In high school, Carina played with the Toll Gate String Orchestra, a nationally and internationally acclaimed orchestra, with whom she traveled with to many festivals and competitions. Carina attended Wheaton College in Norton, MA where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and graduated Magna Cum Laude in May of 2004.

Soyoung Kim pianist, began playing piano at the age of 5 in Korea. She has given numerous concerts as a pianist and composer in Korea, Japan, and New York. She graduated from Ewha Women's University, majoring in Classical Music Composition, and received her Master's degree in Music Technology from New York University. She has composed music for several children's books.

Alexander Ruvinshteyn, pianist, studied at the Gnesin Academy in Moscow, Russia, and earned his Doctorate at the Maimonides Academy. Alexander has participated in many festivals and concert series throughout Europe as soloist and chamber musician, and has appeared on television in Moscow. The Gurevich-Ruvinshteyn piano duo has won top prizes at several international piano competitions. After moving to the United States in 1997, Alexander made his U.S. debut at the Union County Art Center in NJ. Since then he has been pursuing his solo and chamber music performing career, including a Carnegie Hall debut in March of 2003.

Katia Asthalter assistant manager, was born in Paris, France. At fourteen she arrived in the U.S to attend prep school at Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts. There she developed her love for opera. She pursued this passion in the school choir and took voice lessons. Katia attended Wheaton College in Norton, MA for three years before the need for city living got the better of her. Katia transferred to The New School in New York City, where she received a B.A. in Modern European History.

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Westside:

Erin Hall, teacher, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from The New School. Erin started playing the cello at age 9 in Boise, Idaho, and performed with numerous chamber groups and orchestras up through college. Most recently, Erin started composing her own music: singing funny songs while accompanying herself on her cello.  She is thrilled to be a teacher at Hands On, and can’t wait to introduce young children to the wonderful world of music.

Amy Kirkhum, teacher, holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where her primary instrument was French Horn. She grew up in a musical household, where both her parents were music teachers, and consequently learned to play all the wind instruments. After teaching elementary school music for two years, Amy went on to earn her Law degree at Indiana University, but after having practiced law, decided to return to her true love of music and children. She hopes to eventually become famous, but will settle for infamous.

Catherine Oberg, teacher, holds a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she received a scholarship to study acting at The Stella Adler Conservatory. After appearing in film, theatre, and television, she returned to her first love, music. A violinist since the age of 8, Catherine was able to teach herself how to play the drums, and then went on to study drumming and percussion in New York City. Highlights of her New York musical experience include recording and touring with rock band HOME, sitting in with keyboard legend Bernie Worrell, (founding member of Parliament/Funkadelic), and appearing on various recordings from StudioGBrooklyn where she currently records and collaborates with Joel Hamilton and Tony Maimone. Catherine plays GMS drums.

Takako Hatanaka, pianist, began playing piano at the age of 5 in Japan. She continued piano lessons privately till she was 17 years old. Later on, she graduated from The Mannes College of Music with a degree in Jazz Voice Performance. Recently, she received her Masters from The Aaron Copland School of Music in Jazz Voice Performance.

Brian Holman, pianist, a native of Arizona, began his musical career at eight, singing with the Tucson Boys Chorus, with whom he toured Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. He received degrees in both English and Piano from Arizona State University, where he won the school concerto competition and studied with Robert Hamilton. He completed his graduate degree at Manhattan School of Music, studying with Nina Svetlanova. Brian has given recitals in both the United States and Europe, and has been heard on KBAQ radio in Phoenix. His interests also include conducting and composition.

Joo Hee Kang, pianist, born in Korea, has played the piano since she was five years old. Prior to moving to the U.S., Joo Hee studied piano at the Mozarteum School of Music in Salzburg, Austria. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Mannes School of Music, and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Film Music Composition from New York University. She was recently selected as a Top 10 Finalist at the Turner Classsic Film Music Competition. Joo Hee is also an accompanist at a Korean Presbyterian church.

Aya Kato, pianist, born in Japan, began taking piano lessons at the age of three and in May 2003 graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, majoring in Jazz Composition.   She is planning to tour with the Kara Suzanne Band to several countries and start her new band A.K.Trio playing her original compositions with electric bass and percussion.

Soyoung Kim, pianist, began playing piano at the age of 5 in Korea. She has given numerous concerts as a pianist and composer in Korea, Japan, and New York. She graduated from Ewha Women's University, majoring in Classical Music Composition, and received her Master's degree in Music Technology from New York University. She has composed music for several children's books.

Yu-Sheng Ma, pianist, originally from Taiwan, started piano lessons at the age of five. She came to the United States in 1986 to continue her career. Graduated with both Pedagogy and Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music, Miss Ma has given numerous concerts and has received enthusiastic reviews from critics. She also earned many accolades and honors from piano competitions. Her tremendous accompanying and teaching experiences have made her active in Taiwan, England, and America.     Lauren Bock assistant manager, was born and raised in Manhattan. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Hampshire College, where she majored in music and visual arts. During the Fall 2004 semester, she studied traditional Irish music at University College Cork in Ireland. Lauren is primarily a singer/songwriter and guitarist, and she intends to pursue graduate studies in Music Education.

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Tribeca:

Sinead Hollis, teacher, born and raised in Northern Connecticut, began studying the violin at the age of nine. She trained under Anhared Stowe, co-founder of the New World Chamber Ensemble, and has traveled extensively with various string ensembles. As an Irish step-dancing instructor, Sinead became interested in traditional Celtic music. Her playing style now blends classical and folk influences, and can be heard around Manhattan with her band Ahab Seamus. Sinead is a UConn graduate with a B.F.A. in Acting.

Cecilia Kim, teacher, was born in Seoul, Korea and came to the United States when she was thirteen years old. Her musical studies began at the age of five with both piano and cello. She attended Peabody Institute of John Hopkins University where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She is currently very active as a chamber music player, and she coaches a string quartet at the College of Staten Island.

Susan Perkins, teacher, holds a Masters of Music degree from Florida State University, a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in violin performance, and Suzuki training from Stevens Point, Wisconsin. She is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique at the American Center for the Alexander Technique in Manhattan.

Tatyana Kolchina, Ms. Tatyana Kolchina, piano, earned her Master’s Degree in Piano from Gnesin Music Academy and a diploma in voice from Vlasenko School of Music and Arts in Moscow. She is the winner of national piano competitions in Russia and Azerbaijan, and has performed frequently as pianist (soloist and chamber musician) and singer. Tatyana’s work experience includes teaching piano and voice in Russia and accompanying for the Bolshoy Theatre Ballet and Galina Vishnevskaya Children’s Theatre in Moscow. In 2001, Ms. Kolchina was invited to join Hands On! A Musical Experience.

Sara Fendelman, Sara Fendelman, Art Educator, glass blower, painter, art teacher extraordinaire. Sara received her BFA from Tyler School of Art. At reputable schools such the Philadelphia Art and Music School she taught classical techniques of painting, drawing and sculpture to students ages three through twelve. She also spent over three years at the Abington Art Center as the lead instructor of an art program for youth at risk. In addition, as an assistant to the owner/director of an art gallery in Manhattan, she gained practical work experience in the arts. These professional experiences have enabled her to, not only inspire and encourage through art, but also communicate with children warmly and diplomatically.

Stephanie Vella, Stephanie Vella, assistant manager, is a recent graduate of Bennington College with a BA in drama. A Pittsburgh native, she grew up studying classical piano and ballet. She has worked for companies such as Mass MoCA, the Vermont Arts Exchange, Pittsburgh City Theatre, and Trinity Rep. Currently, when not manning the front desk at the Tribeca Hands On, she is working in New York City as a theatre and video artist.

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Turtle Bay:

Chaerim Kim, teacher, originally from Houston, Texas, began her musical studies taking piano lessons at the age of 4 and then studying the violin at 8 years old. She was a member of the Houston Youth Orchestra for many years and was a founding member of the Greater Houston Youth Orchestra. She competed in several competitions and won First Place in the Music Teacher’s National Association Regional and State Concerto Competitions and received National Level Recognition. She has had several solo appearances with many orchestras in Texas. She began her Bachelor of Music studies at Rice University Shepherd School of Music under the instruction of Kenneth Goldsmith. She transferred to the Manhattan School of Music in 2000, and completed her Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance in May, 2003 under the tutelage of Lucie Robert. Her future aspirations include becoming a member of a major Symphony Orchestra as well as an established violin/music teacher. She enjoys reading, cooking, and watching movies.

Catherine Oberg, teacher, holds a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she received a scholarship to study acting at The Stella Adler Conservatory. After appearing in film, theatre, and television, she returned to her first love, music. A violinist since the age of 8, Catherine was able to teach herself how to play the drums, and then went on to study drumming and percussion in New York City. Highlights of her New York musical experience include recording and touring with rock band HOME, sitting in with keyboard legend Bernie Worrell, (founding member of Parliament/Funkadelic), and appearing on various recordings from StudioGBrooklyn where she currently records and collaborates with Joel Hamilton and Tony Maimone. Catherine plays GMS drums.

Sara Fendelman, Sara Fendelman, Art Educator, glass blower, painter, art teacher extraordinaire. Sara received her BFA from Tyler School of Art. At reputable schools such the Philadelphia Art and Music School she taught classical techniques of painting, drawing and sculpture to students ages three through twelve. She also spent over three years at the Abington Art Center as the lead instructor of an art program for youth at risk. In addition, as an assistant to the owner/director of an art gallery in Manhattan, she gained practical work experience in the arts. These professional experiences have enabled her to, not only inspire and encourage through art, but also communicate with children warmly and diplomatically.

Olga Gurevich, pianist, received her Master’s Degree at Gnesin Music Academy and her post-graduate piano diploma at Maimonides State Academy in Moscow, Russia. She is the winner of national and international piano competitions, and has given many recitals in Russia, Portugal, Germany, Italy, as well as other countries. In 1997, Olga moved to the U.S., and made her American debut at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall with Ayca Tekin-Kelesoglu. Olga was invited to teach at the piano faculty of the Maimonides State Academy in Moscow from 2001 to 2002, and two of her students are now laureates of the National Young Musicians Competition in Ufa, Russia.

Takako Hatanaka, pianist, began playing piano at the age of 5 in Japan. She continued piano lessons privately till she was 17 years old. Later on, she graduated from The Mannes College of Music with a degree in Jazz Voice Performance. Recently, she received her Masters from The Aaron Copland School of Music in Jazz Voice Performance.

Susan Beck, Susan Beck, assistant manager, is a New Jersey native. She graduated from Muhlenberg College with a degree in Communications. Susan was very active with WMUH Allentown, her college radio station, as both the business manager and a DJ. She has studied piano and drums. In the near future, Susan is planning on pursuing a Masters Degree in education.

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