Yun-Huei Jen is a double bassist and pianist from Taiwan. She began studying double bass and piano at the age of 4, and has 4 years experience teaching students of all ages and abilities in the U.S. After receiving her bachelor degree in Taiwan, in order to pursue a more professional education in music, Yun-Huei began her studies in the U.S at University of North Texas in 2017. She received her Masters degree
in performance at University of North Texas studying with Dr. Gudrun Raschen. She also earned a Graduate Artist Certificate degree in double bass performance, where she was a student of Jeff
Bradetich. She is now pursuing her second year of Doctoral studies at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She won a number of international competitions while studying at UNT including UNT Concerto competition, the 2021 International Fringe Competition held in Hong Kong, 2nd prize of the online double bass competition, and honorable mention of the Progressive Musicians Competition. She received a full scholarship to attend the Heartland Chamber Music Festival and the Vancouver Symphony Summer Festival.

My name is Grace Edwards and I am a retired Spanish teacher from San Antonio, Texas. My husband and I moved to Cincinnati 13 years ago to be with our daughter and her family. I have taken and am taking Art classes with Allison for the last 4 years. 
My Mexican grandmother taught me how to sew and crochet when I was very young. I have fond memories of sitting at her feet making long crochet lines, trying to make them even. I have also taken classes in both areas as well as learning how to knit and quilt, and have taught sewing and quilting at Joann Fabrics.

Born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio, Ian Hilvert is a versatile musician whose journey spans genres and instruments. Starting on guitar in a punk band at 15, Ian later joined Death Metal band Fenrir, where he played until 2014. His passion for drums sparked during this time, leading him to become a multi-instrumentalist. While playing drums for another heavy metal band, Ian explored psych rock and chillwave as a solo artist, honing his love for recording on an 8 track cassette recorder. In 2015 Ian founded Sungaze, where he writes, records and mixes, performing as vocalist and guitarist alongside his wife. Today he continues to expand his creative horizons, playing guitar in Midlife Reverie, playing drums in Left at Orion, and playing bass in Multimagic. Ian’s diverse experiences reflect his deep connection to music and commitment to creating across styles.

John Bertke is an accomplished, professional drummer who has been playing for well over 20 years. He regularly performs live at venues around the city and has toured coast to coast as well as internationally. He has a great deal of recording experience with exposure reaching national TV. John has been teaching privately and working with marching percussion groups since 2003. His teaching skills range from basic drumming to multiple styles of drum set percussion to specializing in marching snare/tenor/bass drum. He has worked with many Cincinnati high schools, including Elder, Sycamore, Turpin, and Madeira.

Nick Federinko has been making and experiencing music his whole life. Raised on the classics, seeking comfort in oldies and 90’s radio, music has always been crucial to getting through life’s ups and downs. At fourteen, he had the urge to pick up a guitar, and what was supposed to be a side hobby ended up catapulting him into many exciting activities: youth group band, jazz band, pit orchestra, traveling internationally with marching band, and, finally, leading a band through covers and originals. A transplant from Michigan (fear not, he roots for the Buckeyes), Nick’s studies in English and religion took him from Ada, Ohio, to a Methodist seminary north of Columbus, to Cincinnati in search of an exciting and meaningful life. 
Today, Nick has found that meaning through playing in multiple bands and teaching. He wants to help others find new kinds of joy and affirmation through music. No matter your skill level or favorite music, he will help you enrich your life and your spirit through musical expression. Nick mostly listens to the classics and alternative rock- preferably on vinyl- but is currently exploring jazz and hip hop. He relishes the chance to play any and every style, from vintage-flavored rock, to pop reggae, to neo soul, to the occasional praise song. In addition to teaching and playing music, Nick does audio/video work, including the ETB Music “Tiny Desk” videos, church communications, and social media.

Carl G grew up knowing music was going to be his path in life in a little community called Sayler Park. Both he and his sister Alison followed the arts as a career choice and have composed music together in a band called entheos. Carl received a certificate in Sound Engineering in 2003 from the Recording Workshop and worked for Cincinnati Recreation Commission as a sound engineer on Fountain Square and the P & G Pavillion. While taking lessons at Keller Music in 2006, he was offered a job teaching guitar.  In addition to Keller Music, he has worked for Mehas Music, and the School of Rock as a Vocal, Guitar and Bass instructor.  Home | carl-g

Justin Van Wagenen was born and raised right here in Cincinnati,OH. He attended Sycamore schools and was extremely active in their music programs growing up. Sycamore has been nationally ranked for it’s music programs, and their marching band has placed in the top 30 in the nation. Throughout his early years, Justin played drum set in Sycamore’s jazz band, electric orchestrea, pep band and others. He also played regualry with his original band, Bright Eyed Youth who frequented many venues in Cincinnati. One of these venues, The Underground, gave Bright Eyed Youth the opportunity to open for Twenty One Pilots when Justin was just 16. In addition to drumset, Justin recived 8 total superior ratings at OMEA Solo and Ensemble competions in percussion ensemble, orchestral snare drum, multiple percussion and more. He was a section leader in the drumline from his Sophomore year onward. He also was 1st chair in Sycamore’s top band and earned 2nd chair in OMEA’s district 14 Honor Band. 
 
Right out of High School, Justin started teaching and has not stopped since! His first gig was teaching drumline at Western Brown High School. After just his first season, Justin started composing the winter percussion shows and wrote the following season’s marching band percussion parts for a Danny Elfman themed show. Justin lead the Western Brown Drumline to their highest score and placement in 2015, the same year he released his third album… See more

Mary White has recently retired as a Music Teacher of 41 years. Her last teaching post was the Music Director at Mercy McAuley High School. She is so excited to join the staff at ETB, which will allow her to continue to share her love of music with others. In her new “retired chapter” she knows she will enjoy spending time with her husband, grown children and grandchildren. Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, and travel.

Alison Shepard loves to make art and empower students to pursue their creative dreams! With over 25 years of teaching experience, Alison has taught children, teens, and adults of all ages.
Alison holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Norther Kentucky University and a Master of Fine Arts from Miami University. She also studied Printmaking in Mallorca and Classical Realist Drawing in Barcelona, Spain. Alison was an art professor from 2004-2014, and has been working as a full-time artist for the last 7 years. Learning from Alison is an opportunity to receive a college-level education from an experienced artist at a fraction of the cost.  Alison is able to offer a depth of technical training in painting and drawing to take your talents to the next level!
When Alison isn’t teaching, you may find her singing with her brother, Carl Shepard, in their band, entheos, or playing music with Carl and John Bertke in MixTape, or making art and murals with her husband, Evan Hildebrandt.  Alison has also recently published a children’s book, Millie the Monarch, and is offering children’s curriculum and workshops that will inspire the whole family!

Sarah Gorak (Schmidt) began her musical journey in her elementary school orchestra program in Renton, Washington.  In 2013, she graduated from Central Washington University (CWU) with a Bachelor’s of Music Education and her K-12 teaching certification with specializations in Instrumental, Choral, and General Music. 
Sarah has filled many music instructor roles over the years with as young as preschoolers to retired adults. She was an active staff member in the CWU Preparatory Strings program and she was nominated as employee of the year in 2012. She has taught at many studios such as Queen City Music Studio, Immanuel School of Music, Tallant Music Studio, Arches of Oak Hills, and Reading Community Arts Center. She also enjoys performing for preschool/early childhood classrooms.                                                                                                                                                          
Sarah strongly believes in being a lifelong student so she enjoys pursuing learning other fiddle styles, jazz/improvisation, and other instruments. She has attended alternative strings styles workshops including Creative Strings Workshop, Rustic Roots, Fiddle Hell, and Strings Without Boundaries. She has studied with international qualifying jazz cellist Greg Byers and is actively studying with improvising extraordinare Rob Flax since 2017 See more

David Puthoff is a guitarist and teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio. He has been hooked on the instrument since his first lesson in 2003, and his passion for playing and teaching has only grown since then. While best known for his work on electric guitar, his classical studies—culminating in a Master of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music—broadened his sound and refined his technique.

A lifelong musician, David started out drumming in Elder High School’s Marching Band, earning the Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. He later earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Mount St. Joseph University, and his dedication also led him to Los Angeles for the Synyster Gates Masterclass, sponsored by Guitar Center.

Today, David continues to perform, teach, and inspire others to explore their own creativity through music.

Logan Montgomery is a vocal instructor with over 10 years of competitive and semi-professional experience. He began as a Bass in the LaSalle High School Vocal Ensemble and continued honing his skills with the University of Cincinnati’s ICCA competitive team, the Vocaholics. Most recently he’s been a founding member of the LaSalle Alumni Vocal Ensemble and enjoys the opportunity to share the love and support he received on his vocal journey with students at the Madcap Education Center.

Elisha Walker is an alumni of Kentucky Christian University (1993-1997). Along with her studies, which focused on a major in Middle Grades Education & History, she traveled with the university’s elite singing groups Destiny & Concert Choir. These groups led to opportunities to perform with notable musicians, such as British composer/conductor John Rutter (founder of the Cambridge Singers) and legendary folk singer Judy Collins. Elisha has performed in many venues, from local stages such as Cincinnati’s Ludlow Garage to New York City’s Carnegie Hall. In 2000, Mrs. Walker taught Music & Art at Christ Centered School (Pre-K – 8th grades). She also began teaching private voice at this time

In 2007, Elisha began singing lead as a member of Cincinnati band A Mason’s Tale, singing at many local spots such as Urban Artifact, Henke Winery, & Findlay Market & many more. After years of being a stay at home mom, she resumed teaching K- 8 Music, this time at St. Bernard’s Catholic School in Taylor Creek. She is thrilled to be part of the staff at Madcap!

Grant Hater is a percussionist who has performed in many different settings including marching band, orchestra, percussion ensemble, and steel drum band. He teaches private lessons as well as classes in the Rock Academy program. Outside of the studio, Grant still performs music and directs the Elder Adult Steel Drum Band.

I went to the University of Kentucky where I got my Bachelor of Arts in art studio and art education degree. I have been teaching art for the past 8 years. I currently teach elementary art full time. The medium I work with the most is acrylic and watercolor paint. I love experimenting with clay, as well. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my partner Wade and our two cats, Louie and Evelyn!