FANG Man (b. 1977)

A native of China, FANG Man is currently residing in New York City. She recently completed her DMA at Cornell University where she studied composition with Steven Stucky and Roberto Sierra. Past credits include invitations to the Gaudeamus International Music Festival in Amsterdam (1996) and the Acanthes Center in Avignon, France (1997) where she studied with Qigang Chen, Marc-Andre Dalbavie, and Marco Stroppa. Her String Quartet No. 1 was selected for the "June in Buffalo" Festival 2001 performed by the Cassatt String Quartet; in the same summer, a full scholarship to the Bowdoin Summer Festival enabled her to study with George Crumb and Samuel Adler. Her first commission was from the Bank of America for an art opening in Seattle, WA. Composition awards include the "Yan Huang Cup" Composition Prize (China), the Music From China Award (USA), the Ishii Maki Composition Competition (Japan), the Summer Redstone/ Viacom Scholarship (USA), two Cecil Effinger Fellowships (USA), and the Sage Fellowship from Cornell University.

Dr. Nicholas Papador (b. 1972)

Nicholas Papador holds a Doctor of Music degree in percussion from Northwestern University, Master of Music degree from the Indiana University School of Music, as well as two bachelor's degrees from the University of Oregon. While at Indiana University he was awarded the coveted "Performer's Certificate." His graduate work in composition included study with Steve Rouse, Marilyn Shrude, and stephen Syverud with master classes/ lectures from David Dzubay, Wayne Peterson, Paul Ruders, Sven-David Sanstrom and Joan Tower among others. As a solo marimbist, percussionist, and timpanist, Papador has performed in Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Canada, and throughout the United States. He was a performer at the 1998 Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He has appeared recently as soloist, clinician, and resident composer at Cornell University, Florida International University, Indiana University, and University of Oregon, as well as high school and outreach performances and clinics throughout the U.S. His extensive recital repertoire includes standard marimba literature, his own compositions, and pieces written exclusive for him. Dr. Papador recently finished an appointment as Visiting Scholar in Cornell University's Society for the Humanities serving as accompanist, performer, and composer-in-residence for Cornell's Department of Theater, Film, and Dance. He is currently a special, sessional instructor of percussion at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. Other works by Dr. Papador are published through Warner Brothers and Studio 4 Music.Other works by Dr. Papador are published through Warner Brothers and Studio 4 Music.

Joel Smales (b. 1967)

Joel Smales is director of bands at Binghamton High School’s Rod Serling School of Fine Arts, in Binghamton, NY, where he conducts 2 concert bands, 2 jazz ensembles, a percussion ensemble and steel drum band. He holds music degrees from the Crane School of Music (BM) where he studied with James Petercsak and Binghamton University (MM). His school ensembles have performed for Bands of America, New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference, New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA), MENC Biennial National Conference, Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), and more.

As a performer, Mr. Smales is active in the upstate NY region where he performs as Principal Percussionist with the Tri-Cities Opera Orchestra, with the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, plays lead pan in the popular Caribbean steel band , PANIGMA. He has performed on over thirty CD’s encompassing jazz, pop, country, folk and audio books. His published works include percussion solos, ensembles, textbooks and method books published by Kendor, HoneyRock, Connecticut Hill Music Publishers and Phantom Music Publishing. Mr. Smales has presented clinics for NYSSMA, NYSBDA and MENC. His articles on music and percussion have appeared in Percussive Notes, School Band and Orchestra, School Music News, Pro-Mark Web Threads and Band World magazines. Joel is the New York State PAS Vice President and Percussion Chair for NYSSMA. For more information on Joel visit: www.joelsmales.com

Scott Snow (b. 1971)

Scott Snow received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education/ Jazz Performance from the University of Massachusetts. Former teachers include Alan dawson, Dr. Peter Tanner, and composition studies with Lewis Spratlan. Scott is a published author for Instrumentalist Magazine. As a demanded clinician he has presented at past Music Educator National Conference, Massachusetts Music Educators Association, and Percussive Arts Society events. Scott is currently a Board Certified Music Therapist and has started a private practice in Massachusetts. Scott is also founder and president of Robo-Percussion Music and Drumming Together.

Alex Specker (b. 1955)

Alex has played guitar since 6th grade. He took lessons from private teachers in New York City and Los Angeles and at the City College in New York. He has been a part of the Ithaca music scene for twenty plus years. A current and founding member of Rising Sign (a Latin dance band) and Swingsation, he has also played with The Purple Valley, Tom Knight, Bernie Milton, and other local bands and musicians throughout Central New York. As a solo artist, Alex has continued success as a composer and band leader and remains one of the areas most "in-demand" performers.

Jorge Cuevas (b.1959)

Although Jorge T. Cuevas was born in New York City, his earliest childhood memories come from growing up in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Feeling the call of drums and rhythm at an early age, Jorge slapped and tapped on any object that made a joyful sound. After performing and composing music in the genres of rock, funk, and reggae, a close friend inspired him to join a latin music band. From that moment on, Jorge has been composing latin influenced music. He is currently the leader of several Central New York based ensembles and heads his own production company JorgeVisions.

James Armstrong (b. 1966)

James Armstrong is the founder of House Panther Press and is currently Instructor of Percussion at Elizabethtown College in Central PA. He holds degrees from Bowling Green State University (MM) and Central Michigan University (BME). Jim has recorded and toured with MARASSA DUO, The Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble (DMP, Albany), Five Horse Johnson (Smallstone), and Paso Fino (ITown) to name a select few. He is co-author of "Vodou Drumset: Traditional Afro-Haitian Rhythms Applied to Drumst" (Carl Fischer, 2002), is a published composer through Drop6 Media, and is published in several professional journals and magazines. He is a Latin Percussion, Yamaha, Sabian, and Vic Firth artist and remains active as clinician, lecturer, and performer throughout the U.S., Canada and abroad.