5 Questions With Steve Collins

Steve Collins (B.M. ‘89) studied percussion at Hartt from 1985 to 1989.  He is currently living in Trumbull, CT.

What have you been up to since you graduated from Hartt?

Playing drums and percussion, teaching music, travel adventures, managing commercial construction projects, learning the field of orchestra management, marriage, kids, parenting 101, parenting 220, grey hair, returning to Hartford . . . .  Well it’s been 26 years!

What are you involved with right now?

I recently joined the management team of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra as their Director of Artistic Operations and Administration.  It is very challenging but rewarding work with immensely talented people.

What is one of your most memorable things about your time at Hartt?

The fantastic faculty really stands out, in particular my primary percussion teacher, Alexander Lepak.  Mr. Lepak was firm but kind, immensely knowledgeable but generous, joyful and incredibly funny.  He had a few personal trademarks that are etched in my memory of him: The cigar hanging from the corner of his mouth, and his directive to me in percussion lessons – “Make me want to dance!”

What did you learn during while at Hartt that you did not appreciate or recognize until after time passed and you had some time to reflect?

One great lesson from Mr. Lepak was simple but incredibly insightful.  I remember asking for his advice in playing a particularly demanding passage of music.  He listened to me play, said the passage was beautifully performed and asked me what advice I needed.  I asked him what to do if an orchestra conductor expected me to perform the passage in a different way.  He told me, “YOU decide how you’re going to play this passage.  Perform with the conviction you just showed me, and no one will ever ask you to do any differently.  YOU DECIDE.”  I think about his message to this day and try to remain faithful to my convictions in all I do.

What is next for you?

Fall 2014 Streaming Performances From Hartt

You can visit the Hartt website shortly before each performance to start the streaming performance.

 

The Halloween Concert with the Hartt Orchestra, Hartt Wind Ensemble, and Hartt Symphony Band

Friday, October 31, 2014, 10:30 pm

Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Millard Auditorium

 

Saxophone Studio Recital - Adolphe Sax's 200th Birthday

Thursday, November 6, 2014, 7:30 pm

Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Millard Auditorium

 

Senior Dance Concert

Saturday, November 8, 2014, 7:30 pm

Handel Performing Arts Center HPAC Roberts Theater

 

Evening with Guitar

Thursday, November 20, 2014, 8 pm

Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Berkman Recital Hall

 

Hartt Big Band

Friday, November 21, 2014, 7:30 pm

Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Millard Auditorium

 

Hartt Dances

Saturday, November 22, 2014, 7:30 pm

Lincoln Theater

 

Jazz Vocal Recital

Sunday, November 23, 2014, 3 pm

Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Millard Auditorium

 

Hartt Jazz Ensembles

Thursday, December 4, 2014, 7:30 pm

Lincoln Theater

 

Hartt Jazz Ensembles

Friday, December 5, 2014, 7:30 pm

Lincoln Theater

 

Percussion Ensemble

Saturday, December 6, 2014, 7:30 pm

Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Millard Auditorium

 

Foot in the Door

Wednesday, December 10, 2014, 7:30 pm

Lincoln Theater

 

Collegium Musicum

Thursday, December 11, 2014, 8 pm

Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Berkman Recital Hall

 

Hartt Orchestra

Friday, December 12, 2014, 7:30 pm

Lincoln Theater

 

Hartt Wind Ensemble and Hartt Symphony Band

Saturday, December 13, 2014, 7:30 pm

Lincoln Theater

 

Performance 20/20

Sunday, December 14, 2014, 5 pm

Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Berkman Recital Hall

5 Questions with Ben Bilello

Ben Bilello (BM ’99), studied Jazz Studies/African American Music (percussion) at Hartt from 1995 to 1999.  He is currently living in Durham, Connecticut.  

What have you been up to since you graduated from Hartt?

I have been a full time professional musician, private instructor,  jazz and percussion educator and clinician since I graduated in 1999. I have performed and/or recorded with Mulgrew Miller, Eddie Henderson,  Branford Marsalis, Anthony Braxton, Javon Jackson, Charles Flores, Curtis Fuller, Larry Willis, George Cables, Steve Davis and Charmaine Clamor, as well as many others.

I was a faculty member of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts from 2005 to 2013. While there, I taught percussion, jazz drumming, rudimental drumming and music theory.

I met my wife, Lauren, in 2001. We were married in 2007. We have a son, Michael, who just turned one year old in January.

I have a small side business in the fly fishing industry. I stopped fishing after leaving for college, but got back into it in my late twenties. My favorite quarry is the Atlantic salmon. I traveled to Russia’s Kola Peninsula, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, in June 2012. I fished the Kola and Kitza Rivers, renowned for having some of the world’s largest and toughest Atlantic salmon. 

What are you involved with right now?

At the moment, my most important job is raising my son. I had to cut back on teaching and I can’t take every gig that is offered, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I perform as much as possible, most notably in trio collaboration with pianist Laurence Hobgood and bassist Henry Lugo.

For the past few months, I have been working with Javon Jackson, the new chair of the Hartt’s Jackie McLean Jazz Institute. Under Professor Jackson’s leadership, and along with fellow Hartt alumni Stephen Porter and Andrew Renfroe, we have given clinics at local schools and lecture/performances as part of the University of Harford’s President’s College.

I will be appearing on two albums to be released in the very near future. One is with vocalist Atla DeChamplain and pianist Matt DeChamplain, both Hartt alumni. The other, with vocalist June Bisantz, is a tribute to trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker.

I teach one day a week at UConn’s Community School of the Arts. Within the past year, I have built a home teaching and rehearsal studio. I offer lessons throughout the week as my schedule allows. 

What is one of your most memorable things about your time at Hartt?

Having the opportunity to study with Professor Jackie McLean was a terrific experience. He was truly a pioneer in the field of jazz education. Studying (and frequently playing) with a musician of Professor McLean’s pedigree and magnitude is not something most college jazz students have the chance to do. I feel extremely fortunate to have been at Hartt while Professor McLean was teaching there.  

What did you learn during your time at Hartt that you did not appreciate or recognize until after time passed and you had some time to reflect?

When I look back, I am amazed at how much free time I had compared to now. It certainly didn’t feel that way when I was a student. I practiced a fair amount while I was at Hartt, usually around four to six hours a day. Despite being fairly diligent, I could have made better use of  the free time I had (instead of hanging around the Hartt hallways or shooting pool at Gengras or the Hawk’s Nest).

Having a place to practice regularly was a luxury I took for granted. Until I became a homeowner, finding a place to practice was tricky at times. Now that I have a dedicated practice space (and a family), finding the time is the main issue. 

What is next for you?

In terms of professional endeavors, I have no idea. I have always taken opportunities as they arise. Often times they are unexpected. I have made my living as an accompanist, which I love, but I’d like to start to devote more time to projects under my own leadership. 

Thanks, Ben. If you want people to get in touch, how can they do so?

You can visit my website at www.benbilello.com or email me at ben@benbilello.com