The Hartt Hall of Fame - Inaugural Class Induction

In 2016, the Board of Trustees of The Hartt School created The Hartt Hall of Fame.  As created by the Board:


The Hartt Hall of Fame recognizes and honors the accomplishments and contributions of individuals associated with The Hartt School who have helped in significant ways to further the mission of the School and showcase the best of the School to external audiences.


The Inaugural Class consists of the following people:
Samuel Berkman
Edward Diemente
Alfred C. and Primrose Fuller
Raymond Hanson
Julius Hartt
Irene Kahn
Jackie McLean
Elemer Nagy
Elizabeth Warner Paranov
Moshe Paranov
Imanuel Willheim


The induction ceremony for the Class of 2017 will take place on November 30, 2017 at 12:15 p.m. in Millard Auditorium during Paranov Hour (previously known as Musicianship Class).  The ceremony will be streamed live on the internet.

5 Questions with Shana Mahoney

Shana Mahoney (B.M. ‘93) studied Music Theatre at Hartt from 1989-1993.  She is currently living in New York City.

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

Right after I graduated from Hartt I got my first job at a summer-stock theatre in the Catskills doing 7 musicals over the course of 5 months.  I actually couldn't even attend my graduation ceremony from Hartt because I had already started rehearsals, and was working, which I thought was a great sign.  I was lucky enough to work non-stop performing in musicals for several years after graduation.  I performed in summer stock, regional theatre and national tours including: Forbidden Broadway, and Evita.  

While on tour with Evita, I auditioned for and booked the European tour of Cats playing Gumbie/Griddlebone.  I was lucky enough to perform in Switzerland, Italy, France and Austria.  While in Austria I auditioned and booked the European premiere company of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in Vienna, which I performed in for a year.  After that I was also cast in the world premiere of Roman Polanski and Jim Steinman’s Dance of the Vampire, which I also recorded the original cast album for. 

After a year’s run of Dance of the Vampire, (and getting married to an Austrian), my husband Andreas and I moved back to New York after several years in Europe. I booked a job that summer as the lead singer in the Supper Club’s Andrews Sisters and Swing Dance show in Manhattan, which was a lot of fun.  After that, I booked the Broadway 1st National tour of Cabaret starring Teri Hatcher and Norbert Leo Butz.  I toured for several years with Cabaret- and I even took a leave of absence to give birth to my first daughter Sophia and returned to the tour just in time to spend a month in Tokyo, Japan with the show.  We also performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and us Cabaret-girls recorded a National commercial for Degree deodorant, which was a lot of fun!  Why they wanted to feature girls with hairy armpits for a deodorant commercial is beyond me, but I was happy for the opportunity to have a national commercial!

After landing back in New York, and having a second daughter, I tried to station myself in the city and not travel as much, doing local off-Broadway shows, and singing concerts and church jobs.  I was hired as a professional cantor at St. Barnabas Church, and did several concerts with them over the years.  I also started a voice studio, which has grown so big now that I have a long waiting list.  My vocal studio is one of my biggest joys of my career, and I enjoy it immensely.

I am also a teaching artist at the Riverdale Children's Theatre.  www.riverdaletheatre.org  RCT was just named in Backstage Magazine as "one of the 12 Great Children's Theaters Across the U.S."  It is an amazing place to work.  I am currently the music supervisor of Annie, and playing the role of Grace.  I love being able to share my love of music theatre with children.  I was also hired last year to be the music director of The Saint Barnabas Church in Bronx, NY.  www.stbarnabasbronx.org  It’s the largest Irish-Catholic parish in the country actually, and I direct 4 choirs there, as well as plan the music for Masses, weddings and funerals. 

Next year, our Saint Barnabas children s choir is invited to perform in Rome for Pope Francis in the Sistine Chapel with the Sistine Chapel Choir.  This is a huge honor for us, and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to take the choir there for the Epiphany Mass.

I am also currently attending the Saint Cecelia Academy of Music at The Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, NY pursing a Master’s Degree in Theology/Sacred Music.  http://nyliturgy.org/st-cecilia-academy-for-pastoral-musicians/

What are you involved with right now?

A few years ago, in a Manhattan restaurant, I happened to meet a platinum award-winning record producer by chance.  I convinced him to listen to a demo recording of my voice.  After several meetings and discussions, he offered me a recording contract under his label.  For a few years, we developed a concept for an album, and wrote songs together.  He helped me to develop a unique style of classical-type vocals, combined with electronic pop production.  I am happy to say that I just finished the album entitled Beyond The River under my artist name “Shalyma”. The album is available as a special “friends and family pre-release sale” before it becomes officially released in the late Spring/Summer.  I’m very proud of the work I did on the album.  I am especially proud to have some of the pieces that I composed featured on it.  I also featured the Children’s Choir of St. Barnabas on Caccini’s Ave Maria, which I wrote a children's choir part to accompany Caccini’s vocal line.  I think it’s a really unique twist to a traditional sacred classical piece, being that it is produced in a pop-style.  I am hoping that my friends and colleagues will purchase a copy of the album, and give me their feedback and support before the album is officially released and on iTunes. The album can be purchased on my website www.SHALYMA.com

 

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

Hartt's Honorary Degrees Given in the 2000s

Between 2003 and 2009, Hartt awarded 5 Honorary Degrees.  The recipients were: Wynton Marsalis; Oscar Ghiglia; William Anthony Waters; Henry W, “Hank” Jones; and Donald Sinta.



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2003 Wynton Marsalis

I don't think Mr. Marsalis needs an introduction.

Here is a link to Mr. Marsalis' website.


2004 Oscar Ghiglia

Oscar Ghiglia, an Italian classical guitarist, spent time in residence at Hartt.
  

 Additional information on Mr. Ghiglia can be found on his Wikipedia page.


2005 William Anthony Waters

Maestro Waters was a truly deserved recipient of the honorary degree from Hartt after his many years as a leader in the Connecticut arts community (which is not to say his music career and talents were limited to Connecticut, as he enjoys a career well-beyond the borders of the Nutmeg State).

Additional information about Maestro Waters can be found here.

5 Questions with Brad Danho

Bradford Danho, B.M. 2003, studied Music Education at Hartt from 1999-2003.  He is currently living in Baltimore, MD.

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

After graduating from Hartt in 2003, I began studies in the Jazz program at the University of North Texas.  While at UNT, I studied saxophone with retired professor of saxophone Jim Riggs and held a saxophone teaching assistantship.  I also played lead alto saxophone in the Grammy nominated One O'Clock Lab Band for two years.  

What are you involved with right now?

In 2008, I won a position in the Jazz Ambassadors of the United States Army Field Band from Washington, DC.  The Jazz Ambassadors are a 19 piece big band comprised of all active duty soldiers in the US Army.  We tour 100 days a year in the continental US. 

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

Hartt's Honorary Degrees Given in the 1980s

Prior to the 1980s, the honorary degrees Hartt awarded focused on professionals in the classical music arena and the benefactors without whose help Hartt would not have been possible.

The 1980s, however, had a different focus.  Jackie McLean started the Department of African American Music in 1980.  Some prominent jazz artists were awarded degrees and even some of the "classical" musicians were clearly within the sphere of the jazz world.  For example, David Amram is difficult to categorize as a classical composer, especially since he has well-known as a jazz french horn player, who appeared regularly with Dizzy Gillespie.  Even Yehudi Menuhin recorded some jazz collaborations.

Nevertheless, here is the next installment of the Hartt Honorary Degree Recipients.

1982 - John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie

Hartt Concert Jazz Ensemble Performance

Last night, the Hartt Concert Jazz Ensemble, directed by Professor Chris Casey, presented a great program.  The concert featured the music of Jackie McLean, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and others.  As a special treat, Hartt faulty members Shawnn Monteiro and Rene McLean were featured as soloists with the band.  In particular, Prof. Monteiro’s performance of “Here’s That Rainy Day,” was quite moving.  Millard auditorium was nearly full and the band sounded great under Prof. Casey’s leadership.  All the student soloists did a great job, and I want to point out that three of Prof. Nat Reeves’ bass students combined their talents in a pieced titled “Tricotism” that featured them trading solos that were quite impressive.  As an added bonus, the Hartt Community Division presented a musical “appetizer” of sorts before the band concert.  Ed Fast, Community Division percussion faculty member, lead a performance of the Community Division Latin Jazz Percussion Ensemble.  This group of middle and high school students performed with great enthusiasm and musicianship.  Another super night a Hartt!

Posted by Michael Menapace ('93)

Trustee