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Strings & Vocals
Kathy Ratka
email: Kathy Ratka |
Picture to Follow |
Kathryn Ratka teaches violin, viola
and voice to students of all ages and levels. After immersing herself
in music at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, she received a
Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia. As a
violinist, she has played in many professional and community ensembles.
A few highlights are the Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra, the
Artpark pit orchestra, and the New York/Pennsylvania tour of The Irish
Tenors. As a singer, she has been a featured soloist at the NYSSMA
Conference All-State Choral Festival and has sung with numerous choirs
in a variety of styles, ranging from madrigals and motets to Broadway
and jazz. When she isn't making music, Kathy enjoys cake decorating and
babysitting an emormous rabbit named Trey. |
Clarinet, All Levels
Flute & Saxophone
through Intermediate
Tania Raybuck
email: Tania Raybuck |
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Tania Raybuck is a recent graduate of
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania where she earned a Bachelor’s
degree in music education. She began studying the clarinet in 4th grade
and eventually added the flute and saxophone to her repertoire. As a
student of Williamsville North high school, Tania participated in
annual NYSSMA solo festivals, All-County, Area All-State, and was a
member of the Wind Ensemble. In college, she participated in a wide
variety of solo, chamber, and large ensemble groups including:
Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Quartet, and
Pennsylvania Annual Intercollegiate Band. Tania is currently planning
to stay in the area and teach music. She is also an avid horse rider. |
Guitar/Acoustic
Joe Childs
email: Joe Childs
website: JoeChilds.NET |
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Joe Childs is a professional musician
that has made his start as many musicians do, in a talented yet under
exposed garage band. By maintaining the highest level of dedication to
his art form, Joe has grown from garage band Guitarist to an
accomplished Songwriter, Recording artist, Guitar Instructor, and
Producer.
While attending the State University of New York at
Buffalo Joe studied classical music under world renowned classical
guitarist Joanne Castellani and is current taking instructions under
Frank Gerard a well known jazz player in Western NY.
At the
beginning of 2004 Joe was the inspiration and one of the founding
members of JCM Entertainment's TRUE MUSIC NETWORK, a website dedicated
to exposing and promoting independant bands. The TRUE MUSIC NETWORK
features full song mp3 files from Western New york bands, Contact
information, show dates for each band and links to their homepages.
Joe
is also the host of an open jam on Tuesday nights at Broadway Joe’s.
Broadway Joe’s is one of Buffalos most established music venues’ and
has been a landmark for touring bands for over a decade.
Childs
has turned what many consider a hobby into a sucessfull professional
career. He is the director of the guitar program at Sacred Heart
Academy, a private high school in Buffalo, NY. |
Piano/Sax/Clarinet
Trumpet/Trombone
Michael Sydor
email: Michael Sydor |
Picture to Follow |
Michael Sydor began playing the piano
at the age of three and has spent his life pursuing music. While
learning the piano, he began playing the saxophone in elementary
school, and went on to play the clarinet, trombone, and trumpet.
Throughout his schooling, Michael played in numerous bands, wind
ensembles, orchestras, and jazz combos, in addition to singing baritone
and bass in various choirs. He also played in an established, original
band that played venues throughout Long Island and Manhattan.
Michael
went on to college to pursue a degree in Music Education. While
attending C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, he earned many
distinctions for piano performance, piano studies, and theory studies.
At graduation, where he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music
Education, Summa Cum Laude, Michael had the distinction of representing
the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.
Following
graduation, Michael began teaching middle music for the Malverne School
District in Nassau County. He taught a 7th and 8th grade band, a 5th
and 6th grade chorus, and general music for 7th and 8th graders. After
two years, Michael got married to his beautiful wife and moved here to
Buffalo. He plans to teach in the area schools, pursue a Master’s
Degree in Music at the University of Buffalo, and help any aspiring
musicians succeed at what they do. |
Guitar/Bass
Eric Hankinson
email: Eric Hankinson |
Picture to Follow |
Bio to Follow |
Guitar/Acoustic
Bass
Classical/Folk/Pop
Peter Zalocha
email: Peter Zalocha |
Picture to Follow |
Peter Zalocha has been a student of
the guitar ever since he was six years old, and has been seen in a
variety of performances since he was sixteen. As a native of Buffalo,
he studied guitar privately throughout his youth. His focus at this
time was electric guitar and he embraced the music of the progressive
rock and fusion groups. In 1996 he traveled overseas to spend a year in
London, England where he attended the Thames Valley University and
received his introduction to the classical guitar. When he returned to
the States, he settled in Colorado to study under Charles Wolzien, head
of the guitar department and dean of undergraduates at the University
at Boulder.
It was in Boulder where he made his debut as a
classical guitarist. He has performed as a soloist and in ensembles
throughout the states of Colorado and New York. He taught guitar at the
university for three years teaching classical as well as other styles,
and received his Bachelor in Music Performance in May of 2003.
Peter
moved back to Buffalo in 2004, and is currently a Masters of Music
candidate at the University of Buffalo. He is studying under Joanne
Castellani of the Castellani - Andriaccio Guitar Duo.
Peter
looks forward to his life back at home, and is excited about the wealth
of musical activity in Buffalo. Currently, he is open for instruction
specializing in classical guitar performance techniques. Lessons are
held under the philosophy that no body is at the wrong age to learn,
and with the right level of passion and commitment, anything can be
achieved. |
Guitar/Acoustic
Bass/Drums
Gregory Skulicz
email: Gregory Skulicz
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I have been performing on the guitar
for the greater part of my life. My performance experiences range from
classical environments, to the theatre, to main stages, and bar rooms
alike. I understand that good music is best without the restrictions of
genre or style. I mix the best elements of guitar technique from
yesterday and today. This allows me to teach students with varying
interests. Rock, baroque, classical, jazz, Carnatic, heavy metal,
polka…whatever.
I have studied with a variety of teachers at a
variety of schools and colleges. Dr. Ken Meyer, Dr. Nathan Fischer,
Mike Moser, Mir Ali, Joanne Castellani, are a few that helped me become
what I am today.
My personal interests include music composition
and the theory of how music is heard and understood over time. Aside
from guitar technique I also teach the drum set and bass guitar. I am
also interested in obtaining students that wish to study composition.
Beginners are welcome at any age. I am also available for college preparation, and help passing entrance auditions. |
Keyboards
Jimmy Wozniak
aka; Dr Sweet Daddy J
aka; The Flyin' W
email: Jimmy Wozniak
website: Bitter Sweet Rose |
Picture to Follow |
Bio to Follow |
Percussion
Nicholas Plant
email:Nick Plant
website: Nicholas Drums
band: 'Vertigo' |
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My name is Nicholas Plant and I am a
twenty four year-old resident of Depew, NY. I have been a musician
since the age of nine when I began playing trumpet for the Northwood
Elementary school band. I began playing drums when I was thirteen years
old and took three years of lessons with professional musician Greg
Edwin at Edwin’s Music Store. He had a tremendous impact on my playing
style and helped me earn a great appreciation for the fundamentals and
dynamics of rock drumming. I then began joining local rock bands and
gigging around the Western New York area as I entered high school. |
Email CROSSROADS MUSIC CENTER or CALL 716 632-3555 to start, continue or renew your musical education!!!
Student Lesson Policy 2004
Starting
February 1, 2004, lessons at Crossroads Music Center will be $15.00 per
1/2 hour of instruction, plus the cost of any required instructional
material. You could have up to 5 lessons in one month. Payment is due
to the teacher at the last lesson of the month and will reserve your
time slot for the following month.
Most teachers do not have
time for make-up lessons, so any lessons cancelled by the students are
lost, unless otherwise stated by the instructor. Since most teachers
are band/orchestra directors and/or performing musicians, they too will
miss some lessons. If any teachers miss a lesson, it is at their
discretion to make it up or prorate the tuition.
Please do
not assume that the store is closed, or a teacher will not teach
because of a school holiday. It is your responsibility to be at your
lesson or to verify with us or your teacher about any possible
absences. Also there will be no prorating of the tuition for school
holidays.
Crossroads Music Center and its teaching staff are
dedicated to providing the best instruction possible for our students
and families, and will always work with you when circumstances arise.
If
you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk with your
teacher or the desk staff. Single or group lessons can be arranged.
- Crossroads Music Center
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Crossroads Music Center
6810 Main Street
Unit 101
Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone: 1-716-632-3555
Store Map |
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