Live Notes with Larissa

Ivan Akansiima is a Ugandan Jazz pianist, guitarist, composer, arranger,  music instructor and performer.

Michelle Pokley is a flutist and teacher based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex-area. She has given international solo and orchestral performances throughout North and South America, France and Germany. Michelle has won top prizes in many competitions including the Maverick Flute Soloist Competition, the Bowling Green State University Concerto Competition, the Douglas Wayland Chamber Music Competition, among others. Michelle holds performance degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and Bowling Green State University.  Her principal teachers include Linda Chesis, Dr. Conor Nelson, Jeffery Zook, Joel Tse, and Brandy Huddelson.

Kayla Green is a violinist and arts administrator pursuing a Master’s degree in violin performance at Michigan State University. She has actively sought a broad range of experiences during her musical studies, ranging from working as an instructor at the MSU Community Music School, member of the Development department of the Grand Rapids Symphony, orchestra librarian for the MSU Orchestras, and staff member for the Meadowmount School of Music and Philadelphia International Music Festival. Kayla is passionate about using her love for music to address social injustices, and founded a nonprofit in 2019 that puts on music events to raise awareness for human trafficking. Since transitioning online in response to COVID-19, her organization’s digital performances have reached over 18,000 people with eclectic music and information about human trafficking. Her favorite performances have included those in New York City’s National Opera Center and Barco Ducale in Italy.

Bassoonist and contrabassoonist Andrew Genemans joined the Grand Rapids Symphony in January 2018. A native of Akron, Ohio, he graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Master’s Degree in Music Performance as well as an Advanced Musical Studies Certificate. His undergraduate studies were at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music.  Andrew is an avid orchestral musician, performing with such renowned ensembles as The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Houston Symphony Orchestra among others. In 2012, Andrew performed with members of the Cleveland Orchestra in a live broadcast of Mozart’s Serenade No. 11.  Andrew is an active soloist on both bassoon and contrabassoon, most recently performing Vivaldi’s Concerto in E Minor for Bassoon and Orchestra with Resonance Works | Pittsburgh. In February 2014, Andrew performed the world premiere of Mark Fromm’s Lingua Cosmica for solo contrabassoon and chamber ensemble with the Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Music Ensemble under the direction of Daniel Curtis.  Andrew has spent the last three years as a prestigious Contrabassoon Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School, studying with Per Hannevold and Michael Sweeney. His primary bassoon teachers include Nancy Goeres, Jonathan Sherwin, and Renee Anthony Dee, plus contrabassoon studies with Jonathan Sherwin and Jim Rodgers.  In his spare time, Andrew enjoys reading, discovering new music and art, watching stand-up comedy, and writing poetry.

Amanda Ly is an Artificial Intelligence Architect living in Berlin, Germany. Ever since picking up piano and guitar at 16, she has been channeling her emotions and energy into writing honest, emotional songs in hopes of reaching others with her words and melodies. Her music is alternative pop with inspiration from Lorde, Alice Merton, James Bay, Passenger and Julia Michaels.  In 2015, Amanda spent two years in Nashville pursuing a career as a full time singer songwriter. But she defies the rules of the industry: instead of shooting for radio-friendly, her music seeks to change the world through lyrics of positive inspiration and social commentary. Her mission is to inspire and change the hearts of the world, one song at a time. Among the topics addressed in her songs are allowing passion and joy to lead one’s life despite adversity (“Set the World on Fire”) and the surprise of falling in love with someone unexpected (“Trashed My List”). Amanda draws from her life experiences and those of others to promote important messages. She is currently recording a new album to bring awareness and understanding to the stories of sexual assault victims.  www.soundcloud.com/AmandaLyMusic

Amy graduated from Grand Valley State University @gvsu with a degree in accounting. She currently works as the Operations Manager for a performing arts venue in Northern Michigan. In her position at the arts center, she coordinates artist logistics as well as assists with the day-to-day financial management. She loves how her job combines her passion for the performing arts with her accounting background. Amy also plays piano and enjoys reading and traveling.

Thomas Pike lives in Grandville, MI with his wife Kara, children Elaina and Miles, and 4 cats. He is the Repair Shop Administrator for Meyer Music, the Artistic Director of the Vintage Parlor Orchestra, and an Oil Painter in his spare time. Originally from Hudsonville, Thomas earned a degree in Communication from GVSU, while his studies of classical music and painting are largely self-taught.

Jordan VanHemert began his career teaching at Hope College @hopecollege @hopecollegemusic in 2019. At Hope, he teaches courses in saxophone and jazz studies. He holds a DMA from the University of Illinois, MM from the University of Michigan, and a BME from Central Michigan University. VanHemert is the curator of a new jazz series at the Holland Area Arts Council called Jazz at the Gallery. In addition to his duties at Hope, Jordan is the Music Director of the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in its 2nd year of operations. In addition to his own forthcoming album, Jordan was recently the Music Director for an album with saxophonist Derek Brown.

Rachael Ridge is a private music teacher and mom. She loves to workout, be outside, and read.

Josh is a Music Director, performer, and theater instructor from Grand Rapids. Credits include Frozen Jr., All Shook Up!, Freaky Friday, among others. He loves being on stage in any performance capacity, for it has allowed him freedom of expression and so much support and friendship from those in this community. IG: @joshkellermus