Presenting Artists
Austrian Ariane Cap is an electric bassist, educator, author, and blogger. Credits include Keith Olsen, Muriel Anderson, The Montclair Women’s Big Band, Generation Esmeralda, Cirque du Soleil and others. As a leader, Ariane has teamed up with star Jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson to create the critically acclaimed duo ‘OoN’. A new collaboration with Stu Hamm recently took her to Brazil. Ariane is an online teaching personality with a thriving blog and bass courses that draw a loyal following.
A bassist and bow restorer, Anna Huthmaker is the owner of Huthmaker Fine Violins in Suwanee, GA. Ms. Huthmaker is the founder of the Celebrating Women in Luther-An International Exhibit.
Brittany Frompovich is a highly regarded teacher, clinician, multi-instrumentalist, and musician who currently resides in the Northern Virginia region. Jazz luminary Gerald Veasley introduced her to bassist Jimmy Haslip as “a beautiful player on both electric bass and double bass.” Her clients describe her as a consummate professional. Her bandmates describe her playing as “highly creative”, “solid”, and “beautiful”. Her solo performances are unique, poignant, earthy, organic, and creative.
At 18, Laura joined her first rock band as a bassist purely out of necessity because no one else in the band wanted to play bass. Laura fell in love with the instrument since that moment on and has been driven to continuously learn and improve her skills. Laura's passion now consists of playing, writing, recording and sharing great music alongside talented musicians. In addition she continues to grow her skills and perform in other music projects such as the Palomar Symphony Orchestra.
Elinore Morris Double bass maker and restorer, Tollered, Sweden Owner at Elinore Morris Instrument Maker
Gwen Forrester Bass guitar maker and restorer, Liberty, Tenn Lutherix at Gwen Forrester/Dismal Ax
Anne Marie Runco Bass luthier at William Harris Lee, Chicago, IL
Hannah Mayne Bass maker and restorer, Albuquerque, NM Owner Mayne Basses
Double bass maker and repairer, Chicago, IL Owner Opus One, Inc
Called "a skilled instrumentalist and sensitive musician," by the New York Times, virtuoso double bassist Mark Bernat has appeared in major concert halls in the United States, Europe, Israel, and China. A native of Poland, Mr. Bernat trained at the High School of Performing Arts and the Juilliard School. Mr. Bernat has won acclaim as a major proponent of the double bass as a solo instrument.
Double bassist Nina Bernat is the first prize winner at the 2019 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition and first and grand prize winner of the 2022 Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition. Nina began studying under the instruction of her father and former member of the Israel Philharmonic, Mark Bernat.
Heather Hardin, Principal Bass of the Handel and Haydn Society, shares her insights on Baroque Bass and how it can fit in one's career. She covers pragmatic approaches to training and profitable ways to put that training to use!
Brianna Goldberg is a bow maker from Los Angeles, California. Brianna studied with master bow maker Lynn Hannings and also studied frog making, advanced bow repair, and bow making with master bow maker George Rubino. Brianna Goldberg is also a freelance double bassist in the Los Angeles area. She is a member of the Santa Barbara and Monterey Symphonies, and performs with several orchestras around LA, as well as in the film studios.
Ms. Hannings was granted both a Fulbright Scholarship and an Annette Kade Fellowship for the Advanced Study of the French School of Bowmaking in Paris, France with Bernard Millant. Lynn became a member of the Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art in 2000. In 2011, she received the International Society of Bassists Special Recognition Award for lutherie.
May Halyburton, highly acclaimed Scottish performer and educator, brings to life her multi-faceted career experience in the form of the delightful, “Bessy Bass!” This project began as a series of books with music for children up to the age of 12 called “Around the World with Bessy.” It is constantly developing and growing and now includes spin off shows, concerts, workshops and most recently, the Bessy & Benny School of Bass!
Lauren Hermas earned her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Cal State Northridge and a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Mount Saint Mary’s University. She is an Orthopedic Physical Therapist, a board Certified Orthopedic Specialist, and a Certified Manual Physical Therapist.
Jennifer is a musician’s musician who can play a variety of instruments from guitar and bass to flute, as well as sing and record. Jennifer has certification in audio engineering from Dallas Sound Lab and has multiple recording credits. Her bands have shared the stage with: KISS, Kid Rock, Cheap Trick, Pat Benatar, Paul Rodgers, Foghat, Jimmy Van Zant, Smashmouth, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Village People, and Jodi Watley to name a few.
Broadway bassist Mary Ann McSweeney covers the kind of skills you will need to be a doubler on Broadway which includes the navigating being a sub, how to learn a show and best practices for being a great doubler.
Is the current Local 325 Musician's union president (2nd female president in the history of the local 325 union) and is a free-lance cellist. She has appeared as principal cellist with orchestras for the Bolshoi Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, and performed with many west coast symphonies, chamber orchestras and quartets.
Long time San Diego opera and symphony bassist, union member since 1968. She received a Fellowship at Berkshire Music Center, Tanglewood, in 1970, and she was a member of Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra 1968-71. From 1971-73 she was a member of the San Antonio Symphony, and she was also in the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra from 1971 to 1972.