Carolyn Dufraine is a Brass Teaching Artist originally from Westfield, Massachusetts, specializing in trombone performance. She received her BM in trombone from Westfield State University in 2018, under the private instruction of Mr. Timothy Atherton. She then earned her MM in Trombone Performance at UMass Amherst in 2022, under the tutelage of Mr. Gregory Spirodopoulos.

Carolyn has been a freelance musician since 2012, hired to perform in various college ensembles and bands in the Western region of Massachusetts. Some of these ensembles include the Amherst College Jazz Ensemble, the Mount Holyoke Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, the Westfield State Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble, The UMass Chapel Jazz Ensemble, as well as The Leafies You Gave Me, Shokozoba, The Feldons, The Valley Moonstompers, The Soul Magnets, Rock Steady, The Berkshire Ska Orchestra, The Preservation Mob Band, Gunhild Carling (of Postmodern Jukebox) and Glori Wilder. She also regularly sings and plays trombone in The Lucky 5.

In 2022, the Berkshire Jazz Organization commissioned her to write an original composition for small jazz ensemble at the 10×10 Jazz Showcase.

In addition to her Sonido Musica teaching assignments in Springfield and Holyoke, she travels around Western Mass teaching private lessons on trombone, trumpet and euphonium. It brings her great joy to share the musical knowledge she has gained throughout the years, and she strives to create a safe and engaging environment for students to learn and make music in.

Alisha Lopez-Marrero is a trumpet player/teacher and music enthusiast. She has had the privilege of playing the trumpet since she was twelve years old. Ever since she first picked up the trumpet she has had the opportunity to play alongside other students from Western Mass in orchestras, concert bands and even played at the 2014 and 2015 Macy’s parade. She also has played in a Jazz band throughout high school.

Alisha received her BA in Music from UMass Amherst; there she was able to expand her knowledge in music. At the university she played in the Symphony Band and the Chapel Jazz Ensemble. Having graduated in 2020, Alisha teaches trumpet in CMSS’ Sonido Musica program and in private lessons.

Kyle La Fleur is a University of Massachusetts: Amherst graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance. His notable teachers include Elaine Saloio and Cobus du Toit. He is a performing member of the Tuesday Morning Music Club in Springfield and a frequent guest artist with the vocal duo, Bella Voce. He loves to perform just as much as he loves to teach. Kyle is a knowledge seeker and a perfectionist which is the foundation of his ever-growing skillset. His favorite part about teaching is the amount of things he learns from his students, regardless of the student’s level, that shape him into a better musician. Kyle eagerly joined Sonido Musica in 2022.

Care O’Leary is a teaching artist in CMSS’ Sonido Musica program. Care is a Hampden county musician who’s been playing violin for over 20 years, After studying music and graduating from Holyoke Community College, they picked up viola and cello as well. While they were classically trained and have played in numerous orchestras and chamber music ensembles over the years, they’ve also branched out into more contemporary music- from folk to avant garde rock to free improvisation. They play in multiple outfits in western MA, and they love to perform, tour and record with their bandmates.

Alton Skinner is a Teaching Artist in CMSS’ Sonido Musica program. He is a professional saxophonist, musician, and Springfield native who discovered his passion for music at the Springfield High School of Science and Technology. After receiving an education in Music at Holyoke Community College, Alton has gone on to share the stage with musicians such as Robert ‘Sput’ Searight, Doobie Powell, The Delfonics, and Michelle Brooks-Thompson.

Specializing in Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rnb/Soul, Funk, and Fusion genres, Alton’s passion for the art of music has led to many performances and collaborations all over the East Coast. His influences include Stevie Wonder, Michael Brecker, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, and Dexter Gordon.

Courtney Castañeda is an active teacher and performer. She is the former Orchestra Director at the University of Texas Elementary School where she taught for eight years, and is the former Assistant Director of the UT Austin String Project. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in both cello performance and psychology from the University of California, Davis and a Master of Music degree in cello performance from Sacramento State University where she was a teacher in the Sacramento State String Project.

She completed her Master of Music degree in Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas, Austin, and she also earned her K-12 teaching certification. A native Texan, Courtney began playing violin and cello thanks to her public elementary school in Houston, and she is a strong supporter of public school music education. She taught privately for seven years in northern California, coached chamber music for the Sacramento Youth Symphony’s Summer Chamber Music Workshop, and played in music festivals in Paris and Eisenstadt.  Courtney was the Operations Manager for the Sacramento School of Music, and served as the Business Administrator for the Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas for two years.

She received her Suzuki Cello Teacher Training (books 1-6) from Dr. Tanya Carey, and her Suzuki in the Schools training from Dr. Laurie Scott. Courtney plays cello in the Austin-based indie-folk band, American Dreamer, and with acclaimed singer/songwriter Ray Prim.

Jesey Meche is a Percussion and Music Production Teaching Artist in CMSS’ Sonido Musica program. Jesey is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music. He studied classical percussion with Benjamin Toth and composition with David MacBride. Jesey is constantly looking to push boundaries and create music that intersects traditions and practices.

Sammi Shea is a Teaching Artist in CMSS’ Sonido Musica Program. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she studied clarinet with Romie de Guise-Langlois. During her years as a musician, she has traveled to play in the 2018 edition of the Tournament of Roses parade, and at the Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown, PA. Her teaching career began in 2017 with private clarinet lessons, and she most recently was a music teacher in the Springfield Public Schools.

As an educator and musician, Sammi believes that music needs to be accessible for everyone, because no matter who you are, everyone likes music in some capacity. She believes that, even if you can’t play an instrument in a band or sing in a choir, you can experience music and keep it as an integral part of your life.