Fall 2020 Music School

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Emma began playing the flute at the age of 5 when her mother enrolled her in a group flute class at the local community center. Over the past nearly 20 years of flute playing, she has had the opportunity to perform around the country and around the world in Australia, Germany, the Czech Republic, DR Congo, and the Philippines. 

In addition to performing in orchestras and other chamber ensembles, Emma enjoys helping students discover their own love of music. She believes music adds happiness and beauty to life.

Emma is a recent graduate of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance. Her love of music has led her to continue her studies as a graduate student of Dr. Tadeu Coelho at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Anna Cicero is a saxophonist and educator currently pursuing degrees in saxophone performance and music education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, studying under Dr. Steve Stusek. Prior to her studies in Greensboro, Anna studied with Dr. Mary Huntimer of Meredith College and Dr. Robert Young during her time at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. 

In addition to her studies, Anna also maintains a vibrant performance career that has brought her to England on two occasions. Notable performances of hers have included a concerto performance accompanied by string orchestra in Winchester, England and several quartet performances at St. James’s Piccadilly in London, including two contemporary works composed and performed by the group.

Anna tailors her instruction to the individual student- not a set curriculum. First and foremost, she believes in building a solid musical foundation both on the instrument and away from it, while also keeping lessons fun and engaging. These essential skills allow students to make the most of their lessons and create a base to build upon in band class and during private practice. 

Bruce Brewster is a third-year undergraduate music student at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He enjoys playing in the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Nutcracker Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Horn Ensemble, and the Cornichon Wind Quintet. He has been teaching horn at Separk Music since September 2016. His primary horn teacher is Dr. Maria Serkin, and his favorite performance so far was Beauty and The Beast with the Lexington Youth Theater.

Austin Martin is a Winston-Salem based classical and contemporary percussionist. Austin began studying percussion at the age of 11, and it’s been his driving force ever since. Only a year after learning his way around the basic three areas of study; timpani, snare drum, and mallet percussion, Austin was able to place in various local and out of state competitions. By the age of 14, he had already performed in every major state of the East Coast, from cities like Miami FL, all the way too Rochester, NY. After turning 16 he was accepted into the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he began studying with John R. Beck- a world renowned classical percussionist. After going through his high school arts conservatory training, he graduated the program in 2017 with a focus in Classical Percussion Performance. This same year he was accepted into Berklee School of Music, where artists like John Mayor, Charlie Puth, Quincy Jones, and Steve Vai earned their performance degrees. After a short period of deliberation he decided to stay at UNCSA, and is now in his sixth year of training at the conservatory, graduating in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Classical Percussion Performance. His other areas of work are in artistic fabrication, visual art, and sculpture.

Jose Olea Vico grew up in Winston Salem, N.C., and began playing the violin in 6th grade through the orchestra classes offered in middle school. After years of orchestra classes and self-instruction, he auditioned and was accepted into UNCSA’s High School program to study with Kevin Lawrence. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at East Carolina University, studying with Ara Gregorian and Hye-Jin Kim for a year of undergraduate study. In the fall of 2017 he transferred back to UNCSA to continue work on his Bachelor’s degree with Professor Lawrence, and Ulrich Eichenauer. In 2019 Jose attended the Richard Luby Violin Symposium at UNC Chapel Hill where he performed in a masterclass for Aaron Berofsky.

Blake Kitayama is a member of the de Sterke Quartet as part of the Chrysalis Chamber Music Institute. As an orchestral musician he has recorded for Navano Records and played in the Jackson Symphony and Huntsville Symphony. He first began teaching as an undergrad, working with young chamber groups, and recently participated in Suzuki training.

Blake earned a Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University under the instruction of Felix Wang and is currently pursuing his Master of Music degree at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with Brooks Whitehouse.  

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