Music Faculty
Abby Bush
Voice
Abby has been studying voice for 25 years, and piano for 15. She graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor's degree in Music and Business, as a classically and stage-trained vocalist. She loves all sorts of music from all sorts of styles, including--but not limited to--country, classical, art songs, jazz, pop, broadway, and gospel. She also has the relatively unique experience of having had to re-learn how to sing as an adult due to some surgery complications, and because of that experience, Abby is an avid advocate for ensuring the safety and health of her students and their vocal instruments. In addition to various vocal styles, Abby is well-versed in various piano styles, including classical, pop, and liturgical. Her goal is to share her love of music and the power it holds with all her students, as well as to help give people a creative way to expand their worlds and share their voices.
Catherina Carrington
Vocal technique, Stage Craft
Catherina (Catya) Carrington is a soprano interested in stage craft, vocal technique, and the variety of skills needed for vocal performance, specifically in opera. As a graduate from the Cleveland Institute of Music (BM 2025) she is curious to find different ways to engage in opera, through performance, directing, stage management, and music theory. Her goal is connection not perfection, and she strives to perform and teach in a way that allows people to connect with the motivation behind all music: emotional expression.
Ryan Detwiler
Violin
Ryan received his bachelor’s in violin performance from Baldwin Wallace University and his master’s in string performance from the University of Akron. During his graduate studies, Ryan held the Graduate Teaching Assistantship for the string department with an emphasis on solo performance, as well as pedagogy for all ages. He served as Concertmaster in both the Baldwin Wallace Symphony and the University of Akron Symphony Orchestra.
Uniquely versatile, Ryan performs professionally in a wide array of genres—musical pit ensembles, formal events, and classic orchestras. A few northeastern Ohio musical venues include the Beck Center for the Arts, Western Reserve Playhouse, and Blank Canvas Theatre. Ryan has performed in master classes with Rachel Shapiro of the Aeolus Quartet, Ross Winter, Grace Park, Takako Masame, and Domenic Salerni among others.
Abigail Dyet
Violin & Music Theory
Abigail is a multi-instrumentalist performer and composer who enjoys playing everything from folk to classical to electronic music. Abigail teaches violin, music theory, composition, and electronic music. Abigail was a student of CIM’s preparatory school and suzuki program before earning her Bachelor of Music in Composition from Baldwin Wallace University. She earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Experimental Sound from California Institute of the Arts where she taught music theory and music history courses. Abigail has traveled all over the world for festivals and artist residencies including Alaska, New York City, and France.
For any inquiries pertaining to our music program, please contact Abigail at music@fairmountcenter.org.
Andrew Dyet
Piano, Trumpet & Music Theory
Andrew is a multi-instrumentalist performer and composer who specializes in piano, trumpet, music theory, and composition. Andrew plays everything from jazz and classical to experimental music. Andrew earned his Bachelor of Music in Composition from Baldwin Wallace University and his Masters of Fine Arts in Experimental Sound from California Institute of the Arts. Andrew has taught band, music theory, trumpet, and piano to young beginners all the way to undergraduates. Andrew often plays keyboard and guitar for local musical theaters including the Porthouse Theater.
Katalin La Favre
Percussion & Itty Bitty Music
A classically trained percussionist on a non-traditional path, Katalin La Favre throws her creative energy into developing captivating experiences. Interested in interdisciplinary and experimental work, she was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study with French percussionist Jean Geoffroy. Katalin remained in France for 9 years, collaborating with actors, dancers, and musicians for several programs which have been performed in France, Germany, Scotland and Portugal. These programs were vastly diverse, combining contemporary music, contemporary dance, poetry, narration, humor, and street theatre. Recently relocated to Ohio, she has developed several programs, including BACH’S MUSIC BOX, reimagining Bach’s Goldberg Variations for metallic percussion instruments, as well as promoting wellness through the arts with her sound nap programs. Katalin has a bachelors degree from the Colburn School, a masters degree and artist diploma from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Lyon, and a degree in instrumental pedagogy from the CEFEDEM Auvergne Rhone-Alpes.
Alex McGuire
Flute & Piano
Alexandra (Alex) McGuire holds a Bachelor of Music degree with a minor in Eurythmics from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Mary Kay Fink, in addition to holding a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Case Western Reserve University. She is continuing her studies with a Master of Music in Flute Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Additionally, Alex serves as a substitute flutist/piccoloist with the Canton Symphony Orchestra and the Mansfield Symphony. In March of 2022, Alex won the Woodwind Division of the Tuesday Musical Scholarship Competition. She has also performed as a soloist with the Jacksonville Symphony after winning their Young Artist Competition in 2016 and was featured as a soloist with the First Coast Wind Symphony after winning their Young Artist Competition in 2017.
David Novak
Music theory, guitar, bass, drums, & Songwriting
David Novak is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter, producer, and entertainer whose career in northeast Ohio spans over 25 years. David has been a member of the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) since 2005, and a member in good standing of the American Federation of Musicians, represented by AFM Local 4 and Music Talent of Cleveland since 2023. He’s been interviewed by Cleveland’s Legendary Plain Dealer Newspaper entertainment Critic Jane Scott, Performed in Hollywood California at the world renowned Viper Room, and worked with acclaimed producer Fran Ashcroft whose recorded in some of the world’s most legendary studios with iconic artists, including Abbey Road Studios and Damon Albarn (Blur).David maintained a successful teaching career in the mid 2000’s in Middlefield Ohio, and opened and operated an all ages music venue Club 87, which served as a proving ground for many artists who have gone on to become some of Cleveland’s most valuable musical artists. In addition to his solo career, David serves as a session musician for many of Cleveland’s best up and coming musical artists, and has performed at many Iconic Cleveland venues including Brother’s Lounge, House of Blues Foundation Room, and Alma Theater at Caine Park. In addition to his work in music, David also obtained a B.S. in Integrated Health Sciences and Human Services, and is founder and president of Musicians Care for Rare; a 501c3 that uses the musical arts to create awareness, advocacy, and scientific advancement for people living with rare syndromes.
Drew Parent
Percussion, Bass, Keyboard, and Saxophone
Drew is a multi-instrumentalist proficient on drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, and saxophone. His favorite styles of music to perform are funk, soul, jazz, blues, and fusion. Drew has taught all across the midwest in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio holding both university and public school teaching positions. His experience includes private lessons, chamber ensemble coaching, pit orchestra directing, concert band, orchestra, marching band, jazz band, music theory classes, music entrepreneurship and more! Drew earned a Bachelors in Music Education from Saginaw Valley State University and his Masters in Percussion Performance from Central Michigan University.
Donald Pelc
Guitar
Donald Pelc has been playing guitar for most of his life. Starting out with a love for the energy and power of rock music, Donald eventually grew into his own as a well rounded musician. Later in life, he decided to further his music education by attending Cleveland State University and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Performance. He also spent 10 years teaching guitar and bass, as well as directing shows at Cleveland’s School of Rock where he was once a student. His experience led him to performing all around town with a diverse range of local groups covering styles from rock, heavy metal, jazz, blues, funk, and everything in between. He
believes it is beneficial for all students to at least be aware of as many different styles of music as possible to fully experience what the guitar has to offer. Donald is passionate about teaching music theory and its application, improvisation, song structure, and (when appropriate) guitar maintenance.
Joseph Rangel
Piano, Guitar & Ukulele
Joseph has been playing guitar and was originally trained by his father, Rey, in classical guitar. He soon began to study pop and rock music, enjoying classic rock as well as other genres like Motown. In 2005, he began studying jazz. This love led him to Tri-C Metro studying jazz performance with a minor in piano. Joseph recently graduated from Cleveland State University and landed at Fairmount sharing his love for music. In addition to guitar, Joseph teaches ukulele and beginner piano students.
Christopher Venesile, PhD
Voice
Christopher Venesile, PhD, has taught vocal music to every level of singer in his career, from Kindergarten to graduate students and professionals. He started out as a high school choral director and church music director and transitioned to higher education after earning his PhD in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University. He was a long-time music education Professor at Kent State University Main Campus through 2021 and served as the Faculty Coordinator of the Master’s in Music in music education program until 2022. He founded and directed the Kent State Nova Jazz Singers in 2012, growing the program to two ensembles. In 2020, the Nova Jazz Singers were selected to perform at the 2020 Ohio Music Education Association State Professional Conference in Cincinnati. Dr. Venesile currently teaches voice and directs an ensemble at Tri-C Metro Campus and is the Director of Music at Parma-South Presbyterian Church.