Our Teachers
Jonathan Traines- Director
Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Jon Traines began Playing violin at the age of 4 with his mother; a Suzuki violin teacher, trainer and director of the Wayne-Westland School district Suzuki program. He continued his studies with Morris Edley and Mel Kaulfman of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and in college at Wayne State with Mischa Mischakoff; Concertmaster of the NBC orchestra under Toscanini and the DSO under Paul Paray. Jon performed with the Interlochen Junior High and Senior High Orchestras, Detroit Symphony, as Concertmaster of the Westland Symphony Orchestra and at Carnegie Hall with his two boys who play violin and viola as well. Jon is Suzuki certified receiving training from Jeri Arnold, Wendy Azrac, Rebecca Sandrok (who studied with Dr. Suzuki) and Mark Mutter.
Jacob Traines- Assistant Director
Viola, Violin, Clarinet, Saxophone
Jacob Traines is a Graduate of Wayne State University with a major in Music Education and was a violist in the Wayne State University Orchestra. Jacob is currently the director of bands and orchestras at Univeristy Prep Academy High School in Detroit. He began playing violin at Suzuki Royal Oak when he was 5 years old. In fourth grade, he took up clarinet in the Ferndale Schools. By junior high school, he was playing saxophone in the jazz band and was also playing viola. Jacob consistently received Ones at MSBOA Solo and Ensemble. He currently has 37 blue ribbon medals!
Jacob was the clarinet section leader in the Ferndale High School Golden Eagle Marching Band. He is the violist in the Sherman String Quartet. He has participated in both MSBOA District 4 Honors Band on clarinet and AllState on viola. Jacob was eligible to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival on both clarinet AND viola.He toured Ireland and performed at Christchurch in Dublin. He has also performed at Carnegie Hall in New York with his brother and father. Jacob is also an Eagle Scout with Troop 1542.
Jacob hopes to become a high school orchestra director and inspire students the way his teachers have inspired him
David Traines
Violin, Viola, French Horn, Trumpet, Beginning Piano
David Traines is currently a Junior at Wayne State studying Theory and Composition. David plays Violin, Viola, Trumpet, French Horn, Baritone, Tuba, and Piano. He likes to teach all of them, including theory and ear training.
He started playing violin at Suzuki Royal Oak when he was 4 years old. David wanted to play percussion in 3rd grade but his dad (Jon Traines) said it would be too loud. So a trumpet was the next best thing! Just like his brother, Jacob Traines and woodwind instruments, he started to conquer the brass family. Being in ensembles such as SRO Camerata, All-State for 5 years on Viola and Violin, MSBOA District 4 honors band for 4 years on French Horn, and Michigan Youth Arts for 3 years on Viola. He marched mellophone for five years and was the Section Leader for the Ferndale Golden Eagle Marching Band. David also earned a perfect score on his Proficiency 2 Viola Solo at MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble. David has performed in many prestigious places such as Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, many churches in Estonia, and the Edsel Ford House here in Detroit. He is a professional pit musician and performed in such shows as Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mary Poppins, Once Upon a Mattress, and many others.
Along with his performances, he has composed many pieces. The Bel Canto Choral Society will be a performing the world premiere of his arrangement of “Evening of Roses” in June 2018. He arranged and composed many pieces for the Sherman String Quartet, of which he is a founding member. He has done many arrangements for the Ferndale High School choirs, orchestras and pit. David enjoys building computers and playing video games in his free time, and also achieved his Eagle Scout with Troop 1542.
David wants to do everything possible in music and works hard for those opportunities!
Jennifer Lentz
Flute
Jennifer Lentz has played flute for 10 years.
She is from the Dearborn area, graduated from Divine Child High School and went on to Wayne State University in Detroit majoring in Instrumental Music Education. She is the current director of bands at Hazel Park High school. She has played in the University’s Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and Wind Symphony, on both flute and piccolo, and studied flute, privately, with Laura Larson of the Michigan Opera Theater. She has also participated in flute choir in high school. Jennifer has worked with many students of varying ages all around Southeast Michigan.
Anthony Berardi
Trombone, Baritone
Anthony Berardi is currently a junior at Wayne State University, where he is studying Bass Trombone Performance and Music Education. Anthony began studying the trombone at age 6 with Mr. Matt Martinez, and has had several teachers since then, including Mr. Michael Steiger and Dr. Michael Robinson. Currently, Anthony studies with Mr. Gary Hellick.
As a performer, Anthony maintains an active role in music across the metroDetroit area, performing numerous times with the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra, Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of the Detroit Civic Orchestra for 6 years. He has also performed in many notable Detroit venues, such as Comerica Park, the Fox Theatre, Orchestra Hall, Cliff Bells, and the Detroit Athletic Club. Outside of the Detroit area, Anthony has toured internationally three times, performing in 7 European countries.
Anthony is also very active as a music educator. He has worked regularly with the Walled Lake Central band program, his alma mater, and is in his third year working with the L’anse Creuse Highschool-North band program, specifically with the marching band and Low Brass Choir, which he runs. Aside from these, Anthony has frequently collaborated with other scholastic music programs, and has taught privately for over 6 years.
Anthony is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Through NAfME, Anthony went to Washington D.C. during the summer of 2017 to meet with members of Congress to advocate for music education, and its importance in our schools. Anthony has also traveled to San Antonio for NAfME events. Anthony is committed to Music Education and its lifelong impact on student and teacher alike. Providing inspiration, support, knowledge, and life lessons to students through dedication, passion, friendliness and experience.
Christian Hanks
Cello
Christian Hanks has been playing cello for the last 8 years since he was in 4th grade. He was in the Ferndale High School Symphony Orchestra and is currently at Wayne State University. As a long time friend of the Traines family, he came under the tutelage of Mr. Jon Traines during his middle school days and has been studying with him ever since. He enjoys working on cars, watching movies, and making music in his spare time. He hopes to make it into the Wayne State University Orchestra next year when he starts his freshman year in college.