The 14th Annual Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Music Festival!
Empowering musicians of all ages to think and act creatively in today’s world.
GREG BYERS
Greg Byers, M.M., uses his talents as a performer, composer, educator, and producer to share the joy of music with a diverse range of audiences. His relationship with music began at 2 1/2, when he first studied cello in the Suzuki method. In 2008 Greg became the first person in the history of University of Miami to graduate Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Instrumental Performance/Studio Music & Jazz on cello and bass. Since then, he has performed on BBC Two (Later… with Jools Holland) and Univision (Latin GRAMMYs); he has also been a featured artist/clinician at New Directions Cello Festival, Creative Strings Workshop, and Mark Wood’s Rock Orchestra Camp. The winner of the International Journalists Award at the 2020 Seifert International Jazz Violin Competition, Greg was named a Global Music Initiative Artist-in-Residence at MacPhail Center for Music in 2021 & 2022. He is also the recipient of numerous grants, including the 2017 Artist Initiative Grant, the 2020 Next Step Fund and 2022 Creative Support for Individuals. As a performer, Greg astonishes audiences with his technical prowess and improvisation freedom. Hefty recording experience coupled with perfect pitch allows Greg to work fluidly with any composer or producer. As a composer, he strives for emotive melodies and harmonies that challenge the stereotypes of Western popular music. As a producer, Greg endeavors to tell the stories embedded in every piece of music with clarity and precision. Greg has trained his music engineering skills while embracing the vibrant sonic palette only available in the mixing process. As an educator, Greg is passionate about helping students avoid the pitfalls of traditional music instruction, with the student truncated from any sort of creativity or expression. Rather, Greg works to bring out the creative potential residing in every student by integrating improvisation, theory, and ear training into his pedagogy.
BROOKE ALFORD
Brooke Alford, The Artist of the Violin, is one of today’s stand-out contemporary jazz and crossover violinists. This Aberdeen, North Carolina native who calls Atlanta, GA home is blazing the airwaves with her 2021 Smooth Jazz single release “SHINE” and her latest 2022 single “New Day”. Both songs will be featured on her highly anticipated 5th CD. An R&B/Soul Jazz Charting Artist, Smooth Jazz Network 2022 Breakout Artist Nominee, Recording Academy Voting Member, and 2022 Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Listee, Brooke Alford, The Artist of the Violin is an artist who consistently strives for excellence all-round. Since the start of her professional career in 2007, Brooke has independently released 1 LP and 2 EPs under her company and label, Alford Enterprises & Entertainment Group, LLC. Her second CD, “The Viosocalist” EP was produced and released under The Platinum Crown Music Independent label. Brooke’s official national radio debut occurred in 2018 with her Smooth Jazz single, “Closer” featuring award-winning International Recording Artist Bob Baldwin. Brooke’s body of work encompasses a fresh and creative blend of Smooth Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Western European Classical, and more. Opening for some of the best musical artists and entertainers in the industry has catapulted Brooke’s career to outstanding heights thus far. These notable artists and entertainers include The Whispers, Mint Condition, Peabo Bryson, Najee, Will Downing, Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor, Marcus Johnson, India.Arie, Tony, Toni, Tone`, and the late iconic Comedians Paul Mooney and Dick Gregory. She has also recorded with Saxophonist Marcus Anderson and Chante Cann, and has shared the stage with Julian Vaughn, Alex Bugnon, and several others in the Contemporary Jazz arena.
