DR. DAVID WALLACE
Dr. David Wallace is an internationally acclaimed violist, composer, educator, and improviser praised by The New York Times for solos that sound like “Jimmy Page fronting Led Zeppelin.” A longtime Juilliard professor and current chair of Berklee College of Music’s String Department, David performs across classical, folk, and world music styles while leading innovative audience engagement and music education initiatives around the world.
DR. CHUCK BONTRAGER
Dr. Chuck Bontrager is a groundbreaking multi-style string performer and the recipient of the first-ever doctorate in electric violin performance. A longtime MWROC faculty member and current concertmaster for the touring company of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Chuck combines classical mastery with rock, metal, theater, and cutting-edge string technology while teaching and advocating for the future of amplified strings.
MATT VANACORO
Matt Vanacoro is a dynamic pianist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans rock, jazz, film, television, and touring performance. A graduate of Manhattanville College and NYU’s Music Technology program, Matt has collaborated with artists including Jordan Rudess, Mark Rivera, and Aaron Carter, with music featured in film and television projects ranging from Oprah Winfrey’s show to Lionsgate films.