Hubbard Music - Hubbard, OH

Hubbard Teachers

Kathy Hassay – Piano and Voice

Kathy received a Bachelor of Music degree from Youngstown State University at the Dana School of Music, where she majored in Music Education and Piano and minored in Voice and Organ. She is an alumni of Sigma Alpha Iota, an honors music sorority.

Kathy taught music at Campbell Schools for many years before retiring. In addition to teaching, she is a member of “Christ the Good Shepherd Parish” choir, former organist at St. Elizabeth Parish, former organist and vocalist in the bands Kaleidoscope, Ice-n-Spice, and Adam TISHOV Orchestra.

In her spare time, Kathy enjoys gardening, animals, arts & crafts and nature.

Ralph Rich – Percussion

Ralph Rich began playing drums around age 4 on his father's drum set. In 1995, he enrolled in drum lessons at Hubbard Music and continued his studies through high school.

Ralph has been teaching at Hubbard Music since 2008. Ralph also co-heads the Rock Band program. In addition to the drums, Ralph plays guitar and piano. He currently drums for Demos Papadimos in his folk-rock band. When he's not drumming or teaching, Ralph works at The Purple Cat in Youngstown.

Jay Hinrichs –  Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Banjo

Jay Hinrichs has been playing guitar since he was 10 years old. He loves to study all kinds of music and is well versed in rock, blues, classical, jazz, country and metal. Jay played lead guitar in the country group The Robbie Jay Band and currently plays in the Hard Luck Kings, a local blues band. Jay has done studio session work for Ralph Rich, Chrissie McCree, and Katy Ann Timko.

Jay has been teaching at Hubbard Music since 2011. He also co-heads the Rock Band program. In addition to teaching, Jay is also Hubbard Music's full time guitar and string luthier. In his spare time, Jay spends time with his wife Annette and his son Vaughn, who is his best student.  

John Rongo – Guitar

John Rongo has been teaching guitar at Hubbard Music since 1990. John began playing professionally while still in high school with a Motown based band called The Sounds of Soul, which went on to win several battle of the bands competitions. He did a short stint with the Youngstown-based band The Wispers. However, John is perhaps most notably known for his role in the successful 70's band Menagerie, a band that had a recording contract with Big Men Records, a night club, and a clothing store. The 80s were just as successful with bands Savannah, and The Works. John currently plays in the local cover band The Sensations every weekend. Aside from teaching and playing, John loves drinking coffee from his kitty cat mug.

Bobbi Hall – Brass

Bobbi Hall is a 2002 graduate of the Dana School of Music at YSU. She holds a BA in Music Education has been teaching privately for 22 years.

As the mom of two wonderful kids, Bobbi no longer has time for hobbies. She works as a substitute teacher and plays solo in church and for weddings.

Mike Oleksa – Woodwinds

Mike Oleksa studied at the Navy School of Music and YSU's Dana School of Music. He spent 7 years on the road with a show band and toured Europe with the USO. Freelance work has included Maureen McGovern, John Davidson, Kingston Trio, Tommy Tune, Crecuts (“Earth Angel”), Chordettes (“Mr. Sandman”), The Four Preps, Lawrence Welk Singers, jazz singer Nancy Wilson, Al Martino, Deana Martin (the daughter of Dean Martin), Art Mooney (“I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover”), and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.

Locally, Mike is a regular member of Easy Street Porduction, Don Burns Big Band, Nostalgia and record with Youngstown's original rock group The Sharkbites, whose recordings were played on local stations, college radio and England's BBC. Thirty years of teaching experience helps many of Mike's students win “first chair” in school bands and top honors in state contests. Mike Oleksa has been teaching at Hubbard Music since it's opening in 1990. 

Traci Hines – Brass

 

Eastwood Teachers

Zach Connolly – Percussion

Zachary Connolly is currently pursuing a degree in Jazz Studies with an emphasis on drum set performance at the Dana School of Music at YSU. During his time at YSU, Zach has participated in the Jazz Ensemble 3, Jazz Ensemble 1, Contemporary Ensemble, Dana Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Frank Zappa Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble. Outside of that, Zachary participates in student groups such as the Youngstown Jazz Collective and Youngstown Percussion Collective. As a passionate student, Zach is also a passionate educator teaching private lessons to young students interested in learning the craft of music and percussion. Zachary is also the current recipient of the Robert Bulkley Memorial Scholarship for Jazz Drummers, which helps him pursue his musical and academic desires while studying at the Dana School of Music. Outside of school, Zachary plays many freelance gigs around the area spanning jazz and classical to rock and pop music.

Bobby Fritz - Guitar, Bass, Voice

 Bobby Fritz is a singer/songwriter/guitarist with over 30 years experience playing in and around the Mahoning Valley, and also around the country. Bobby teaches all styles, specializing in rock, metal and shred styles. He has opened for acts like Saliva, Blue Oyster Cult, and Buckcherry to name a few!  

Amanda Nottingham - Voice

Amanda Nottingham is a senior vocal music education major at Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music. Singing is her passion. She was born and raised in Warren Ohio and went to LaBrae High School. Amanda has been taking voice lessons since she was nine years old. She has studied with Bill Crank, Jennifer Mosher, and Dr. Alan Mosher. Amanda is an active member of her church, The Leavittsburg Church of God. She is a volunteer youth leader and works with students in grades seven to twelve and loves working with youth and younger kids. Amanda leads the youth worship service every Wednesday night and sings at the Sunday morning worship services. In the future Amanda wants to become an elementary or high school music teacher.

“Singing takes me to a magical place I’ve never been to. Whether you sing professionally or just sing for fun, singing is happiness!”

Scott Lowry - Guitar

John Stumpff - Woodwinds

Bo Violette - Brass & Piano

Mike Oleksa - Woodwinds