Deep Blue C Studio Orchestra
Musician Biographies
Vocals - Lisa Mills-Casey
Lisa was pushed onto a church stage at the age of 3 and hasn't stopped singing since. Starting in 1992, Lisa has sung with the
acapella group, Women of Note and since then has toured & recorded with internationally acclaimed recording artist/composer, Tim Janis, and has even sung at the White House. When not performing with the DBCSO, you may find Lisa at many local venues sharing her talent.
Vocals - Nichole Raftopoulos
Nichole has been singing at various venues around New England for the last 30 years. She has become known for her mean rendition of the National Anthem and can be heard at various patriotic events. Her background from her younger years consists of extensive training in flute performance and she is excited to be singing and occasionally playing flute for the Deep Blue C!
Vocals – Lloyd Owens
After spending years with the popular function band, Hush, Lloyd is ecstatic about singing with the Deep Blue “C” Studio Orchestra.
Keyboards/Vocals - Christine Petrucci
Christine has a Master of Music Education Degree from UMass Lowell, Piano Major and is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Piano. She has been a professional accompanist for soloists, dance companies, choral groups, church organizations, and theatrical groups in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She taught General Music Classes, Music Theory and conducted a boy’s Jr. High School Chorus in the Chelmsford, MA public schools.
In 2001, Christine founded Seacoast Academy of Music in North Hampton, NH. She is currently Director of School and duties include organizing community concerts, teacher conferences and adjudicating student performances. She teaches performance workshops, master classes, music theory and private piano to students ages 8 – 80+! Christine loves her role as keyboardist and singer with DBCSO.
Trombone – Katie Schraeder
A graduate of the Hartt School, Katie performs both as a soloist and as an ensemble member with groups across various styles, including chamber groups, orchestras, big bands, and pit orchestras. She also enjoys teaching private brass lessons to students of all ages.
Trumpet/Flugelhorn – Richie Price
A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a Degree in Professional Music. Winner of the first Maynard Ferguson Scholarship. Lead trumpet with Lionel Hampton Orchestra and Count Basie Orchestra. Performed at White House, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall and in Paris, Japan, Austria.
Sax/Reeds - Mike Pellicchia
Mike has a masters degree in clarinet performance, with many years experience on single reed wind instruments. He composed a work for solo clarinet called "Kaleenka Suite" and performances of his songs are stored on most major streaming servers. His CD "Boston Nashville" features Mike as singer/songwriter. He's also played with local and touring bands, and has another album "in the can" still unreleased. He enjoys the DBC for the great audience response it gets everywhere.
Trumpet/Flugelhorn - Bernie Taylor
Bernie is an alum of the U. S. Navy music program where he attended the Navy Music School then performed in bands serving the Pacific Fleet and the Pacific north west. He has performances with symphony orchestras, brass quintets, as soloist, Big Band Jazz and now The Deep Blue C Studio Orchestra!
Trumpet/Flugelhorn - Kenneth Warren
Ken was the former Director of Music for Marblehead public schools. He still performs with symphony orchestras, concert bands, jazz bands and around New England. He has also performed at the esplanade in Boston and has performed with well known artists such as Clark Terry and Aretha Franklin.
Guitar - Jake Smith
Jake holds a BM from the world-renowned Berklee College of Music. He teaches and performs extensively throughout New England.
Bass - Steve Aitchinson
Steve holds a BM and an MA from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is a professional bassist who performs all over New England and teaches privately. When he's not playing with the DBC Steve spends his time playing with his band Nova Light.
Violin - Margaret Bruziak Hopkins
Margaret teaches at the Portland Conservatory of Music. She extensively performs throughout New England area with Lakes Region Symphony as concertmaster, PORT Opera, Portland Ballet, NH Music Festival and various other organizations. Margaret truly enjoys performing with DBCSO!
Violin – Wendy Jensen
Wendy has performed with numerous community and professional orchestral and musical productions, including the Keene State Orchestra, the Connecticut River Valley Orchestra, the Wizard of Oz, Oliver, the Phantom of the Opera, and many others."
Violin – Kim Strand
Kim Strand graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music from University of Wyoming. She’s performed in various Symphonies and Chamber Groups in 11 states. Kim has also had the privilege of playing with some well known artists, including Ray Price, Dionne Warwick, and Willy Nelson. She is thrilled to be playing with The Deep Blue C Studio Orchestra in her new home in New England.
Cello – Anne Wilkinson
Anne holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Western Michigan University and a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine. She has been a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and the Warren Chamber Orchestra. She teaches in the Saco and Dayton Schools. Anne is part-time faculty member at the University of Southern Maine. She is a frequent guest conductor for regional music festivals and adjudicator for the All-State Music Festival. Anne is the director of the Southern Maine String Camp. She is delighted to be playing in the Deep Blue C Studio Orchestra.
Drums - Shawn Boissonneault
Shawn started playing drums at the age of 2 solely inspired from his father, who is a drummer. He got an early start at performing, as he played weekly for his church starting at the age of 10. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2003, Shawn has been working throughout the northeastern United States as an accomplished drummer, studio musician, and percussionist, playing all styles of music from rock, funk, jazz, blues, afro-cuban, to reggae, and everything in between.
Shawn has also established himself as a sought-after private instructor and clinician for promising students, teaching classes in several local school districts. He has also added a new avenue to his services by teaching private lessons online to all over the world.
Percussionist - Will Bounas
Will holds a BM from Berklee College of Music. With the Deep Blue “C” he plays everything from mallet keyboards to Latin-American instruments.
Keyboards/Synthesizer - Kelly Cresitello-Dittmar
Kelly holds a BA from Dickinson College, a Masters from Rivier College, and Orff Certification levels I and II. She is currently completing her 10th year as Music Director at Cornerstone School in Stratham, NH.
Arranger - Terry White
Terry is a nationally recognized published arranger. He has written for the Portland Symphony Orchestra and numerous concert bands and jazz bands.
Arranger - Austin Leshock
Austin Leshock is a composer, arranger, and producer from Wilmington, Delaware currently based in Boston, MA. From a young age, he enjoyed playing in concert and jazz bands on saxophone, but his passion for music took off when he discovered the art of composition and arranging in his teenage years. He is currently completing his final year of studies at the world renowned Berklee College of Music, earning degrees in Film Scoring and Music Production.
Arranger/Conductor – David "Doc" Vose
Doc Vose is a former award winning arranger for Columbia Pictures Publications. He has led ensembles in a variety of styles for many years and has produced numerous recordings including with Grammy Award winner, Fred Lipsius. He is also an artist/clinician for the Yamaha Corporation of America, is in the Massachusetts Educators Hall of Fame and the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. Doc is a recently retired Professor from Berklee College of Music.