Rodin Akerman

Violin, Viola, Clarinet & Saxophone

Originally from Columbia, Rodin performed throughout his native country as a violinist as well as saxophonist and clarinetist before relocating to California at age 18. He attended universities in both Los Angeles and Puerto Rico studied privately with the two of the era's greatest violinists, Noumi Fischer and José Figueroa. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree, Mr. Akerman performed with a wide variety of orchestras in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas and started teaching privately in southern California before moving to the bay area in 1995. Since then, he has regularly performed as a violinist with Berkeley Opera, the San Francisco Symphonietta, Contra Costa Musical Theater, Livermore Opera, Diablo Light Opera and the Tassajara Symphony. Rodin has directed music programs in public schools in the eastbay teaching clarinet, saxophone, violin and viola. He brings a wealth of performing and teaching experience to the academy.

Lisa DiTiberio

Flute

Lisa DiTiberio, flutist, is an active performer and teacher who has just moved to California from the St. Louis area. There she performed with the St. Louis Symphony and was Principal Flute with the St. Louis Philharmonic. She also performed with such artists as Luciano Pavoratti, the Three Irish Tenors, and the Moody Blues. Ms. DiTiberio also performed throughout area churches and other venues with the Clayton Trio in St. Louis. She also served on the faculties of Lindenwood University, St. Charles Community College and University of Missouri St. Louis as well as maintaining a home studio.

Ms. DiTiberio received her Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University where she studied with renowned flutist and teacher Alexander Murray. She obtained her Masters Degree from Northwestern University under the tutelage of Walfrid Kujala. She has performed as a soloist for the Bach Festival of Kalamazoo College and for the Spring Festival at the Art Museum in St. Louis and has participated in master classes with Samuel Baron (Boston Wind Quintet) Jean Pierre Rampal (Paris Conservatoire), James Pellerite (formerly Indiana University), Peter Lloyd (London Symphony), and Walfrid Kujala (Chicago Symphony). Her teachers include Jacob Berg, St. Louis Symphony;, Mary Louise Poor, Chicago; Walfrid Kujala, Chicago Symphony; Ervin Monroe, Principal Flutist of the Detroit Symphony; Israel Bourochoff, Michigan State University; Alexander Murray, Michigan State University and former Principal Flutist of the London Symphony; and Charles Osborne, Western Michigan University.

Ms. DiTiberio has been active in the flute community, serving as President of the Flute Society of St. Louis and adjudicating for the National Flute Association convention.

Tony Boliva

Saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor)

Tony has been teaching and performing professionally for over thirty years. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force bands, and a graduate of the San Jose State University School of Music. Proficient in saxophone, clarinet, and flute, Tony is a highly sought after Bay Area live performer and recording artist. He is capable of performing and teaching many styles of music, including classical, jazz, rock, Latin, and R&B. He is currently teaching music and directing the bands at a private school in Fremont, and arranger and staff musician at Fremont Community Church. He also performs with the band Soul Review, as well as his own group The Tony Bolivar All-Stars. His style of teaching is personal and customized to the individual abilities, temperament, and musical direction of the student.

Andy Strain

Trumpet, Trombone and Horn

Andy has taught brass instruments to students in Germany, Mexico, and now the Bay Area. With more than ten years experience playing in European Orchestras, Jazz Ensembles, and now cutting edge Modern Music at Mills College Andy has the broad background necessary to teach beginner and advanced students alike. He has written and performed didactic concerts in English, German, and Spanish for children of all ages. As a graduate student at Mills, Andy is turning heads with his trombone, and is ready to help your student musician do the same.