CELLO, VIOLIN, VIOLA

DENNA PURDIE, Chairperson of the String Faculty

DENNA PURDIE, Cello-has been teaching cello, violin and violin at the Ottley Music School since 2000 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her students, beginners, intermediate and advanced.  She has been also teaching at Fillmore Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C. since 1999. She has taught for the D.C.Youth Orchestra Program for many years.Besides teaching at OMS, she is the technical advisor for the string section of the Hyattsville Orchestra. Her Photo courtesy of Ms. Purdie. Other photos courtesy of Ms.Ottley.

Ms. Purdie studied cello with Ronald Feldman of the Boston Symphony, and Sieva Lezhnev.She was the first black female to join the U.S. Marine Band, "The President's Own", playing cello, and retiring as Gunnery Sergeant.Ms. Purdie is co-founder of "Strings for Christ Ministries".  She performs regularly throughout the greater Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area and also as a member of the Soulful Symphony conducted by Darin Atwater. She instills in her students a love for both music and the instruments. She makes opportunities for her students to play in the monthly rectals and outside.  Most recently, her students appeared with her in a chamber ensemble for the National Cancer Society (Washington, DC chapter's) 2008 Survivor's Celebration, playing prelude, processional, and recessional. 

Violin and Viola

CLEVELAND A. CHANDLER, JR.

CLEVELAND A. CHANDLER, JR., Violin, Viola-Master Sergeant Cleveland a. Chandler, Jr., has served as violinist in The United States Air Force Strings, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. for over a decade. He has been teaching violin at the New Shiloh Baptist School in Baltimore, and joined the faculty at Ottley Music School in May 2008 teaching violin and viola. He has taught at Gettysburg College and The Gilman School.

While he has been in the Air Force, Mr. Chandler has been a founding member of the Chesapeake Strings and the Amistad Quartet. Most recently he has founded First Class Strings, LLC. He has been been a member of the Covington String Quartet for several years.Mr. Chandler graduated from

• the Baltimore School of the Arts in 1989. He received a 
  
• Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University;
  
• Master of Music degree in 1995 in Violin Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music;
  
• Professional Studies Diploma in 1997 from the same institution.

Before joining the Air Force, Mr.Chandler participated in the

• Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy,
• Moscow Conservatory International Summer School. Additionally, he studied at the 
  
• Pacific Music Festival in Japan,
• Aspen Music Festival in Colorado,
  
• The National Orchestral Institute in Maryland,
• Johannesen International School in Victoria Canada, and performed in the
• Cabrillo Music Festival under the baton of Maestra Marin Alsop
  

He has performed with several orchestras including

• Youngstown Symphony
• Erie Philharmonic, and the
  
• Akron Symphony
  

Mr. Cleveland A. Chandler, Jr. brings a wealth of experience to Ottley Music School and inspires the youngest to the most advanced student to be diligent in his/her violin and viola studies.

Mrs. Annie Groberg Otte, Violin, Music Theory (According, Voice, Theory)

Mrs. Annie Groberg Otte is a 2009 graduate with a B.A. in Music from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.  She was a 2005 Idaho Falls High School Valedictorian graduate where she served as the Assistant Concert Master of the orchestra, was the Varsity Soccer Captain, and also an Expressions member (Elite Choir)

While a student at the Brigham Young University, she performed in the Symphony Orchestra (2005-2006), Philharmonic Orchestra (2006-2007), the Celtic Ensemble (2008), was a Lead vocalist, a Fiddler and a Accordionist, and served as a Group coordinator.

Private Lesson Direction at BYU:

·          Sara Mangum (Philharmonic assistant concert master, Performance Major)

·          Professor Kory Katseanes (Director of Orchestras, previous director of The Utah Symphony)

·          Dr. LeeAnn Morgan

·          Nate Olsen (two-time Utah State Fiddle Champion, author of Championship Contest Fiddling)

Violin Teaching Experience:

Mrs. Otte has taught the violin for 7 years before coming to Ottley Music School from her home in Idaho. She teaches using the Suzuki repertoire, but not always in strict Suzuki style in that she teaches music reading early.  The ages of the students ranged from 3-40.  Her students are challenged with scales fit to their level, both major and minor, as well as a broad range of classical music from all eras.  She also teaches ear-training, sight reading to beginners, intermediate, and advanced classical violin.  Besides teaching in her own studio, she assisted college students in their theory lessons while at BYU.

Mrs. Otte also brings youthful energy to the Ottley Music School, with her students of all ages eager to play in the recitals. 

Guitar 

Gary Hancock

Mr. Hancock joined the Ottley Music School faculty in the Spring of 2009 as guitar teacher, and the guitar department has grown from one day to two days of guitar students.  He teaches both acoustic guitar and electric guitars, lead and bass. 

His methodical and personable way of teaching reaches adults, teens and children alike.  One of his beginners has moved up the level of playing so fast that she is now considered one of those who can represent the school in some outside performances.