Will Devitt – Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Ukulele, Mandolin
A performer, composer, and guitar teacher for more than 20 years, Will taught in Japan and has played with new muisc ensembles, poets. and country-dance bands. Will has taught for the Stafford Music Academy since 2009 and currently writes music for and performs in the progressive folk-rock duo, Davis + Devitt.
Jack Gallalee–Guitar, Bass
Jack has played guitar for more than a decade, starting with classic rock and blues which evolved into a love and appreciation for learning jazz. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Knox College, where he performed in the Knox Jazz Ensemble, as well as multiple small combos. In Bloomington, he took violin-making classes at the Jacobs School of Music, and he has been seen around town playing bass in a 50s/60s R&B band called the 123s. He has a cat named Thelonious Monk.
Braedon Hofmann – Guitar, Ukulele, Lute, Banjo
Braedon thoroughly enjoys teaching and approaches learning a musical instrument in a way that helps the student develop a passion and appreciation of their own, hoping that practicing and playing becomes a pleasure. He loves working with students of all ages and takes great pride in the progress of his students. The importance of theory, technique, and musical understanding is incorporated in every lesson so students truly learn how to play their instrument. Braedon, like many guitarists, had his roots in rock and roll but now holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Music Composition and Classical guitar and now will be perusing graduate studies for Historical Performance at Jacob’s School of Music. He has received scholarships and participated in music festivals such as Early Music America’s Berkeley Festival, The Lute Society of America’s Summer Festival, and Oberlin’s Baroque Performance Institute. He loves to have fun and his students really enjoy learning with him as they share and grow together, creating memories and skills that will last a lifetime.
Otis Cantrell – Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele, Drums
Otis Cantrell received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies on Guitar in May of 2014 and is currently pursuing coursework to become a nationally certified music therapist. Originally from Anderson, Indiana, he now resides in Bloomington, Indiana with his wife and two dogs and teaches guitar, bass, drums, and ukulele in the local area and online. He can be seen performing gigs across the Midwest laying down grooves on guitar in the local soul group The Vallures, the indie-funk group Imunuri, and on banjo and ukulele in Mr. Taylor and his Dirty Dixie Band. Otis has been teaching beginner ukulele and drum lessons; intermediate bass lessons; and up to advanced guitar lessons since 2009 culminating in 6000+ hours and counting of experience. His teaching style is tailor-made for each individual student based on their likes and needs in order to maximize the benefits of lessons. His large collection of musical influences and interests have made him a versatile musician who is grounded in many styles, specifically surrounding the mediums of blues, bluegrass, funk, and anything with a groove.
Peter Kienle – Guitar, Electric Bass, & Composition
Born, raised and having spent the first 28 years of his life in Germany, Peter picked up a guitar for the first time at age 14. Early on, he taught himself to read and compose music. Starting out learning some of the folk music of the day, he soon gravitated towards classical guitar, especially J. S. Bach, and then Brazilian Bossa Nova. After his first jam session with a band, his interest shifted towards jazz and improvised music, which led to studies at Jazz School Munich in 1978. Until relocating to the US in 1988, he taught guitar at various public and private music schools.
In the United States, he established himself quickly as a capable sideman on guitar and electric bass while teaching a small group of private students and picking up studio work as musician and engineer. Together with his wife Monika Herzig, he led the fusion group BeebleBrox until 2002. He has written over 100 works for classical guitar and about 1200 compositions for his various groups which include Kwyjibo, Splinter Group, Nutpicker and most recently The Time Flies.
Dakota Smith – Percussion/Drums
Dakota Smith is a versatile percussionist with experience in solo, orchestral, marching, jazz, and world music settings. Hailing from LaGrange, IL and the son of a pianist and percussionist, Dakota grew up in a musical environment, and has been fortunate to attend Lyons Township High School, through which he participated twice in Jazz at the Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington competition and perform in the Evanston Jazz Festival, as well as a concert at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, IL. Dakota has spent three summers participating in Drum Corps International as a member of Legends DBC in 2010 and 2011, and the Blue Stars DBC in 2012, with WGI Indoor Drumline experience as a member of Green Thunder Percussion in the 2011 season. During his time at IU, Dakota was a member of every single ensemble except the New Music Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Baroque Orchestra. Additionally, he was a member of IU's Percussion Ensemble, Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble, and Steel Drum Ensemble.
