Music Faculty
Diana Anderson has been on the TSA orchestra faculty since it's founding year. Mrs. Anderson teaches Beginning and Intermediate Strings and assists with the Advanced Orchestra, as well as organizing and coaching string chamber music ensembles. Mrs. Anderson also serves as the liason between TSA's ARTner, the Toledo Symphony, in coordinating the Community Lesson Program's participation at TSA. Diana Anderson has a Bachelors degree in Violin Performance from Cleveland Institiute of Music, as well as a minor degree in European History from Case Western Reserve University. Diana Anderson also has certification in the Suzuki String Method which emphasizes teaching very young students in group and private settings, teaching most of what the students learn by ear. Mrs. Anderson applies many of these techniques to students of all ages. Diana Anderson is in her 22nd year performing as a core member of the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Opera orchestras. She also has maintained a studio of private students for over 25 years.
"My grandfather always used to play at holiday gatherings, while my aunts sang," recalls Joe Boes, when asked what got him interested in guitar. His best friend wanted to start a band when he was about 14. "I was supposed to play drums and his friend would play guitar. As it turned out, we didn't start a band and I ended up buying his guitar!"
At that time, he started taking lessons with Bryan Rombalski at Durdel's. "Bryan made me realize that music was more than notes, or studying for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Music was going out and enjoying other forms of art, life, and culture and incorporating these things into your music."
After several years with Bryan, Joe joined the Toledo Youth Jazz Ensemble. They went to a competition in Florida where they took 2nd place in the all-around competition. He also studied with Rob Worden for several months, prior to attending BGSU. While at BG, he studied with Chris Buzzelli and a few grad students as well. He also played in various guitar ensembles, both jazz and classical. In 1995, he went to Southern University, in Louisiana, where he studied under the direction of Alvin Batiste, a legendary composer and clarinet player. While under the direction of Alvin Batiste, an ensemble was asked to play at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where Joe debuted a piece he had written called "Vibe.” He was employed by the University as a guitar instructor. After returning in 1996, Joe played in various blues and R&B bands including Blue Willie and the Mudcats, Mudfoot and the Blues Messengers and 5 Spot. During this time, Joe moved about the country, with extended stays in Califonia, New York, and Nashville, where he spent about two years. While there Joe also expanded his repertoire playing in a heavy rock/alternative band, and alternative country/blues project and finally a casino circuit R&B outfit. Joe returned to Toledo in 2002 and jumped back into teaching at Durdel's. Joe was married in July of 2005 to Laura Wise. Also in 2005, Joe released a CD of original music which you can hear on his website listed below. Joe and Laura had their first child, Isabella in 2007 and on July 4th of 2010, Ava, their second child was born. Joe says his influences are; Motown R & B and the psychedelic funk of the '70's, like Sly and the Family Stone, as well as Bill Frisell, Tom Waits, Marc Ribot, Jerry Douglas, Ry Cooder, Derek Trucks, Jeff Beck and old Hawaiian-style music. If you want more information about Joe Boes, check out his web site www.mojoeboes.com
Jamie Dauel has been teaching chorus and piano at TSA for ten years. She has worked as an accompanist for The Toledo Repertoire Theatre, the Oregon Community Theatre, The Village Players, The Toledo Opera, The Toledo Symphony, Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra, and Toledo Public Schools. She has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance degree from Bowling Green State University, and a Master of Music in Music Education degree from University of Toledo. Jamie also currently works in healthcare access at The Toledo Hospital, and as the full-time organist for St. Lucas Lutheran Church in the Old South End. Jamie maintains a busy lifestyle through TSA by participating as music director for the musicals, a member of the Development Committee, the faculty representative to the Personnel Committee, and as the teachers’ representative to the TSA Board of Directors.
An accomplished musician, Mr. Desmond graduated with honors from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s in Music Education, where he won the Hassenhall Concerto Competition and later served as Visiting Assistant Professor. He also holds a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music. He has performed with the Toledo Percussion Trio, the UT Faculty Jazz Ensemble, the Toledo Symphony, Colorado Symphony and Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, including performances with Yo-Yo Ma, James Galway, The Moody Blues, and has recorded with the Denver Brass. In addition to TSA, Mr. Desmond also teaches for the Toledo Drum School, and can be seen as a rock and jazz drummer every weekend in various clubs throughout the area.
Jay Welenc currently conducts the TSA Studio Orchestra, String Orchestra, Studio Winds, and Beginning and Intermediate Bands. He also instructs Music Seminar, Music 7/8, and oversees the chamber wind and string ensembles.
Since joining the TSA faculty in 2002, his ensembles have earned several top festival honors, and perform a variety of concerts and presentations each year. The TSA Studio Orchestra continues to add to the list of road appearances which now include Cedar Point, Disney World, Williamsburg, Columbus, Chicago, New York, and soon- the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Mr. Welenc is active in the Ohio Music Education Association and the Jazz Education Connection of Ohio. He has served as Chair for OMEA Solo & Ensemble (Dist. 10) and Honors Jazz Festivals (Dist. 1). He continues to present lectures and performances at state and national education and music conferences, and write for educational journals and websites. Mr. Welenc also serves on the committees to write the state ‘Arts & Communication’ Career & Technical Education Standards in Ohio.
A music educator since 1981, Mr. Welenc directed high school band, choir, and jazz ensembles in Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio prior to his years at TSA; his ensembles have performed all over the eastern U.S. and in Canada, earning numerous honors and awards. In addition, he has served as a music department chair, festival/event chair, and mentor teacher. He previously instructed jazz ensemble at Owens Community College in Toledo.
A native of Chicago, Ill., Mr. Welenc has performed as an instrumentalist and vocalist over the years in a variety of music ensembles across the Midwest. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Quincy University (Illinois), a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Iowa, and a license in Career and Technical Education completed at the University of Toledo. Mr. Welenc also holds a permanent Ohio teaching certificate in vocal and instrumental music.
Mr. Welenc has previously been nominated by his students for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and for the DisneyHand teaching award. He has also been recognized by two of his previous school districts for his work with the band programs.
Ken Zuercher is a music instructor in his twelfth year at TSA, beginning in the school’s second year. He began the Jazz program then and has since added the guitar program and added some of the Pop Music ensembles. Under his direction, the jazz combos have three times been invited to and performed at the State of Ohio annual OMEA Professional Development Conference. Many of Mr. Zuercher’s students have gone on to college studying music and play professionally. He holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree from the University of Toledo in Education. He also plays professionally in Hepcatrevival and hand builds Vacuum Tube guitar amplifiers.