WHO WE ARE

Robert Wachen is a jazz, classical, and rock alto, soprano, and tenor saxophonist. Robert recently finished his term as a Young Artist in Residence through Strathmore's Young Musicians Training Residency. Robert performed at Carnegie Hall as the 1st Chair Alto Saxophonist under Carnegie Hall's Honors Performance Series. Over the summer, Robert has trained at the Interlochen Saxophone Institute, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Summer Jazz Workshop, and the National Jazz Workshop. He also has played with the Maryland All-State Jazz Ensemble and has been the Lead Alto player in the Montgomery County Senior Jazz Ensemble and Senior Honor Band for the past 5 years. Over the years, Robert has won various solo awards, including "Best Soloist" at the Essentially Ellington festival and "Jazz Soloist Award" at the Montgomery County Big Band Festival. Robert has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wolftrap, the Strathmore Music Center, AMP by Strathmore, the Fillmore, Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club, the Howard Theatre, and more.

Luca Greenspun is a rock, jazz, and funk guitarist with over 12 years of experience. Luca has played lead guitar in jazz ensembles and various rock groups in the DC area. Furthermore, Luca has conducted and led pit orchestras in many performances, such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cinderella, and Legally Blonde. Luca also led a sold-out performance for the past 3 years of BLAST 28, 29, and 30. In addition, Luca has led multiple jazz bands to compete in multiple festivals, such as the Montgomery County Big Band Jazz Festival, the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival, and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition. Luca recently received a Band Director’s accolade for his outstanding leadership and commitment to music. Luca has played in many venues from Florida to New York.

Marcel Penzes is a Jazz Trombonist based out of Potomac, Maryland. Over his 5 year career in playing trombone, he has performed at many prestigious venues in the area, including the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, the DC Jazz Festival, the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival, and the National Cathedral. He has been a part of the opening act for Joey DeFrancesco, and has performed with jazz superstars Carmen Bradford and Brian Lynch. He has been selected through competitive auditions for both all county and all state jazz bands. This year, Marcel was a Young Artist in Residence at Strathmore. In 2017, he received the Chuck Steenburg Chair in Jazz Trombone Scholarship from the Jazz Academy of Music. In 2018, he won the "Best Overall Soloist" award at the Montgomery County Big Band Festival. In addition to this, he received the Louis Armstrong Jazz award, which recognizes a student who best embodies excellence in Jazz improvisation.  He will attend the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in the Fall of 2019 where he will major in Jazz Studies.

Isaac Applebaum is an accomplished jazz pianist and bandleader, as well as a nationally-recognized composer and arranger. Isaac was honored as one of seven national winners of the 2018 NextNotes composition competition. Isaac is a graduate of the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra and the leader of the Isaac Applebaum Quintet. Additionally, Isaac was the pianist for the 2017 Maryland All-State Jazz Band, and he has studied at the Stanford Jazz Workshop and Skidmore Jazz Institute under musicians like Allison Miller. He has performed at venues including the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, National Cathedral, Blues Alley Jazz Club, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Strathmore Music Center and Anacostia’s Riverfest, as well as regularly at local farmers’ markets and private events. In 2016, Isaac released “Song of Myself”, a professional album of standards and original compositions that raises money to fight Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, an often-debilitating genetic disorder. Isaac has been recognized by the Maryland State Music Teachers Association Composers Circle and received outstanding soloist honors from the Stanford Jazz Workshop and Montgomery County Big Band Festival. 

Ian Becker is a jazz, funk, pop and rock bass player. Ian has played in many groups such as the Metro Jazz Collective in Potomac, MD. Along with playing bass, Ian is a drummer and piano player, playing anywhere from jazz to classic rock. Ian was in the Montgomery County Senior Honors Jazz Band this past year on drum set and vibraphone. Ian also teaches bass, drums and piano at Bach to Rock Music School where he teaches children the basics of music and such instruments. In his free time, he produces hip-hop music, amassing a total of 60 produced tracks. Over the years, Ian has played venues such as Strathmore, the National Cathedral, AMP, Sotto and various office parties, restaurants and bars throughout the DC Metro area.

Andreas Mayr is a jazz, funk, and rock drums and keyboard player. Andreas has played with various jazz and rock groups at restaurants, private events, and jazz festivals, such as Essentially Ellington, the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival, and the Montgomery County Big Band Jazz Festival. Andreas has recorded and produced music in his free time with various musicians, vocalists, and groups in his home studio. Andreas has also performed at the Strathmore Music Center and the Fillmore.