BANDS | STRINGS | PERCUSSION
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SELECT BAND DIRECTOR
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NOVICE BAND DIRECTOR
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JAZZ BAND DIRECTOR
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Woodwind Private Instruction
Marty Magnini
Marty Magnini studied clarinet performance and conducting at the University of Illinois in Champaign, and Roosevelt University in Chicago. His teachers included Walter Wollwage of the Chicago Symphony and Melvin Warner of the St. Louis Symphony. As a performer, Marty has played clarinet and bass clarinet with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Lyric Opera Orchestras. After 15 years of performing, Marty graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University.
Marty has also completed a Master’s Degree in Education from North Central College, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Kent State University. After graduation, Marty taught at Cary-Grove High School in Cary, Illinois for 27 years, where his concert and jazz ensembles won acclaim throughout the midwest. While at Cary-Grove, Marty also taught music theory, A.P. music theory, percussion ensemble, marching band, college level music appreciation, and music technology. In addition, Marty was the music director for the Crystal Lake Community Band in Crystal Lake, Illinois from 2003 to 2022. Marty recently moved to the Nashville area with his wife Julie, and is currently the Associate Director for the Nashville Community Concert Band.
Marty has worked with all levels of music students, from beginners to college music majors, and loves to share his passion for music with students of every age and ability.
NOVICE BAND ASSISTANT DIRECTORS:
Olivia Estrada (see bio under Choral Section)
Sholeen Wuest (see bio under Administration Section)
Because Novice Band can consist of a wide range of skills not yet ready for the challenges of Select Band, NB students may possibly separate into 2 groups. If this is required, the assistant directors who have directed NN bands for several years, will assist to better enable students to develop their skillset.
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PERCUSSION DIRECTOR
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Percussion Private Instruction
Jonathan Withem jonathan.w@nashvillenotes.org
Jonathan Withem started drumming at the age of five. His professional drumming career began as a teenager performing with orchestras, jazz groups, and rock bands throughout California. In 2012, he received his BA in Music from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. His expertise in and passion for drumming is the result of many dedicated drummers and percussionists including Jason Lingle and Ross Sears, who studied under Percussive Arts Society hall of famers William Kraft, George Gaber, and Anthony Cirone. Jonathan feels honored to be part of the teaching lineage of these legendary musicians.
Performing throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, South Korea, and India, Jonathan is pursued as a featured soloist, band member and clinician. He has appeared with Taylor Eigsti, Don Byron, Red Holloway, Charlie Shoemake, Bill Watrous, DJ Logic, Lincoln Brewster, American Idol’s Chris Sligh, Chris McClarney, Jason Ingram, PCPA Theatrefest, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Justin Unger, CCV Music, Trea Landon, Sophia Scott, and Omer Netzer. Jonathan’s discography (40+ projects) continues to grow as a session drummer and percussionist.
Jonathan has over 20 years teaching experience. He taught 50+ students at The Drum Lab (now Music Lab) in Rocklin, CA, and in Sacramento, CA. He was Music Lab’s Director of Operations & Education overseeing 3 music schools, 15+ instructors, and over 300 students. Jonathan also directed a drumline and percussion ensembles at Jesuit High School in Carmichael, CA, and was an Adjunct Faculty Member at William Jessup University in Rocklin, CA, where he taught orchestral / auxiliary percussion and drum set studies. Jonathan has appeared twice as a guest instructor on Mike Johnston’s mikeslessons.com and as a clinician with the Likewise Worship Collective. Before his recent move to Tennessee, Jonathan taught drum set, orchestral / auxiliary percussion, and marching percussion at Copper Hills Center for the Arts in Peoria, AZ.
In addition to teaching at Nashville Notes, Jonathan is the General Manager and an instructor at Music Lab Nashville. He has also been teaching remotely as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. When he’s not behind a drum set Jonathan enjoys a good cup of coffee, being outdoors, and quality time with family and friends.
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ANDANTE STRINGS DIRECTOR
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STRING ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR
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Violin & Viola Private Instruction
Kristi Strohwig kristi.s@nashvillenotes.org
Kristi Strohwig is a Nashville violinist and violist, educator, and entrepreneur. A New Jersey native, Kristi began playing the violin at the age of 7 and graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Instrumental Music Education.
Throughout her career, Kristi has recorded and performed all over the United States with notable names in various musical genres such as Michael Bublé, Tasha Layton, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and The Vigil Project. Kristi regularly performs at weddings and special events with Southern Strings, a musical group she co-founded in 2021, as well as with the Orchestra of Kentucky, the Paducah Symphhony Orchestra, and many other ensembles.
With a passion for music education, Kristi currently teaches 30 private violin and viola students in the greater Nashville area. She believes music is the greatest gift God has given her and she is delighted to be a part of the team at Nashville Notes as the director of Andanté Strings and String Ensemble!
Margie Way-Kiani margie.wk@nashvillenotes.org
Margie Way-Kiani was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and received both a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree from Middle Tennessee State University. She attended the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts in 2009, the Hot Springs Music Festival in Arkansas in 2014, and the International Music Festival of the Adriatic in Italy and Slovenia in 2015. She currently performs with the Lionheart Chamber Orchestra, Southern Strings, and the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra. Margie has over 10 years of private cello instruction experience and taught beginner through advanced level string orchestra for 7 years at Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, TN.
Currently, Margie is focusing on her family: raising her daughter and helping her dad run his game business!