Faculty
 

Dr. Bob Lawrence
Ph.D. Unversity of North Texas | MME University of North Texas | BA St. Ambrose University
I'm not a native Texan (born in Rock Island, Illinois) but have lived in the great state of Texas since 1984. My beautiful wife Tamalyn and I have four wonderful children (3 lively boys and a precious little girl) who, needless to say, are the joy of our lives. When I am not passionately working with my colleagues on The dlp Sites you can find me playing with the kids, sneaking in a little fishing, or grilling in our backyard (you can't live in Texas and not become infatuated with the grill!). We are actively involved in our Prince of Peace Catholic Parish and love serving others whenever, wherever, and however we can. I hope you enjoy being a part of the dlp community as much as we enjoy developing new and exciting ways for people to discover, learn, and play music! Please Email me at any time to introduce yourself - I look forward to getting to know you.
Instruments: Jazz Piano, Percussion, Double Bass, Bass Guitar
Teachers: Dan Haerle, Rich Matteson, Jack Peterson, Al Frandsen, Hildegard Froehlich, Joan Trapp
 (and many other great influences along the way!)
972-380-8050 Ext. 211


Mike Finkel
BM University of North Texas
I grew up in South Jersey and Philly. My dreams of being a scrappy power forward for the Sixers were nixed when I stopped growing in 1976. I moved to Texas in 1980, met my lovely wife Anne in 1989. Our son, Max, was born in 1992 and is following his dream to be a great filmmaker. Creating is in our blood - my grandfather, Maurice, was a well-known architect and my father was a TV producer. I love cooking (been vegan for 2 years) and watching movies with and/or going on road trips with my family. My true passion is writing songs and helping others write and record music. I'd love to hear what your favorite dlp songs are and why. I look forward to hearing more remixes and mash-ups of dlp songs. It's wonderful to help people all over the world have music in their life and to hear about the joy it brings. I look forward to getting to know you.
Instruments: Keyboards, Jazz Piano, Songwriting/Arranging, Trumpet, Guitar  
Teachers: Dan Haerle, Rich Matteson, Paris Rutherford, Joseph Hadfield, David "Fathead" Newman and many great singer/songwriters!
Performed With: David "Fathead" Newman, Hank Mobley, Grover Washington Jr., Marc Cohn, Arlo Guthrie, April Smith and the Great Picture Show, Michael Bolton, Richie McDonald, Julie Peel, Summer Ames, Jordan Lawhead and Rich Matteson
972-380-8050 Ext. 210

 

Eugene Cantera
BME University of Hartford
I grew up in South Jersey and miss the ‘shore’ a bunch, but I’ve been in Texas for 20 years and I’m proud to call Dallas ‘home’. In my spare time I play golf as often as possible! I am an amateur fossil hunter, I dabble in and love art, and I'm a sucker for documentaries. Most of the time I can be found laughing with and at my soon to be 21 year old son Parker Cole (named after Charlie Parker and Cole Porter). Not a musician, he is instead a critic, movie buff, and fan of Japanese card games (no lie). I also enjoy cooking and finding interesting people and places to visit with my amazing girlfriend Gracie. Although my main instrument is saxophone, I've taught just about everything over the past 20 years...including mandolin! I look forward to helping you on your musical journey in any way that I can.
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet, Guitar, Piano
Teachers: Duncan Martin, Norman Jarvis, Bill McManus, James Hill, Lynn Klock (more info about Lynn) and Jackie McLean
972-380-8050 Ext. 212

 

Gary Feltner
MM University of North Texas | BM Bowling Green State University
I was born in Toledo Ohio, but I’ve now lived in Texas over half my life. My beautiful wife Julia and I enjoy quiet evenings together, dinner with friends, reading, cooking, and we are both very active in our church. I will always consider myself a lifelong learner, and continue to practice daily and perform regularly. I guess that’s why I love teaching so much - music excites me, the learning process excites me, but most of all people excite me. I look forward to being right beside you on your musical journey!
Instruments: Violin, Piano, Tuba, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar
Teachers: Paul Makara, Gregory Fulkerson, Robert Davidovici, Frances Burnett
972-380-8050 Ext. 215

 

Tamalyn Lawrence
MM University of North Texas | BM Southern Methodist University
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, I’m a native Texan and proud of it! Having lived in Dallas since 1987, I’m married to Bob Lawrence and have four amazing children that keep me on my toes every day. In my spare time, you can find me enjoying time with my family, trying out new recipes, reading and traveling to places off the beaten path. My husband and I are actively involved at Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Plano, Texas and enjoy serving others through our parish ministries. I love working at DSM and dlp and helping students young and old experience the wonderful journey of learning music. I hope you enjoy being a part of the dlp community as much as we enjoy developing new and exciting ways for people to discover, learn, and play music! Please Email me at any time to introduce yourself - I look forward to getting to know you.
Instruments: Flute, Piano, Voice
Teachers: Kathleen Chastain, Jacki Hofto, Claire Johnson, Albert Tipton, Alexander Murray, Mary Louise Poor and Robert Bush
972-380-8050 Ext. 216

 

Cari Jackson
MM Brigham Young Univeristy| BM Brigham Young University
I have always had a deep love for music. From a very young age, I could feel something special about music and knew that I wanted to spend my life pursuing it. I started playing the piano and singing under my mother's tutelage and began formal violin lessons at age 7 (after begging for them for more that a year...true story). From my first time squeaking out the twinkle variations, to singing in high school musicals, to rock band performances with friends, on to performing concertos in college and performing professionally, music has brought joy to my life. I graduated from Brigham Young University in beautiful Provo, Utah with a Bachelor and Master's degree in violin performance where I was fortunate to with wonderful faculty! Music has given me the opportunity to travel throughout the United States, with a performance in Carnegie Hall, and many places internationally, including the British Isles, South Africa, China, British Columbia. I love to travel and learn about different cultures, and in my spare time I enjoy cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with my amazing husband, Sean. I love sharing my love of music with others through teaching and performing and love working with the students at the Dallas School of Music!
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Piano, Voice
Teachers:  
Performed With:  
972-380-8050 Ext. 202

 

Dan Haerle
MM University of North Texas | BM Coe College

As of the summer of 2002, Dan Haerle retired from full-time teaching. He was a faculty member in the Jazz Studies Division of the College of Music at the University of North Texas for 25 years (Regents Professor for the last 10 years). He taught Jazz Piano, Jazz Fundamentals, Advanced Jazz Improvisation, Jazz MIDI, Graduate Jazz Improvisation, Rhythm Section Master Class and he supervised the jazz chamber music program. He has recorded many Jamey Aebersold playalongs, has several jazz text books published, is an active jazz clinician nationally and internationally and has had a great deal of performing experience. Dan was inducted into the International Association of Jazz Education "Hall of Fame" at the annual conference in Toronto on January 9, 2003.
Instruments: Jazz Piano, Percussion
Teachers:  
Performed With: Stan Kenton, Chris Connor, Mel Torme, Al Jarreau, Pat Metheny, Dave Liebman, Woody Shaw, Kai Winding, Freddie Hubbard
972-380-8050 Ext. 214

 

Dr. Norm Wick
Ph.D. University of Wisonsin-Madison | MM Bowling Green State University | BM University of Wisconsin-Madison
I've been a Wisconsin transplant to the Dallas area since the mid-80s, but Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger football still hold my allegiance. My wife Mary and I were high-school sweethearts and have been inseparable ever since, raising 3 wonderful children together. Daughter Anne is a certified music therapist, Andrew is an artist and art teacher, and Katie, my youngest, is in college studying music education. I love teaching and sharing music in the service of God's kingdom, which is why I've been involved with teaching music and music ministry my entire adult life. Life isn't a dress rehearsal, and mine has presented a myriad of opportunities to grow, interact, and be blessed. It would be my pleasure to become an integral part of your musical life.
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Teachers: Tait Sanford Barrows, Jerome Rose, Bruce Benward, Joseph Straus
972-380-8050 Ext. 213

 

Jeff Ensign
MM University of North Texas | BME University of Northern Iowa
My passion for music began when I was in second grade in Iowa. It was my elementary music teacher who inspired my love of music, and I started tuba, piano, and choir in fifth grade. I continued all through high school and decided to attend the University of Northern Iowa where I received a full tuition scholarship and my Bachelor's of Music in Music Education. After graduating, I moved to Texas where I was a band director for four years. I loved music and theory, and decided I wanted to teach college students, so I attended the University of North Texas where I received my Master's in Music Theory, and where I am currently working on my PhD in Music Theory. When I'm not studying or teaching music, I enjoy watching TV, going out with my friends, and designing cities. I still think I may add city planner to my list of careers. I believe that success in life, as with success in music, comes through hard work and dedication, and I hope to encourage my students to be successful in both! I hope I can inspire many students the way my music teachers have inspired me.
Instruments: Tuba, Piano
Teachers: Jeff Funderburk, Graham Phipps, Joan Groom
972-380-8050 Ext. 205

 

Dr. Chiaki Hanafusa
DMA University of North Texas | MM University of North Texas | BM Musashino Academia Musicae

I’m a native Japanese, but I’ve lived in the US since 1999. After finished my bachelor degree in Saxophone performance, I decided to move to this country to explore my possibilities & opportunities. After two years of English & saxophone training in Indiana, I moved to Texas to study at the University of North Texas where I received Master’s & Doctor’s degrees in saxophone performance. My music training started at age 5 when I started playing the Japanese instrument “Koto.” I continued training in koto until I met the saxophone. Since then, I’ve been playing the saxophone. Although saxophone is my major instrument, I enjoy playing piano, flute, & clarinet. I like to try new things - meeting new people, going new places, finding new recipes, etc. I enjoying listening new music & learning new pieces, too. I appreciated teachers & musicians inspired me, & hope I can be like them for my students.
Instruments: Saxophone, Piano, Flute, Clarinet
Teachers: Eric Nesteler, Otis Murphy, Eugene Rousseau, Thomas Walsh, Katsuki Tochio, James Gillespie, Yuko Sagara
972-380-8050 Ext. 206

 

Jenn Escue
MM University of North Texas | BM University of North Texas
Texas has been my home for all but two years of my life so far. Those other two years were spent at The University of Oklahoma, where I began my undergraduate degree as a vocal performance major. I decided my path was vocal jazz in 2002 and decided to return to Texas and not too far from my roots in Lewisville where I began studying in Denton at The University of North Texas. While at UNT, I received both my BM and MM in jazz, where I had the opportunity to direct Jazz Singers 2 and teach an introductory vocal jazz improvisation course to undergraduates. I sang with the award-winning Jazz Singers for 5 years and performed at IAJE in 2007. While at UNT, I fell in love with modern jazz and was inspired to start writing my own original music. Some of my favorite artists are Gretchen Parlato, Avishai Cohen, Esperanza Spalding, Radiohead, Imogen Heap, Vienna Teng and Tori Amos. Although music, singing, teaching, performing and learning various musical instruments are my true passions, I like to think of myself as a well-rounded woman who loves traveling, playing sports, soccer, basketball, films, books, animals, and my family and friends. I hope to live, write, perform and teach music somewhere in Europe, and I'm currently working on my debut album of my own original music, which is set to release this fall 2012, My greatest mentor, idol, teacher and friend is my mother, Jayne, who is an amazing woman, and I love my little dog Nicky!
Instruments: Jazz Voice, Piano
Teachers: Paris Rutherford, Rosana Eckert, Lynn Seaton, Fred Hamilton, Dr. John Murphy, Mike Steinel, Dr. Thomas Carrey
Performed With: Tommy Campbell
972-380-8050 Ext. 203

 

Chris Collins
BM University of North Texas
I was born in New York City (The Bronx). My family moved to Texas when I was entering the 6th grade and this is when I formally started studying music. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Music Composition. After graduation, I focused on performing with various bands for a few years. I started teaching lessons during my time at UNT and turned my focus back to teaching when I found DSM in 1995. I truly enjoy working with students of all ages and backgrounds. While I hope to assist my students with reaching their goals, I feel that I learn a great deal from every student as well. When not at DSM and DLP, my wife Cindy and I enjoy spending time together, spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and watching sports. Hockey is our favorite and we both root for the Dallas Stars and the Texas Tornado, a junior league team in our hometown. For baseball, I am still a New York Yankees fan and Cindy, a native Texan, has become a fan as well. Year after year, Bob Lawrence continues to try to "bring me over from the dark side" to become a Rangers fan. However, I keep telling him that, despite all he has accomplished, he will never succeed at this task. For football, I somehow ended up a Dallas Cowboys fan and Cindy is a New York Giants fan (that seems backwards). She says it is because she likes Eli Manning but I think Bob somehow convinced her to root for the Giants.
Instruments: Percussion
Teachers:  
972-380-8050 Ext. 217