Laurel School of Music

About the Staff

ALVIN H. RODA, Director 

Mr. Roda’s musical career started when he began studying piano at the age of five.  At seven he began studying violin and at age nine began studying the trumpet.  As a young violinist, Mr. Roda played with several area adult orchestras, including a solo performance at the age of ten with the Columbia Union College Orchestra.  At age twelve, while still in elementary school Mr. Roda began playing trumpet with the Columbia Union College Band, directed by Dr. Edith Gates.

 

At Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA), Mr. Roda was first trumpet for three years in the state award-winning band studying under Mr. James Testerman and Robert Van de Vere.  Mr. Roda studied piano and voice with organist and chorus director Dr. Jerry Taylor. Mr. Roda also studied cello and saxophone under the faculty of the award winning SVA musical program.

 

At Columbia Union College (CUC), Mr. Roda was first trumpet and soloist with the Columbia Union College Band and Brass Ensemble, touring Europe twice and touring nationwide for several years under the directorship of Dr. Robert Tennyson.  He graduated from CUC with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1985. 

 

In 1991, Mr. Roda graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree.  Mr. Roda, practiced medical science and then law until 2005 when he took over the directorship of the Laurel School of Music.

 

Mr. Roda teaches beginning piano, Introduction to Music Classes, orchestral strings, trumpet and saxophone at the Laurel School of Music.  Mr. Roda also instructs the Tot-Tunes Program. The Laurel School of Music is under the directorship and ownership of Mr. Roda.
The Laurel School of Music is directed by Alvin H. Roda.

MATTHEW P. ARBACH
Matthew Arbach has studied guitar with Bill Biesecker, John Marlow at American University, and both Edward Flower and Steve Brown at Ithaca University, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree. He plays classical, rock, and jazz. He has studied composition and has arranged many types of music in a variety of settings. Mr. Arbach teaches guitar at the Laurel School of Music.

Raymond L. Brooks II
Raymond Brooks has studied percussion under Joseph V. Tornello for four years.  He has over 20 years of experience in Concert, Marching Band,
Percussion Ensembles, Drum Circles, and Studio Recording.  Currently, he plays percussion for various bands in the Washington Metropolitan Area.  Mr. Brooks develops drum and percussion curricula personally geared to individual students from as young as 4 years old to adults, from the novice percussionist to those wishing to play professionally for performing bands.
 Mr. Brooks teaches private drum and percussion lessons, as well as the Street Rythms Program, at the Laurel School of Music.

Seyon Lee

Seyon Lee, is an active solo and chamber musician, having  made solo appearances at the Terrace Theatre of the Kennedy Center, Strathmore Hall, Library of Congress, and the Constitution Hall.  As an ensemble pianist Ms. Lee has performed with Eastman Ensembles, including the Wind Ensembles, Musica Nova, and the Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra.   Ms. Lee has won top prizes in the 19th International Young Artist Competition, Gretchen Hood Memorial Piano Competition and the Young Soloist for the National Symphony Orchestra.

Ms. Lee completed her Bachelor and Master degrees in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music.  Her principal teachers have included Fernando Laires and Thomas Schumacher.  Ms. Lee is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Musical Arts at the University of Maryland under the tutelage of Dr. Larrisa Dedova.  Ms. Lee teaches private piano lessons at the Laurel School of Music.



KEVIN L. ROSE
Kevin Rose studied classical piano under Lisa Bussing for nine years. He has been the drummer for the Contemporary Worship Service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Laurel, Maryland since 1996. Kevin is earning a Bachelor of Music degree from Towson University and is majoring in Jazz/Commercial Piano Performance. He also performs locally with his jazz trio. Kevin teaches private piano lessons at the Laurel School of Music.

LEIGH ANN ROSE
Leigh Ann Rose began classical piano studies at the age of six, under Lisa Bussing. Leigh Ann was a member of the National Piano Playing Auditions of the American College of Musicians for eleven years. In 1998, she was awarded the Paderewski Gold Medal for ten years of excellence in the National Guild Auditions. Leigh Ann will graduate from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in December 2003. She is earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts with an emphasis in Imaging and Digital Arts, as well as a minor in Music. Leigh Ann teaches private piano lessons at the Laurel School of Music.
 
Rebecca Ocampo

Dr. Rebecca Ocampo, soprano, has performed extensively in opera, recital, oratorio and musical theater.  Dr. Ocampo is a member of the The National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS).Of the many companies that she has performed with, some include:  The Washington Opera, The Baltimore Opera Company, Skylight Opera Theatre, Florentine Opera Company, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Brevard Music Center, and the Maryland Opera Studio.  Dr. Ocampo was a Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Finalist in 1993. She received her Masters of Music in 1997 and her Doctor of Musical Arts in 2000 from the University of Maryland.  She is currently on the voice faculty at George Washington University.  Previously she had taught private voice, class voice and opera workshop at the University of Maryland, College Park and private voice at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.  Ms. Ocampo teaches private voice lessons at the Laurel School of Music.

 
MACK C. STATHAM
Dr. Mack Statham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Hampton University, has taken graduate studies at the Peabody Conservatory, the University of Santa Clara, and Indiana University, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Virginia Seminary and College. Dr. Statham has taught music in public schools in North Carolina, Delaware, and Baltimore; he has performed throughout the U.S. as a pianist and organist; and he is a career church musician who is currently Minister of Music at Asbury U.M. Church in Washington, D.C. In addition, he is an accomplished composer with several major works for chorus, piano, and instrumental ensemble. In January 1997, Dr. Statham performed the organ postlude at the National Prayer Service for President Clinton's Inaugural Celebration. He teaches private piano lessons at the Laurel School of Music.