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Bruce Vantine's Cornerstone Chorale & Brass

GerardAhlgren2023c

Trumpet

Gerard Ahlgren

GERARD AHLGREN, trumpet, is based in Minneapolis. He received his formal education from McNally Smith College of Music completing his undergrad studies in 2009 and returning to complete Masters in Performance in 2016. Gerard plays in many different groups ranging in classical, jazz, pop, and Latin. He is a strong lead player, soloist, and also great in supporting parts as well. In addition to his interest in many genres of music, Gerard also enjoys musical theater both as a musician and as a patron. Starting a Tower of Power tribute band is Gerard’s most recent project and he hopes to continue cultivating this new venture as a bandleader and soloist. (tour 1)

Currently resides in: Minneapolis, MN

Number of Cornerstone tours: 1

Anita Childs 2023

Pianist

Anita Childs

Anita was born in the Philippines to missionary parents and began work as a church musician as a teenager. She graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and continued her work as organist and accompanist until 2003 when she began a career as a Foreign Service Officer and diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, serving in Washington D.C. and U.S. embassies and consulates around the world including Seoul, Jerusalem, and Tallinn (Estonia). Married for 42 years, Anita is the mother of three, grandmother of four and enjoys birding, sewing and cooking. Now retired from the Foreign Service and living in College Park, Maryland, she is back to making music, happy to be on her first tour with the Cornerstone Chorale.

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Currently resides in: College Park, MD

Number of Cornerstone tours: 1

Simon Jansen 2023

Bass Trombone

Simon Jansen

Simon, bass and contra-bass trombone, is from Cincinnati Ohio. He is currently attending the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music pursuing his undergraduate degree in trombone performance. He can be heard on CCMs new CD aspirations. Simon has also competed in the 2022 Jack Rudin Jazz championship hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center, and was part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2019 tour to Sao Paulo Brazil.

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Number of Cornerstone tours: 1

Tawnee Lynn Lillo

French Horn

Tawnee Lynn Lillo

Tawnee Lynn Lillo, French horn, is based in Los Angeles and is thrilled to be joining Cornerstone Chorale and Brass for her first tour. Receiving her formal training with a bachelor’s degree from University of Arizona under the late Keith Johnson in 2000 and a masters degree from USC with both Richard Todd and the late Vincent DeRosa in 2004, she now teaches horn as an adjunct professor at Pasadena City College and El Camino College, coaches the French horns of Pasadena Youth Orchestra, consults for The Horn Guys and has a very active freelance lifestyle. Ms. Lillo has hired musicians for several live shows/tours/artists, plays in many different groups ranging in classical, jazz, pop, rock, hip hop and even her own trio, Triple Play. She also loves performing musicals, opera, vocalists, playing with her colleagues and spending time with her family consisting of 9 musical nieces and nephews.

Something near and dear to her heart is social justice, and being a positive influence to people all around the world through the power of music and her singing dog, Booker. You can find more about Tawnee’s adventurous musical life at www.tawneelynnmusic.com.

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Currently resides in: Los Angeles, CA

Number of Cornerstone tours: 1

David Paff 2023

Tenor Trombone

David Paff

David served in the U.S. Navy as a musician from 2003 – 2017. He was featured as a euphonium and trombone soloist with navy band Northeast, Naval Forces Europe Band in Naples, Italy and Navy Band Great Lakes, IL. David was stationed in Naples, Italy from 2008 to 2012. Toured 28 countries between Europe and Africa in various ensembles such as the Brass Quintet, Ceremonial and Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band.

[Read more…] about David Paff

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Number of Cornerstone tours: 1

Trumpet

Laura Saylor

Laura completed a doctorate in brass performance and pedagogy at the University of Iowa, where she was a member of the Iowa Brass Quintet.  She studied music education at Messiah College (Mechanicsburg, PA), and has a master’s degree in trumpet performance from Boston University (Boston, MA), with additional chamber music study at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM).
[Read more…] about Laura Saylor

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Currently resides in: Solon, IA

Number of Cornerstone tours: 3

How to Support Cornerstone

The Cornerstone Chorale & Brass is a Federal and Missouri-registered non-profit, charitable organization. We depend on your financial gifts to help us produce and spread God's message of love, hope and compassion.


Contributions are gratefully accepted and may be submitted via our Donate page or sent to:

Bruce Vantine's Cornerstone Chorale & Brass

P.O. Box 249, Florissant, MO 63032

Telephone: 1-314-591-1479

© Copyright 2020-present Bruce Vantine