Ben Green
Percussion, Guitar
Ben Green is the owner and founder of Greensleeves Music L.L.C. Mr. Green is a public school teacher in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, teaching general music at the elementary level. He continues to teach private music lessons in students' homes as he has for many years. Though his instruments of greatest study are in the percussion family, Mr. Green also teaches guitar lessons. His style of teaching focuses on the students' interests, but a well rounded approach ensures that each student has all the basic skills and knowledge needed for success.
Ben studied at West Chester University, where he earned a Master of the Arts in Music Education degree, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Both degrees were met with honors.
Ben continues to perform locally as a percussionist as well. He plays drum set with the rock band Ka-Pow! and vibraphone with Good Vibes Inc. among other freelance work.
Nathan Hansen
BRASS, BASS, GUITAR, PIANO
Nathan Hansen is a composer and musician whose expertise is in trombone and low brass. Nathan also plays guitar, bass, and piano, which he uses frequently in his compositions and work in music theory. He is currently working on a degree in Music Composition at West Chester University.
Nathan loves to improvise and learn to interact with music in new ways. He has been part of a number of reputed ensembles including the NJMEA All-State Wind Ensemble in high school. At WCU, he is part of the Criterions Jazz Ensemble, the WCU Wind Ensemble, and the Latin Jazz Ensemble. Nathan spends much of his free time practicing and creating music with the hope of becoming and video game composer.
Nathan enjoyed his past experience working with summer band program, where he worked with fifth graders on developing their skills. He loved seeing them learn to play tunes and enjoy the music. He brings his experience and passion for music to Greensleeves and says, “I love to share the joy of making music with others!”
Dominick DeStefano
Guitar, Piano, Woodwinds
Dominick joins Greensleeves as a woodwinds, piano, and guitar teacher. His primary instruments are bassoon and saxophone and he is skilled with clarinet, flute, piano, and guitar.
Originally from Harrisburg, Dominick lives in West Chester where he attends West Chester University. Dominick is majoring in Studio Composition with a minor in Computer Science.
At WCU, Dominick studies bassoon and saxophone under Jon Gaardner and Jonathan Ragonese. He’s also learning about music production and enjoys composing and creating electronic music. He is interested in film and video game scoring and sound design. Outside of music, Dominick enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.
Dominick loves making music because it gives him a way to express himself. In high school, he performed with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Region Band as well as the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra. At WCU, he has been a member of the West Chester University Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchester, Chamber Winds, Opera Orchestra, and various chamber groups. He also performed in the WCU Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band.
Dominick teaches winds and brass at Chichester High School’s marching band and teaches front ensemble at Ridley High School.
Dominick loves working with students and watching them grow and develop over time. He believes that learning an instrument should be a fun, low-stress experience. His goal is for his students to develop a love of music and to enjoy playing their instruments.
Braedon O’Hara
Guitar, PERCUSSION, Piano, Voice
Braedon O’Hara is a versatile musician concentrating in Voice as he completes a degree in Music Education at Wells School of Music, WCU. Braedon is also skilled with guitar, bass, drums, and piano.
Originally from Collegeville, Braedon now resides in West Chester. As a voice student, Braedon performs for the public in various concerts using his solo voice repertoire. He participates in the WCU Choirs, currently Bass II in the top choir Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. David P. Devenney. Braedon was also a member of the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band and has participated in a variety of extracurricular musical activities on campus including voice performance groups, bands, jam groups, and recording sessions. Braedon has directed percussion performance ensembles and played in a variety of jazz combos and musical theatre pit orchestras.
Braedon has had the distinct pleasure of performing in Vocal Masterclasses at WCU and representing the WCU Vocal Program at NATS (National Association for Teachers of Singing) and ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conferences. On guitar, he’s performed for live orchestrations and public performances. Braedon enjoys playing in theatre productions in addition to Jazz Bands. He’s also recorded drums for multiple tracks for friends who produce and has had great experiences performing them live for composition ensembles.
Braedon has taught lessons in the past and has directed percussion and voice ensembles with many students. He looks forward to some more one-on-one learning experiences with his Greensleeves students!
Jonathan Ruch
Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Ukulele, Voice
Jonathan Ruch is a multi-instrumentalist and experienced teacher joining Greensleeves as a teacher of piano, guitar, voice, bass, drums, and ukulele.
Jonathan has been teaching lessons for 7+ years and loves working with individuals who have a passion and desire to learn and grow. He finds it highly rewarding to see student progress and the moments with things “click” and make sense for people. He enjoys working with children of all skill levels.
Jonathan graduated with high honors from the University of Valley Forge with a BA in Music (Worship Leading) with a primary focus on voice and secondary on piano. He was involved with a variety of bands during his college years, playing multiple instruments and singing. He was chosen to lead “Pneuma,” one of the school’s traveling music teams. During that time, he also worked at his local church as Contemporary Music Coordinator.
Jonathan is a local music artist and has had the opportunity to share his original music on streaming platforms and share in a variety of performance venues. Music has been and always will be on of the main passions in his life. It inspires him to create and to feel all of the emotions that come through music. He feels motivated to be his best self and to hone his talents through discipline and hard work.
Jonathan is happily married and resides in Downingtown, PA.
CJ Orrico
Brass, Guitar, Piano
CJ Orrico is a trumpet expert who also teaches horn, trombone, baritone/euphonium, piano, and guitar. He is from Newton, NJ and now lives in West Chester, PA where he’s studying Music Education and Instrumental Performance as a double major at West Chester University.
CJ has been playing trumpet for about 10 years and loves all aspects of performing. While at WCU, he has played in countless pit orchestras and performed with the Wells School of Music Symphony Orchestra at the PA Music Educators Association, the WCU Marching Band at the Rose Bowl Parade, and the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps.
CJ loves being able to move people as a result of his performance. “If I am able to make someone involuntarily stand up, I’ve done my job effectively.”
CJ works with students throughout the area. He says, “I feel that music as a magic that is hard to articulate. Each person has their own experience with music and I would love to be able to facilitate musical learning.”
Jonathan Colman
guitar, Bass, piano (Virtual Only)
Jonathan Colman has been writing, recording & performing music for the past 16 years, 4 of which he spent at Duquesne University earning his Jazz Performance degree. While a skilled Guitarist, his main voice is Electric Bass. His penchant for jazz-steeped improvisation carries over into his lessons, which focus on practical application of theory for reading music and beginning to write one's own, and gaining a deep understanding of the songs that inspire us to play in the first place.
An avid performer, Jonathan plays in a slew of Philadelphia bands; most notably his avant-groove trio, Chen City & with electro-soul artist Kate Faust.
Christina Samar
Guitar, Piano, Voice, Ukulele
Christina Samar joins Greensleeves as a versatile musician with a specialty in voice and skill in piano, guitar, and ukulele.
Christina is currently completing a degree in Studio Composition at WCU. There, she has been Music Director of the competitive a capella group Under A Rest. During her time teaching and leading the group, she arranged two award-winning sets (Outstanding Arrangement Award and Semifinalist Runner-Ups) and produced the 2022 Live Studio Album and the 2023 Live Music Video. She is currently producing High Street Harmonix’ upcoming Studio Album as well. Thanks to Under A Rest, Christina was awarded the WCU Leader Award along with two other WCU Leaders in 2023.
Alongside her extracurriculars, Christina specializes in writing and producing her own original music. She’s grateful to Dr. Arne, Dr. Cooper, and Dr. Maggio for being the best Studio Production and Songwriting professors.
A highlight of Christiana’s musicianship was in the winter of 2022 when Under A Rest opened for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. It was a privilege for her to direct music and join the group in this special performance.
As a teacher, Christina believes in play. She says, “What’s the point in technical abilities without the emotion and soul behind it? Every student should feel as if music is a new adventure to explore and it’s my job as an educator to guide them in the right direction!”
Taylor Dale
Guitar, Piano, Violin, Voice, Ukulele
Taylor is a graduate of Westminster Choir College with a Bachelor's of Music in Theory and Composition. During her time at Westminster, she studied voice and piano, as well as sang in the world renowned Westminster Symphonic Choir. With Symphonic Choir, she had the privilege of performing with the The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center under the direction of famous conductors such as Yannick Nezet-Seguin and Alan Gilbert.
In a less classical sense, Taylor also plays guitar, violin and ukulele. She played in folk-rock bands and has her own projects including a 5 track EP (available on all musical platforms) called "Beautiful Words". She also has done many rock choir shows- including the entirety of Kanye West 808's and Heartbreak album and a QUEEN tribute concert. She truly enjoys playing and teaching music from nearly every genre and category. She was also picked as one of the greater Philadelphia region's top singer/songwriters in 2018, and loves helping other young artists begin to write their own music.
Taylor has been teaching music for nearly 10 years now- and through her past experiences she has learned that every student learns in a different way (also known as the multiple intelligences theory). Once she is able to figure out which style of learning is best for you (i.e. auditory, visual, kinesthetic), she will use that method to create a successful approach to lessons. Taylor believes in finding and fueling what makes each student passionate about their chosen instrument and music.
Clifford Morin
Clarinet, Flute, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone (Virtual Only)
Clifford Morin has hit the ground running this fall, teaching students throughout the area on multiple instruments.
Clifford graduated with a Masters in Music from Temple University, where he studied Jazz Performance on the saxophone and spent a semester at the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music, Netherlands. He earned his Bachelors in Music from West Chester University, where he also studied Jazz Performance on the saxophone and minored in Jazz Piano.
Clifford is a leading voice in today’s generation of saxophonists. His extensive resume includes performances with Graham Lesh, the Philadelphia String Quintet, Arturo Stable, John Swana, Ustad Shafaat Khan, Chien Chien Lu, Joe Lovano, John Faddis, Ann Hampton- Callaway Jimmy Heath, Sean Jones, Terell Stafford, and Dick Oatts.
Clifford has performed in festivals, clubs, theaters, concert halls, and radio stations around the world in the Pop, Rock, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Indian and World Music genres. He has also composed for groups such as the Philadelphia String Quintet.
During the summers of 2014, 2015, and 2019, Clifford was selected to be an artist in residence at the Boysie Lowery Jazz/Composition Residency in Wilmington, DE, where he recorded in Philadelphia’s WRTI studio, composed, performed, and studied under leading jazz artists.
As a teacher, Clifford has taught Saxophone, Improvisation, and Composition at the university level as well as with private students. Being a multi-instrumentalist, he also teaches guitar, piano, flute, and clarinet as well as Indian Karnetic rhythms, music theory, jazz improvisation, and arranging/composting.
Clifford brings together the knowledge, tradition, modern technique, and evolving possibilities of music in his instruction. Clifford enjoys showing students the most efficient tools to achieve fluidity on their instruments.
