Play Better

Mark Huff

30 Years Teaching Experience

Violin and Bass

Mark Huff was born in Ohio and has his Bachelors in Music from Miami University of Ohio, a Masters Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Doctorate from the University of Alabama

Dr. Huff is a member of the Huntsville Symphony and teaches bass at the University of Alabama Huntsville, University of North Alabama, Florence, and at the Huntsville Strings Shop where he also teaches violin. Dr. Huff also performs with the Moondust Big Band and has several compositions including his Christmas duet series.

EDUCATION

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL – DMA
Dissertation: Parable and Persichetti’s Concept of a Musical Parable
Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, OH – MM
Miami University, Oxford, OH – BM

CONDUCTING EXPERIENCE

Madison City Community Orchestra
Music Director
Select music, recruit members, plan rehearsals and performances

Toney United Methodist Church, Toney, AL
Music Director
Selected Hymns, plus choral and special music with the pastor for the service, recruited and rehearsed the choir and band or other groups as needed.

Hazel Green United Methodist Church, Hazel Green, AL
Director of Children’s Choirs
Selected music including annual musical, rehearsed and recruited members, and made arrangements of the instrumental parts for the musical.

Suzuki Strings of Cullman, Cullman, AL
String Ensemble Conductor
Selected music, rehearsed and conducted performances.

Madison Community Orchestra
Assistant Conductor

Lauren Clardy

8 Years Teaching Experience

Violin/Fiddle

Lauren Clardy is multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and vocalist. She began playing music at a young age, winning her first of many fiddle contests at just twelve years old, including titles in the Alabama State fiddle championship as well as finishing in the top ten at the Grand Master’s fiddle championship in Nashville, TN. At only twelve years old she was also featured on a local bluegrass television show filmed in Nashville, TN. More recently Lauren was featured on CMT’s “Empowering Education” tour as an opening act. Lauren has traveled with her family band since 2013 playing fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and singing as far west as Winslow, AZ, as far north as Nova Scotia, Canada, and as far south as Galveston, TX. She began teaching fiddle at 14 years old and continues to give private lessons for a variety of instruments. Lauren was given the “outstanding music student” award at her previously attended college, and most recently was awarded the “Songwriter’s Dream” scholarship as well as the “Music Scholar Award” for her leadership in the music program. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Martin Methodist College.

Miguel Ramirez

20+ Years Teaching Experience

Violin

Kara Hurt

Piano

Kara Hurt earned her Bachelor’s in Music with an emphasis in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. 

Kara grew up studying piano with Huntsville piano teacher Laura Rasnick for ten years. During Kara’s time at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, she studied piano under Dr. Melody Ng and Dr. Steven DiBlasi. Performing at the piano, Kara had the honor of performing in a masterclass with renowned performing artist Katherine Chi. Among her performance experiences, she performed for an audience in Beijing, China through the first ever trans-pacific performance on the Yamaha DCFX piano. During college, Kara served as president for the UAH’s Music Teachers National Association collegiate chapter. She also had the honor of presenting her ethnomusicology research at the Alabama Symposium for Young Music Professionals. In 2020 she was awarded by AMTA for her undergraduate research studying the eye saccade patterns during sight reading sheet music using advanced eye tracking software. 

Passing on to students a love for learning and a love for creating music through studying the piano is Kara’s passion. Kara has taught in the Huntsville area for six years. She strives to support a student’s individual musical interests while introducing them to a broad range of music styles and building up a solid musical foundation in music reading, technique, composition and theory, playing by ear, improvising, and performing.

Kara is an active member of the Alabama Music Teachers Association, volunteering at music competitions and teacher conferences. She enjoys serving as a judge for music competitions such as the Huntsville Music Study Club annual festival. Additionally, Kara has been playing for churches since she was young. She enjoys playing for weddings, choirs and performs original music at singer/songwriter events in Huntsville.

Russ Holder

Dobro & Lap Steel

MUSIC EXPERIENCE

2005–Present    Cristina Lynn, Chuck Rutenberg, Russ Holder Duo & Trio – Huntsville, AL

Resonator/DOBRO^TM Guitar, Mandolin, Pedal/Lap Steel & Vocals

• Assigned numerous lead and backup vocals
• Perform 100+ Americana, Country/Rock/POP, Adult Contemporary & Originals

Perform at Private Events, Weddings, Merrimack Hall, 801 Franklin, Huntsville Country Club, Furniture Factory, Huntsville Concerts in the Park, Madison Street Festival, Panoply, Bluebird Café -Nashville, Ledges Country Club, Valley Hill Country Club, Westin/Bridge Street Concert Series, US Space & Rocket Center, Humphrey’s, US Army – Redstone Arsenal, Von Braun Civic Center, Decatur Concerts in the Park, Mooresville Brick Church, Creekside Plantation, 1^st Methodist Church, Willowbrook Baptist Church, Whistlestop Festival & Burritt Museum, BBQ Caboose/WLIJ Radio – Lynchburg, TN.

1993–Present    Music Instructor and Freelance Studio Musician – Huntsville, AL

Pedal Steel Guitar, DOBRO^TM Guitar & Mandolin

• Teach Resonator/DOBRO^TM Guitar and Lap Steel at the Huntsville Strings Shop
• Freelance Performance and Studio Recording Work

Provide innovative personal instruction on Resonator/DOBRO^TM and Lap Steel. Perform utility studio work for various projects. Worked at ColdWater Studios – Coldwater, TN (James Hudson), Sound Cell Studios –Huntsville, AL (Doug Smith), Toy Box Audio –Madison, AL (Tim Gibbs), Jeff Wood Studios – Nashville, TN (Jeff Wood), The Construction Zone (Greg Clements), River Studios – Park City, TN (Reece Kimmons), Homeland Studios – Birmingham, AL (Ed Jones), Glass Productions – Nashville (James Glass), Startling Fresh Studio – Jim Cavender. Performed at special shows with Chad Brock, Charlie Louvin, Ken Mellons, Brad Wolf, Kylie Harris, Billy Droze, Gary Nichols, Shelly Bush, Lee Marshall, Anita Lynn Palmer, Susie Nolen, Tom Swatzell, Sharon Hancock & Dixie Diesel, Leon Venerable, Walker Street Opry Band, Randy Waller, Kata Hay & Cari Loose.

2018–Present    Grasstronauts/Heart of Grass – Huntsville, AL

Resonator/DOBRO^TM & Backup Vocals

• Perform Americana, Contemporary/Traditional Bluegrass

Perform at Private Events, Burritt on the Mountain, Whistlestop Festival, EarlyWorks Museum, Huntsville Strings Shop, Ledges Country Club, Stovehouse, Weeden House Garden, BBQ & Bluegrass Festival.

2014–Present    The Woodpickers – Huntsville, AL

Resonator, Resonator/DOBRO^TM, Mandolin & Lead/Backup Vocals

• Perform Americana, Country/Rock/POP, Adult Contemporary & Originals

Perform at Private Events, Merrimack Hall, Ledges Country Club, MARS Music Hall, Furniture Factory, Constitution Hall Village, Lowe Mill, Jackson Center & Campus 805.

2012–Present    Stillwater Bluegrass – Huntsville, AL

Resonator/DOBRO^TM, Mandolin & Lead/Backup Vocals

• Perform Americana, Contemporary/Traditional Bluegrass

Performed at Private Events, Constitution Hall Village, Ditto Landing, Campus 805, Panoply, Von Braun Center, Ditto Landing, Slawburger Festival (Fayetteville, TN), Host of Christmas Past (Fayetteville, TN), Pine Mountain Music Hall (Remlap, AL), Camp Winnataska (Pell City, AL), Concerts in the Park (Fayetteville, TN).

1999–2006        Duane Walker & the Desperado Band – Huntsville, AL

Pedal Steel Guitar, DOBRO^TM, Mandolin & Backup Vocal

• Assigned numerous instrumental and backup vocals roles
• Perform 155+ Traditional, New Country, Southern Rock, & Oldies selections

Performed at Tootsie’s, Legend’s, The Stage, Robert’s, Second Fiddle, (Nashville), Jim’s (Shelbyville), Panoply, Big Spring Jam, Whistlestop Festival, Panoply, Sports Page, Concerts in the Park, Strawberry Festival-Mobile, Rhododendron Festival-Mentone, National Bar-B-Q Championship, National Racking Horse Championship, RiverFest, Georgia Mountain Fair, Festival of the Oaks-Muscle Shoals, Heritage Festival – Anniston, Panoply, Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Guntersville State Park Lodge. Opened for Craig Morgan, Larry Gatlin, Ricky Van Shelton, Yankee Grey, Mark Wills, Chris Cagle, Travis Tritt, Pam Tillis, Wynona, Brad Martin, Tammy Cochran, Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton, Ronnie McDowell & Charlie Daniels.

2006–2008        Hog Wild Band – Huntsville, AL

Pedal Steel Guitar, Resonator/DOBRO^TM, Mandolin & Backup Vocal

• Assigned numerous instrumental lead and backup vocal parts
• Performed 125+ Traditional, New Country, Southern Rock, & Oldies selections

Performed as a member of the House Band at the Hog Wild Saloon. Performed with the band at other venues such as: PJ’s-Muscle Shoals, Holiday Inn-Muscle Shoals, Russellville Watermelon Festival and other area Festivals.

1997–2000                    Cari Loose & the Schoolhouse Band                  Huntsville, AL

Pedal Steel Guitar, Resonator/DOBRO^TM & Backup Vocals

• Assigned numerous instrumental lead and backup vocal roles
• Performed Top 40 New Country selections
• 1998 State of Alabama Champions in the True Value/Jimmy Dean Country Showdown Talent Search, Performed at Panoply, Big Spring Jam, Concerts in the Park, Rodeo’s Dance Club, Madison Street Festival, Dothan Peanut Festival, Silver Springs Park – Florida, Gibson Guitar Café – Nashville, TN. Opened for Billy Dean, Allison Krauss, JoDee Messina, Sara Evans, Chad Brock, Dixie Chicks, Trisha Yearwood.

1993–Present                Latham String Quartet                Huntsville, AL

DOBRO^TM, Guitar, Upright Bass, Mandolin & Vocals

• Provide lead/backup arrangements, lead and alto vocals
• Perform Gospel, Americana & Celtic Acoustic music
• Selected to perform at the Methodist Annual Conference and Birmingham Southern College (Birmingham, AL)
• Perform special music programs at area Church and Community events

1978–Present                Holder Brothers Band                 Huntsville, AL

DOBRO^TM, Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Vocals

• Perform lead/backup instrumental work, lead and backup vocals
• Perform a variety of Acoustic, Country, Country/Rock, Bluegrass & Singer/Songwriter covers & originals
• Perform at numerous Music Festivals, Talent contests, Corporate Events and Private Parties throughout the Tennessee Valley Area, Gibson Showcase Theatre, Bluebird Café & Broken Spoke – Nashville, Radio – WBHP, WLAY, WLIJ, WSM.

1975–1978                    Dixie Strings                              Huntsville, AL

DOBRO^TM & Vocals

• Provided lead/backup arrangements, backup vocals
• Performed Acoustic, Country and Contemporary/Traditional Bluegrass
• Performed on WAFF TV, WBHP radio, and Showcase of the Arts-Von

Braun Civic Center, Local/Regional/Southeast Champions in the “Mid-South Talent Search”

TECHNICAL & MUSIC EDUCATION

B.S. Management Information Systems, University of Alabama – Huntsville, 1982

M.Sc. Computer Science, Southeastern Institute of Technology,1986

Received Formal instruction in Piano, Guitar, Voice, Resonator/DOBRO^TM, Pedal and Lap Steel Guitar.

Participated in several Resonator/ DOBRO^TM workshops.

Provide instruction on the Resonator/DOBRO^TM and Lap Steel Guitars.

AWARDS/MUSIC VIDEOS/FEATURED PERFORMANCES

First Place, International Music Association (Sandusky, OH), Steel Guitar Solo

Second Place, International Music Association, Steel Guitar Duet

First Place, International Music Association, Group/Band

First Place, Mall Music Festival, Band

First Place, Madison County AL Jaycees North Alabama Talent Search

First Place, Mid-South Talent Search, Jackson, TN

Third Place, Mid-South Finals, Memphis, TN Civic Center

Third Place, Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler’s Convention, Old Time Singing

Second Place, Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler’s Convention, Band

Third Place, Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler’s Convention, Old Time Singing

Fifth Place, Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler’s Convention, Band

Second Place, Cahaba Shrine Bluegrass Festival, DOBRO^TM

Second Place, Tennessee River Festival (Florence/Muscle Shoals), DOBRO^TM

First Place, Jimmy Dean Country Showdown Talent Search-Madison County

First Place, Jimmy Dean Country Showdown Talent Search-State of Alabama (Dothan, AL)

Second Place, Jimmy Dean Country Showdown, Southeast Region Finals- State of Florida (Silver

Springs, FL)

Year of Alabama Music Songwriter’s Contest, North Alabama Regional Finalist

Music Videos:

“Live to Ride, Ride to Live” – Smith & Wesson, Great American Country (GAC) Productions

“List of Things to Do” – Lee Marshall, Lee Marshall Music, Inc.

“My Heart Won’t Let You Go” – Duane Walker; Comcast Productions, Inc.

NBC Country Showdown Finals  – WSM/Opryland Productions

“Little White Stones” – Cristina Lynn/Russ Holder, Construction Zone Studios

“Alabama Mountain Lake” – Russ Holder/YouTube, Construction Zone Studios

Featured Performances:

Performed as a special guest and backup musician at the Museum of Appalachia Tennessee Fall Homecoming (Knoxville), Opryland Theme Park & Hotel events (Nashville), Halekulani Hotel (Waikiki, HI), Hawaii Okinawa Center (Waipahu, HI), Harry’s Music Center (Honolulu, HI), Parker’s Ranch (Waimea, HI), Frontier Ranch (Columbus, OH), Alabama Music Hall of Fame (Tuscumbia), Jimmie Rodgers Festival (Meridian, MS), Gibson Showcase Theatre (Nashville) Goosepond Resort, DoubleHead Resort, NASA-MSFC Shuttle Celebration, Station Inn, Joe Davis Stadium, North Event Center – Atlanta, Iowa State Fair and various South East Music Festivals.

Performed at Big Spring Jam (Huntsville) on the WDRM Stage, each year from 1996 to 2006 with various artists.

Instruments/Equipment

2005 Gibson Custom Shop DOBRO^TM

1997 Tom Swatzell Limited Autograph Edition Resonator/DOBRO^TM Guitar (#27)

1974 Custom Autographed Resonator/DOBRO^TM Guitar (by Ed Dopera-Inventor of the DOBRO^TM)

1974 Round neck Resonator/DOBRO^TM  

1995 Emmons LeGrande II D10 Pedal Steel (8 Floor pedals, 4 knee levers)

1942 Gibson Electric Hawaiian 150 Lap Steel

1971 Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar

1986 Martin HD-28 Acoustic Guitar

1998 Gibson/Epiphone F-style Mandolin with pickup

2001 Fender A-style Mandolin with pickup

2001 Fender Nashville Power Telecaster

1965 Fender Jazzmaster Electric Guitar

1951 Custom Ukulele

1997 DOBRO^TM Acoustic Bass

Peavy XR684 PA System with 15” Speaker Enclosures and floor monitors

Peavy PVM22 Microphone and boom stand

Sennheiser 835 Microphone and boom stand

Shure SM57 and SM58 Microphones and stands

Peavey Nashville 1000 Combo Amp with Calzone road case

Peavey Nashville 112 Combo Amp

Peavey Backstage Plus Amp

Use a selection of Fishman Aura preamps; McIntyre, Barcus-Berry, Bill Lawrence, Gold Thinline Pickups; Emmons/GFI Volume Pedals, Line6 POD, Dunlop Phase Shifter, Boss Blues Driver, Boss RV-3 Digital Delay/Reverb (as appropriate)

Oscar Newman

30 Years Teaching Experience

Violin , Cello, Guitar

Oscar Newman is a professional musician and dedicated teacher of strings. He has more than thirty years experience teaching music to students of all ages. He offers string instruction on a variety of string instruments as well as study in music theory, improvisation and composition. A graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelors degree in string bass performance, Oscar earned his Masters of Music Education degree from Alabama A&M University. He studied under renowned bassists, Jeff Bradetich, Eddie Gomez, Barry Green and Frank Proto while at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Oscar has played with numerous orchestras, including 12 years with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, several of those as principal bassist. He served as assistant conductor of the Metro Youth Orchestra and conductor of the Debut Orchestra for 15 years. Oscar retired from the Madison County Schools after twenty five years of teaching strings and general music. He maintains a private teaching studio. An accomplished bassist in both classical and jazz music including solo guitar, he has performed professionally with jazz groups for many years. In addition to bass and guitar, Oscar is an experienced teacher of cello, violin, mandolin and ukulele.

Gary Gilbertson

35 Years Teaching Experience

Guitar and Keyboard

Adrienne Tabor

12 Years Teaching Experience

Violin, Viola, Cello

B.A. in Instrumental Music Education from Tennessee Tech University

M.A in Music Education from the University of Tennessee