Jonah Springs

Originally from Greensboro, NC, Jonah received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Greensboro College in 2019. While completing his degree, Jonah actively performed as a classical and commercial trumpet player throughout NC and the east coast. He has performed with a variety of ensembles and artists such as The Camel City Jazz Orchestra, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The John Brown Big Band, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ernie Watts, The Piedmont Wind Symphony, The Chairmen of the Board, the traveling broadway production of “Chicago” the musical, and many others. After Completing his degree, Jonah relocated to Austin, Texas where he currently attends the University of Texas at Austin as a Jazz Graduate Teaching Assistant and studies with Dr. Mike Sailors.

Gene Centeno

Gene Centeno is a professional saxophonist and music educator. He obtained his Bachelors in Jazz Saxophone Performance from Texas State University. He has performed and recorded with many artists locally and nationally, such as, Grupo Fantasma, The Latin Players, Andre Hayward, Greg Boyer, The Temptations, Prince, Maceo Parker, Sheila E and many others. Originally from San Antonio, Tx, he enjoys calling Austin, Tx home since 2014. He takes part in Austin’s rich musical environment and is proud to be a Graduate Jazz Student and TA at the University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music.

Juliana Silveira

Juliana Silveira is a Brazilian pianist who graduated from Santa Marcelina University (São Paulo-Brazil). She took part in a wide range of different bands from the rich music scene in São Paulo, from big bands and singers projects to piano solo concerts, having performed in various important stages in the city. In 2017 she moved to Austin, Texas, where she continues her work as a performer and educator while pursuing a Master’s Degree in Jazz Piano Performance at the University of Texas.

Mark Scott

Mark is a jazz guitarist, songwriter/composer, and educator based out of Austin, Texas. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a degree in Jazz Studies & currently serves as a Teaching Assistant for The University of Texas’ Jazz Program.

As an accomplished guitarist, Mark works regularly as both a leader and a sideman. He has performed in many notable venues, including the Meyerson Symphony Hall, Parker Jazz Club, Klyde Warren Park, the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival & others. He has done session work at The Panhandle House, Reeltime Audio, 5th Street Studios, Cedar Creek Recordings, and elsewhere. As a jazz musician, he has been fortunate enough to perform or work with luminaries John Fedchock, Eric Alexander, Johnny Pate, David Lord, & others. As a studio musician, Mark’s playing can be heard on Yu Nishiyama’s “Gloomy Suite,” Sara Finkle’s EP “Sink or Swim,” as well as on upcoming albums by Great Jelly, The Orange Peeling Committee, Sol Y Motion, Pierson Keating, & others.

As an educator, Mark has advanced training and experience teaching jazz performance, improvisation, music composition, music theory, & songwriting. Additionally, he has served as a judge for the TMEA All-State jazz guitar competition. With over 8 years experience as a Teacher, Mark takes a holistic approach to education: he uses the experience of learning as an avenue for self-expression and self-betterment. Over the years, he has developed specialties in teaching improvisation, songwriting, ear-training, & cultivating an artistic voice, among other areas.

Ryan Hagler

Bassist and educator Ryan Hagler is an Austin native and current DMA student at the Butler School of Music. He holds bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees in jazz studies from the University of North Texas, where he spent two years as a member of the acclaimed One O’Clock Lab Band, with whom he recorded two albums, Lab 2008, and the GRAMMY-nominated Lab 2009. From 2012 to 2020, Ryan served as professor of bass and ensembles at the College of Music of La Universidad San Francisco de Quito, in Ecuador. Ryan has performed across the United States, as well as in South Korea, Thailand, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, and Europe. He has shared the stage with Bernard Wright, Melissa Aldana, Mike Moreno, Quamon Fowler, Shelley Carroll, Ephraim Owens, and many more.

Teaching Assistants