Steven Albini

Accordion player extraordinaire Steve Albini is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. His performances of Italian music fused with jazz and world rhythms have brought him international acclaim.

He has enchanted audiences throughout the United States and Italy with a blend of musical virtuosity and artistic passion. Steve’s live performances span Italian, world, jazz and Latin American genres.

As a studio musician, he is often called upon by artists, composers, and producers to add his touch to their projects. Steve also has a background in retail music sales.

Steve resides in Northern California with his family. Steve joined Roland Corporation U.S. in June 2001 and is currently the V-Accordion Product Manager.

Rosemary Bailey

Rosemary Bailey began playing the piano at the age of five, performing strictly classical music. She soon diversified and incorporated jazz and traditional popular styles in her repertoire. By the time she was nine years old, Rosemary had begun touring throughout the United States. Concurrently, she maintained a weekly radio show, The Rosemary Bailey Show, broadcast from Chicago.

Rosemary has performed with many name artists, including Victor Borge and Pete Nero, as well as the Duke Ellington Orchestra. She was also featured soloist with the Chicago Symphony under the direction of Dr. Leon Stein. At home on electronic as well as pipe organs, her concert schedule has taken her to such countries as Japan, South Africa, Canada, Italy, Spain, England, Holland, Denmark, Portugal, Germany and Australia.

Rosemary’s unique arrangements involve the marriage of her classical and popular music background. Perfect pitch enables her to effortlessly field requests from the audience and adds spontaneity to all her programs. Rosemary has developed a following of musical devotees wherever she performs and her numerous recordings are sought after by young and old alike.

Alicia Baker

Alicia Baker is a 20-year-old, self-professed music fanatic from Milwaukie, Oregon. She has been playing the accordion since the age of six, as well as studying piano and voice. Alicia currently attends Oregon State University, where she is in her Junior year as a triple music major, working toward degrees in music education, piano performance, and vocal performance. Her future dreams include teaching choral music, along with performing every chance she gets!

Alicia has had much success on the accordion, winning various competitions including the “Happy Hans Open” at the Kimberley International Old-Time Accordion Competition in 2007, 2010 and 2011. In addition, in 2009 Alicia won the privilege of representing the U.S. at the Roland International V-Accordion Competition in Rome, Italy. She has since performed solo concerts at the Kimberley & Leavenworth Old Time Accordion Festivals, American Accordion Association Convention, Cotati Accordion Festival, and the NAMM show. In addition, Alicia performed the 3rd movement of Nikolai Chaikin’s accordion concerto in B-flat major with the Corvallis symphony in October 2011.

Alicia strives to play all genres of music well, showing the versatility of her abilities and of the instrument. Some of her favorites include polkas, french musettes, jazz, pop, and techno. Alicia currently works for Roland as an accordion product specialist, where she hopes to continue spreading the joy of accordion music as well as increase the popularity of this wonderful instrument.

Scott Berry

Scott Berry started playing keyboards at age 13 when his father brought home a Roland JUNO-60. As soon as Scott began tinkering with the JUNO-60, he was hooked and he promptly dropped his original plan to be the next Eddie Van Halen and began his journey of playing keyboards. That JUNO-60 would become the first in an ever growing arsenal of keyboards and workstations to be used by Scott for years to come.

By age 14, Scott was already writing his own music and jamming with local musicians. Shortly after his 16th birthday, he got his first taste of a recording studio and started playing the local circuit (Orange County and LA /The Sunset strip). In the years that followed, he opened for such acts as Blue Oyster Cult, Hurricane, TNT, and Warrant, and started working with an A&R rep from CBS Records. Later, Scott enrolled into Orange Coast College and studied Music As a Business and Recording Techniques to further his education—all the while continuing to write music and perform with original bands.

Over the last 20 years, Scott has also played in church worship bands, worked as a studio musician and in music retail as a department manager and top salesman. He has played on a variety of albums of different musical genres and did a stint as a DJ on a New York-based radio station. He is also an accomplished cabinet maker and business owner in Southern California.

Scott’s latest musical endeavor is playing keyboards in a progressive metal tribute band that performs in Southern California. He has always enjoyed film scoring, producing and recording, and continues to further his knowledge by reading all the latest materials that he can get his hands on.

O’Lyn Callahan

O’Lyn Callahan began studying music at the age of nine on the piano, eventually switching to organ at age 14. O’Lyn’s studies continued through her time at Fresno State University where she ultimately earned her master’s degree in classical organ performance.

O’Lyn spent nine years as an international keyboard artist. In that time, she was voted “Best Female Organist” by The Organist Magazine’s readership poll, as well as becoming a national finalist in an international organ competition.

In 1981, O’Lyn began a 14-year venture into business, opening O’Lyn Callahan’s Piano & Organ Center in Sarasota, FL. O’Lyn became the third woman elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Music Merchants during this time.

Throughout O’Lyn’s diverse career in the music industry, she has fostered a love for teaching, performing, and recording that continues to this day.

James Day

James Michael Day is a highly-respected pianist, composer and music producer living in the SF Bay area. His extraordinary musical talent became apparent when he began performing at the age of eight. Now as a full-time musician, James regularly performs throughout the U.S. while also dedicating himself to composing, producing and teaching music. He has had some very cool jobs in the industry including serving as organist for the San Jose Sharks NHL team, playing dueling pianos in many different settings, and now working for Roland as a product specialist. He is also a church music director and owns a recording studio in the Bay area.

Johnny DeMarco

Johnny DeMarco hails from the home of rock—Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from the University of Akron, Johnny got into the local music scene as a guitar teacher and performer. He also received considerable notice throughout the Midwest as a founding member of the DeMarco Brothers band. After relocating to Las Vegas, Johnny spent several years playing the casino circuit in Nevada.

Johnny joined Roland in 2000 and continues to amaze audiences across the country with his vast range of musical styles and guitar techniques. If you meet him, ask him to play “The Entertainer” on a guitar...piano style!

Rick DePiro

Currently National Sales Support Specialist for Roland Corporation U.S., Rick was recently recognized as Roland’s Artist of the Year.

Spanning the pop, R&B, jazz-standards, classical and adult contemporary genres, Rick’s 2000+ performances worldwide include the Miss America Pageant, Christopher Reeve Benefit, An Evening at the Met with Kool & the Gang, USWA-AFL/CIO Constitutional Convention, numerous state fairs, jazz festivals and amphitheater performances. He has also performed at the White House Governor’s Reception and privately for the President and Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Rick and members of his band previously toured and performed with various artists, including Melissa Etheridge, Janet Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Michael McDonald, David Foster, Quincy Jones, Natalie Cole and Earth, Wind & Fire. In addition, Rick has copyrighted and published over 200 original songs.

Ed Diaz

Ed Diaz is a multi-instrumentalist from Houston, Texas, with over 20 years experience in music, starting at the age of 13.

Ed has performed on trumpet and keyboards in many diverse styles of music. In 2001, he earned a Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Texas in Arlington where he performed with the jazz orchestra. His credits include being Musical Director for the Howard Scott Band and keyboardist for WAR.

Ed has spent the last four years working in music retail in Texas, California, and Washington, focusing on sales and management. Since 2006, Ed has brought his talent and musical performance knowledge to a wide range of Roland products as an expert clinician.

Steve Fisher

Steve Fisher is an accomplished drummer/percussionist and a well-known figure in the field of electronic percussion.

Steve’s music background includes playing with North Texas State’s 1 O’Clock Jazz ensemble, Maynard Ferguson, T Lavits, Dizzy Gillespie, Tom Scott, Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Temptations, as well as commercial and movie soundtracks.

As a Senior Product Specialist and Percussion Education Coordinator for Roland, Steve travels throughout the world performing numerous demonstrations on electronic percussion. As a member of the Roland research and development team, Steve is very involved with the concept, design, programming, and performance of Roland's electronic percussion products.

Paul Hanson

Paul Hanson, guitar clinician for Boss® and Roland®, produces and hosts a guitar talk radio podcast called Boss Tone Radio. Find it on iTunes and www.BossUS.com.

Paul tours with major bands – and he works as a guitar coach in Hollywood teaching guitar for leading actors and actresses including George Clooney, Michael J. Fox, Eric Stoltz, Mitch Pileggi (The X Files), Maria Conchita Alonso and Charlotte Ross.

Paul also writes and records music for TV and film. You can hear his music on the main menu of the first Matrix DVD, and on numerous movie previews, including The Fantastic Four and Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Among Paul’s published work are the best-selling guitar instructional book and CD set Shred Guitar (Alfred Publishing), Metal and Rock Improvising (Video, REH), Hard Rock Solos (REH), and Arpeggios for Lead Guitar (Video, Hal Leonard).

At Musicians Institute (GIT) in Hollywood from 1985-2000, Paul was an instructor specializing in rock guitar. In the 1990s, he was director of the Rock Guitar Dept at the American Institute of Music in Vienna, Austria, where he also toured supporting his solo album The Visitor.

Paul has three more solo albums, Paul Hanson Orchestra, Mojave Green, and coming soon Mindscanner, available at www.paulhanson.net.

Ric Iannone

Ric Iannone has been involved in music his entire life. He began playing the piano and accordion at the age of two and a half. By the time he was seven, Ric was performing public and private engagements with his musician father.

For more than 20 years, Ric has performed and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe delighting audiences with his unique playing style and music arrangements. As a concert artist and product specialist, he is equally comfortable playing the organ, piano or keyboard.

Ric enjoys teaching, arranging and conducting workshops. His free time is devoted to creating General MIDI software for his company IM Music. Ric and his wife, Connie reside, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Craig Jones

Craig “CJ” Jones moved to Los Angeles from Texas to attend the Guitar Institute of Technology in 1981. He quickly became part of the local L.A. music scene, touring and performing with artists as diverse as Leif Garrett, Edgar Winter, Susan Anton, Tori Amos and many others.

Besides being active as a studio guitarist, CJ became a staff member of Sunset Sound Recorders. At this world-famous facility, he learned engineering, MIDI sequencing, and hard disk recording techniques. This led him to form JonesTones Recording in Hollywood. During this period, CJ also landed a publishing deal, which resulted in much of his music being used for film and television soundtracks.

Besides composing for film and multimedia, CJ has an extensive background in sound FX design, ADR looping, and Foley recording/editing. CJ brings this experience to Roland Corporation U.S., where he conducts seminars and clinics all over the country. When he isn’t traveling for Roland, you’ll find him playing, writing, producing, and recording in Nashville, his home for the past four years.

Gary Lenaire

Gary Lenaire is a guitarist and composer and is mostly known for his work with the bands Tourniquet and Echo Hollow. He has released 12 records and was nominated for six GMA (Dove) Awards. He received HM Magazine’s “Guitarist of the Year” award from 1994-1996. He has published over 90 songs worldwide, including those found in the Roland VS-2480, BOSS® MICRO BR and BOSS BR-800. Gary continues to make appearances at popular music events.

Don Lewis

“Music is the most powerful way to inspire the human spirit.”

Don Lewis is a visionary who believes that music can and does make a difference in the world. As a child in Dayton, Ohio, music became Don’s “magic carpet” transporting him into a world filled with possibilities of concerts, recordings, and education. Whether performing in Carnegie Hall or touring with The Beach Boys, playing concerts in European cathedrals or jazz clubs in Chicago, Don’s music always brings a message of hope, peace, and inspiration. With his musical roots in church, music became a way of life throughout Don’s school years and adult life.

As a recording artist Don has worked in the studio with the likes of Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendes, Michael Jackson, The Brothers Johnson, and Marvin Hamlisch. He also has scored and produced music for television, film, and commercials. Don has several solo albums available on cdbaby.com.

An early interest in synthesizers and organ led Don in 1977 to create LEO (Live Electronic Orchestra) which Mr. Ikutaro Kakehashi credits as being the “inspiration for MIDI.” It is currently on exhibit at the NAMM Museum of Making Music. Don has led many seminars throughout the world, as well as at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and San Jose State University in music technology. Today, he continues his interest in new technology as a consultant and performing artist for the Roland Corporation.

Don’s commitment to youth resulted in 1987 in the Say “Yes” to Music! program, bringing the importance of dreams, education, and community to children through music. Most recently, he has co-produced the annual “Young Expressions” concerts featuring talented high school students, while mentoring them in the process. An enthusiastic instructor, Don Lewis teaches the course, “Gospel Music a Passionate History,” to students of all ages and continues his music ministry in churches throughout the world. Visit Don’s website at www.donlewismusic.com.

Choy Lozada

Choy Lozada is recognized internationally as one of the premier organists of our time. Originally from the Philippine Islands, Choy was introduced to the organ and piano at the age of seven. In 1979, Choy moved to the United States as a performing artist, product specialist and consultant to research and development for major manufacturers in the U.S. and Japan. Choy and his wife, Fredda, reside in Florida.

With refreshing originality and innovative arrangements, Choy’s music has inspired audiences in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Add this to his great sense of entertainment, distinct style, and incredible keyboard and pedal technique, the result can only be described as the “Choy Experience.”

Choy joined Roland Corporation U.S. in the spring of 2005 and he performs exclusively on the AT-90SL. This is an extraordinarily exciting combination of musical genius and Roland Atelier® technology.

Robert Marcello

Robert Marcello is a masterful guitar artist from Sweden. His skill and stylistic range have made him a sought-after tour and studio player for such artists as John Corabi (Motley Crue), Bobby Blotzer (RATT), Mike Vescera (Yngwie Malmsteen), Tony Montana (Great White), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), George Lynch (Dokken), Twisted Sister, Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Stet Howland (WASP) and many others.

Robert has toured internationally with the band Danger Danger since 2002, including a performance at the famous Sweden Rock Festival in 2004 before an audience of 25,000.

Robert is also a highly-regarded teacher and clinician, and currently travels the country - training guitarists and amazing audiences as a Roland/BOSS artist.

Bobby Nelson

New Jersey native Bobby Nelson has been playing music since the age of eight. He graduated from Rutgers with a degree in Music Theory and Composition, where he studied piano with Frank Martori and composition with Louie L. White. One of his pieces for percussion quartet, SunStone, was chosen for performance in the Charles Ives American Music Festival. He has performed 20th Century classical music with ensembles and with noted composer Charles Wuorinen at Symphony Space, the 92nd Street Y, and Carnegie Hall.

Bobby has been playing in rock bands, jazz groups, and society bands for some 40 years. He has had a passion for synthesizers since his first, the ARP Odyssey. After many years as a top keyboard salesman, he had the opportunity to work for two other keyboard manufacturers for a dozen years prior to Roland. His career has included providing support for Ringo Starr, Oscar Peterson, and Alllen Toussaint.

Rory Nieto

Hector Olivera

Since entering the Buenos Aires Conservatory as a child prodigy at age six, Maestro Hector Olivera has become one of the most sought after and revered international concert organists of the present time.

The Times Reporter describes an evening with Mr. Olivera as:
“An event, a happening, a joyful celebration of the sheer power and pressure that a true virtuoso like Hector Olivera can unleash in a concert hall.”

Born in Buenos Aires, Mr. Olivera began playing the pipe organ when he was three. At age five he played for the legendary EvaPerón;at twelve he entered the University of Buenos Aires and by 18 had performed for heads of state and celebrities throughout Latin America. When offered a scholarship at the renowned Juilliard School of Music in New York, he moved to the United States. Three years later, Mr. Olivera’s outstanding professional concert career was launched when he won the AGO’s National Improvisation Contest.

Mr. Oliverahas performed solo concerts throughout the USA,Europe, Asia,Australia, Central andLatin America, and as guest soloist with prominent symphony orchestras worldwide.

Whether in a prestigious venue like Carnegie Hall,Royal Albert Hall, Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Constitution Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, or in conjunction with a celebrated event like the Olympic games or the Classical Newport Music Festival, the most sophisticated and demanding organ aficionados claim that Maestro Hector Olivera is “one of the greatest organists in the world today.”

Visit www.hectorolivera.com for information about Mr. Olivera’s performance schedule, critical acclaims, CD/DVDs and special events.

Johnny Rabb

Johnny Rabb is a popular global clinician and product specialist for the expressive and powerful Roland V-Drums®. In his productive tenure with the Roland team, he has programmed drum kit patches for the Roland TD-12 and TDW-20 Expansion Board. Johnny also has been featured in or hosted the HD-1 DVD Manual and new DVD representing the flagship TD-20KX V-Drums. He continues to work closely with Roland Japan and the R&D team on product innovation.

Johnny is formally trained and extensively road-tested. Now based in Chicago, he continues to refine his music production, including performance, writing and recording, as well as stick design and digital applications. In his Nashville days, he toured with artists such as Maynard Ferguson, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams III, SHeDAISY, Deana Carter and Mindy McCready.

Today, performing for Roland and with his ingeniously progressive bands BioDiesel and DrumJockeys, Johnny is a favorite with audiences from Tokyo to New York to Madrid to Vienna, from Pittsburgh to Torreon to Atlanta to West Chester.

Fredrick Sanders

Fredrick Sanders’ masterful piano style has brought him before a wide range of enthusiastic audiences, from heads of state to young students at elementary schools. He began studying classical cello at the age of 10, going on to win awards for his outstanding playing. While attending the Dallas Arts Magnet High School, his passion for jazz piano took over.

In his long career, Fredrick has served as a sideman for jazz greats such as Clark Terry, David “Fathead” Newman, and James Clay, and performed at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals. In 1998, he joined the world-renowned Dirty Dozen Brass Band, opening for groups such as the Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, and The Neville Brothers. In recent years, Fredrick has been commissioned by Wynton Marsalis to accompany and record with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra on piano. He has also recorded with notable artists such as Norah Jones and Dr. John, and released two solo albums.

Hearing great music played with passion and integrity has inspired a life of learning that is ongoing for Fredrick. His vision is to reach artists and help them with the process of communicating melody and song with others. By bridging the gap between non-formal and formally trained artists, he believes the present and future arts community will be enriched. Fredrick’s heartfelt desire is to share his gift and understanding with others, helping them to efficiently get the most from their own talent.

Tatiana Semichastnaya

Originally from Moscow, Russia, Tatiana currently performs as an accordionist in the Las Vegas Cirque Du Soleil show KA. Tatiana is a former student of the Gnesin Academy of Music (Moscow, Russia) 1992–1997 where she studied with world-renowned accordionist and professor Friedrich Lips. She also studied at the Queens Conservatory of Music (Netherlands, Holland) in 1999.

Tatiana has competed in and won first place in numerous competitions including, champion of VI Competition in Cherepovets, Russia, in 1991; first place at the Russia National Competition in Astrakhan, Russia, in 1994; champion of the IVth International Festival in Daugapils, Latvia, in 1995; first place at the International Competition “Astor Piazzolla” (Castelfidardo, Italy) in 1995; winner “Best of Russia” in Jakarta International (Jakarta, Indonesia) in 1997; winner of competition in Singapore in Duo “Golden Girls”; winner of International Children Festival “Musical Spring” (Russia) in 1999, and many more. She has performed at the Kremlin in Moscow and throughout the world.

In July 2011, Tatiana was a finalist in the Roland U.S. V-Accordion® Festival competition. Since December 2011, Tatiana has been a Roland V-Accordion Artist and Product Specialist. Recently, Tatiana introduced and premiered the new Roland FR-1X V-Accordion at the 2012 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.

Mike Snyder

You may not know it, but you’ve heard Mike’s work. For 10 years, he was a regular on the Los Angeles recording scene, bringing his special talents to many film and television soundtracks. In addition to every Mel Brooks movie from Spaceballs to Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Mike’s playing may be heard on many popular, syndicated television shows, including Home Improvement, Dinosaurs, and The Little Mermaid. His recording work is included in countless jingles, record projects, music for video, and lots of music and loop libraries.

Returning to the sanity of the Northwest after 10 years of life in Southern California, Mike continues to develop his unique talents. His varied performance abilities keep Mike busy recording, creating drum loops, and giving drum clinics in the U.S. and abroad. Mike holds a Master’s degree in Percussion from The University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s degree in Percussion from The University of Oregon. He is the author of All About...Electronic Percussion, published by Hal Leonard, and a frequent columnist for DRUM! magazine. His continued album tracking and national jingle work as a drummer, programmer, hand percussionist, and composer can be heard on music for Hewlett-Packard, Jeld-Wen, Microsoft, Westin Hotels, and Nike.

Mike has been heavily involved in electronic percussion design since the mid-80s, and his ideas and designs continue to influence the direction of electronic drums and percussion. DRUM! magazine’s Drummies readers’ poll named him runner-up electronic drummer of 2003. Mike continues to enlighten musicians about electronic percussion as a product specialist for Roland Drums and Percussion.

Scott Tibbs

Scott began his musical career at the age of 11 working for Bill Cosby in Las Vegas. By the time he graduated high school, Scott was a seasoned veteran in both writing and performing, working with numerous entertainers such as Lola Falana, Cher, Diana Ross, Wayne Newton, 5th Dimension, Dionne Warwick and many others. It was also in Las Vegas where he began conducting his own orchestra and big band arrangements in the showroom.

After high school, Scott dedicated his time to education, receiving a B.A. in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music, and an M.A. and Ph.D in Composition from UCLA. During these years, he also continued his commercial writing pursuits outside academia. Scott became a very in-demand writer and orchestrator for several films and television shows from the early 90s.

Scott’s music and orchestrations have been played (and conducted by him) by the London Symphony Orchestra, Hollywood Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Polish National Radio Orchestra, not to mention every session orchestra in Hollywood. From BET, the Grammys, television’s “One Tree Hill,” to commercials and film trailers, his music is everywhere in today’s media.

Scott has amassed a large body of music with numerous recording artists such as Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Howard Jones, Bruce Springsteen, Nelly, Lil’ Wayne, Robin Thicke, Bette Midler, Destiny’s Child, Jazmine Sullivan, Amerie, Jamie Foxx, Teddy Riley and more.

Scott joined Roland Corporation U.S. in 1993. Scott currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and family.

Chuck Wright

Chuck Wright, acclaimed concert organist, has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. He has performed on cruise ships sailing from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the chilly waters of Alaska. Chuck’s musical career includes a stint as keyboardist for the Grammy® award-winning The Imperials, the popular gospel back-up quartet for famous artists, including Elvis Presley, Jimmy Dean and Pat Boone.

Chuck’s keyboard virtuosity has been enjoyed by thousands. He takes his audience on a musical adventure, from big band to country, Gospel to theatre, and popular to current hits. It’s a pleasure you don’t want to miss.