Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis congratulates two 2011 YYPA winners on their selection to perform in the 2012 Music for All - Honor Jazz Ensemble and 2012 Music for All - Honor Orchestra

Indianapolis, IN -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/30/2012 -- Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis congratulates two highly talented young musicians, Jasper Dutz and Tom English, on two highly impressive achievements. Dutz and English, winners of the 2011 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition (YYPA) for jazz saxophone and bassoon respectively, were selected to perform in the 2012 Music for All - Honor Jazz Ensemble and 2012 Music for All - Honor Orchestra. These prestigious ensembles showcase the nation's finest high school musicians. Dutz and English, both high school seniors, are the first YYPA winners to ever receive a coveted MFA Honor Ensemble position. The ensembles performed in March in Indianapolis.

"Being selected to participate in the YYPA competition was an invaluable learning experience for me," says Dutz. "The whole process, though highly competitive, was also highly congenial. It taught me a great deal about the value of combining good communication with good musicianship, and I left with a renewed aspiration to become not only a great musician, but also a great person. I truly believe that outlook helped me earn the position at MFA, and I'm extremely positive about the future and what lies ahead."

According to English: "YYPA was one of the most unique solo experiences of my life, allowing me to learn about how to succeed as a performer while having a great time making new friends that are as passionate about music as I am. Participating in the Honor Orchestra of America at the Music for All Festival was also a tremendous learning experience that will surely stay with me as I pursue my passion for music."

According to Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis Director John Wittmann, "Beyond their innate talent and musicality, Jasper and Tom share a passion for their music that makes them both a real inspiration to watch. We're thrilled, though not surprised, at their growing track record of accomplishments."

Dutz's music career started at age seven, when he began playing the clarinet under the tutelage of renowned performer and educator, Darryl Tanikawa. In middle school, Dutz became interested in playing jazz and when he was introduced to the saxophone, he knew there was no going back. Dutz has been a part of multiple jazz groups ever since, and continues to study the saxophone under the instruction of Walter Smith III, Jason Goldman, Gary Foster and Kim Richmond.

Dutz has played at renowned venues such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Alex Theatre, Colburn Conservatory's Zipper Hall, The Jazz Standard in New York and the Blue Whale Jazz Club in Los Angeles. He has also performed with such artists as Dianne Reeves, Joshua Redman, Greg Field, Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, Monica Mancini, and Herbie Hancock. Most recently, Dutz participated as the "Featured Young Artist" in the Yamaha sponsored 1st Annual Disneyland Jazz Festival – an exclusive jazz education, celebration and performance-filled weekend for talented young musicians.

English grew up in Carmel, Indiana, where he began playing the bassoon at age 12 under the instruction of Kara Stolle, principal bassoonist of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. In 2010, he began working with Dr. Doug Spaniol, Professor of Bassoon at Butler University. As a member of Carmel High School, English has performed with several distinguished ensembles, like the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony I, which have played all around the country.

Among his other orchestral activities, English has performed as principal with the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Indiana All-State Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony's Side-by-Side Orchestra, the Honor Orchestra of America, and the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp where he received the Maddy Summer Artist award in 2011.

As a soloist, he has won the ISO's Side-by-Side concerto competition, performed as soloist on the radio program "From the Top," and, just recently, received third place at the Maurer Young Musician's Contest. An avid learner, English enjoys studying history and Latin alongside his music. He has been named a National Merit Finalist for the class of 2012, and plans to attend college in the fall to pursue a degree in bassoon performance.

For more information about Yamaha, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; call (714) 522-9011; email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit http://www.yamaha.com.

About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) is one of the largest subsidiaries of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments and sound reinforcement products to the U.S. market. Products include: Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio equipment, Steinberg recording products and Nexo commercial audio products. YCA markets innovative, finely crafted technology products and musical instruments targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music and installation markets.

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Reggie Young, David Finlayson, David Ragsdale and classical music sensation 2CELLOS added to Yamaha Artist Roster

Indianapolis, IN -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/26/2012 -- Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis expands its roster with the signing of several diverse, gifted and highly accomplished musical artists: trombonists Reggie Young and David Finlayson, violinist David Ragsdale and crossover classical music sensation 2CELLOS.

"These remarkable musicians enrich our celebrated artist roster," said John Wittmann, Director, Artist Relations, Yamaha Corporation of America. "They each bring a unique talent and fresh perspective to the music scene and attract a widely diverse audience. We look forward to helping each of them build on their unique contributions through their association with Yamaha."

2CELLOS is a duo consisting of cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, accomplished musicians who both have played the cello since childhood. Luka recently completed studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, while Stjepan completed his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Both members have performed all over the world at renowned venues including London's Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Vienna's Musikverein and Konzerthaus, and each boasts a slew of first-place prizes in international cello competitions.

Their passionate dueling cellos rendition of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" became a near-instant Internet sensation, receiving over five million hits on YouTube in less than three months. The duo recently launched their debut album featuring unique versions of well-known rock and pop songs, including "Use Somebody" (Kings of Leon), "The Resistance" (Muse), "With or Without You" (U2), "Viva La Vida" (Coldplay) and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana).

Reggie Young (Trombone, Earth Wind & Fire) a Southern California native, began playing trombone at the ripe age of 12. By the time he was 14, Reggie had already played his first professional gig with the Henry Grant Big Band featuring Les McCann and had begun studying privately with world-renowned trombonist George Bohanon. He graduated early from Locke High School to attend the Los Angeles City College where he was subsequently offered an opportunity to tour with Ray Charles and his orchestra at just 18-years old. After touring briefly with Ray Charles, Reggie became music director of several off-Broadway plays in the Los Angeles area.

Since then, Reggie's trombone artistry has taken him around the world to play for dignitaries, queens and kings, as well as two presidents of the United States. Reggie has been the trombonist for the legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire for the past 24 years and has also been an orchestra member of the hit television show, Dancing with the Stars, since its inception in 2005.

Having been born into a military family in Washington, D.C., David Finlayson (Trombone, New York Philharmonic) spent much of his early life in many different parts of the world. He began his music career in Germany at the age of six, where he was first introduced to the piano. However, he found himself more interested in the trombone by the age of 13 and became an avid player. In 1972, he joined the University of Michigan School of Music, which helped propel him into his symphonic career at the Flint Symphony and Toledo Symphony Orchestras.

Shortly after he graduated, David was appointed assistant principal trombonist with the National Symphony Orchestra, where he remained for six seasons before joining the New York Philharmonic as a featured soloist and recitalist. David has performed on stages worldwide and has made appearances on National Public Radio, The Today Show and the National Arts Series. David is also an active teacher of the arts in New York City and holds positions on the trombone faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music and Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music.

David Ragsdale (Violin, Kansas) received his first violin at the tender age of three and has been playing ever since. David studied under the tutelage of renowned classical teachers throughout his life, and in 1980, received a scholarship at the University of Tulsa where he studied with acclaimed instructor Nell Gotkovsky. There, he also played with the Tulsa Philharmonic and moonlighted as a string arranger, violinist and guitarist at what is now Universal Music and Post Studios.

After graduating, David toured with Nashville's Louise Mandrell for four years, followed by a seven-year stint with legendary rock group, Kansas. During his tenure with the band, he also recorded with iconic popular artists, Smashing Pumpkins, Jason Bonham and Queensryche. He recently re-released his solo CD, "David and Goliath," on which he showcases his talent on both the violin and guitar and has also returned to tour with Kansas once again.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit http://www.yamaha.com/press.

About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America is the largest subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of musical instruments and audio/visual products to the U.S. market. Products include: acoustic and digital pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio products, and innovative technology products targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music, and installation markets.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm