Music Faculty
Diana Anderson has been on the TSA orchestra faculty since it's founding year. Mrs. Anderson teaches Beginning and Intermediate Strings and assists with the Advanced Orchestra, as well as organizing and coaching string chamber music ensembles. Mrs. Anderson also serves as the liason between TSA's ARTner, the Toledo Symphony, in coordinating the Community Lesson Program's participation at TSA. Diana Anderson has a Bachelors degree in Violin Performance from Cleveland Institiute of Music, as well as a minor degree in European History from Case Western Reserve University. Diana Anderson also has certification in the Suzuki String Method which emphasizes teaching very young students in group and private settings, teaching most of what the students learn by ear. Mrs. Anderson applies many of these techniques to students of all ages. Diana Anderson is in her 22nd year performing as a core member of the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Opera orchestras. She also has maintained a studio of private students for over 25 years.
Jamie Dauel has been teaching chorus and piano at TSA for six years. She has worked as an accompanist for The Toledo Repertoire Theatre, the Oregon Community Theatre, The Village Players, The Toledo Opera, The Toledo Symphony, Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra, and Toledo Public Schools. Her most challenging artistic endeavors were role portrayals in the musicals "Cowgirls" and "A, My Name is Still Alice". Jamie graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, and is currently pursuing at Master's of Music Education degree from the University of Toledo.
An accomplished musician, Mr. Desmond graduated with honors from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s in Music Education, where he won the Hassenhall Concerto Competition and later served as Visiting Assistant Professor. He also holds a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music. He has performed with the Toledo Percussion Trio, the UT Faculty Jazz Ensemble, the Toledo Symphony, Colorado Symphony and Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, including performances with Yo-Yo Ma, James Galway, The Moody Blues, and has recorded with the Denver Brass. In addition to TSA, Mr. Desmond also teaches for the Toledo Drum School, and can be seen as a rock and jazz drummer every weekend in various clubs throughout the area.
Randy Sobel has been playing guitar since he was 13, and has been teaching guitar, bass, and mandolin for over 20 years. Randy has played in numerous local bands including Equinox, Jump Start, The Rize Band, and East River Drive. He also gives private lessons at Valley Music in Maumee, where he does instrument repairs and sales. His current band, East River Drive, has played numerous benefits to help several good causes. He also recently played guitar on the Mitch Albom radio show.
Randy was recently nominated for the Disney Teacher of the Year Award. His students all agree that his wit and humor make his classes fun and meaningful.
Jay Welenc currently conducts the TSA Studio Orchestra, String Orchestra, Studio Winds, and Beginning and Intermediate Band. He also instructs Music Seminar and Music 7/8. Mr. Welenc oversees the chamber wind and string ensembles, and the TSA Holiday Ensemble.
Since joining the TSA faculty in 2002, his ensembles have earned top festival honors, and perform a variety of concerts and presentations each year. The TSA Orchestra continues to add to the list of road appearances which now include Cedar Point, Disney World, Williamsburg, Columbus, Chicago, and New York
Mr. Welenc is active in the Ohio Music Education Association and the Jazz Education Connection of Ohio. He has served as Chair for OMEA Solo & Ensemble and Honors Jazz Festivals, presented lectures and performances at several state and national education and music conferences, and has written for educational journals and websites. Mr. Welenc served on the committees to write the state ‘Arts & Communication’ Career & Technical Education Standards in Ohio.
A music educator since 1981, Mr. Welenc directed high school band, choir, and jazz ensembles in Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio prior to his years at TSA; his ensembles have performed all over the eastern U.S. and in Canada, earning numerous honors and awards. In addition, he has served as a department chair, festival/event chair, and mentor teacher. He previously instructed jazz ensemble at Owens Community College in Toledo.
A native of Chicago, Ill., Mr. Welenc has performed as an instrumentalist and vocalist over the years in a variety of music ensembles across the Midwest. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Quincy University (Illinois), a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Iowa, and a license in Career and Technical Education completed at the University of Toledo. Mr. Welenc also holds a permanent Ohio teaching certificate in vocal and instrumental music.
Mr. Welenc has been nominated by his students for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and for the DisneyHand teaching award. He has also been recognized by two of his previous school districts for his work with the band programs.
Mr. Kenneth Zuercher is in his fifth year as an instructor at TSA. He graduated from the University of Toledo in 1976 with a Bachelor of Education with a major in Instrumental and Vocal Music. At TSA he has been teaching the Jazz Combos and assisting with the Pop Combo. He also is teaching guitar lessons and Guitar Class. Mr. Zuercher has been a performing musician on Guitar and French Horn since 1968. He has recently been a member of the Hepcat Revival band that specializes in Jazz,Blues and Swing music.
He also has 20 years experience as a Broadcast Engineer and Recording Engineer. These experiences have enabled him to instruct a Theater Tech class at TSA.