Advertisement
Cleveland Rocks: PPF’s Professional Development Workshops focus on a different music-related topic including music technology, business, networking, and professional development. We invite guest speakers and panelists to lead these workshops, as well as offer demos and interactive experiences to attendees. **
OCTOBER WORKSHOP:
Orchestration in the Scene: Working With a Variety of Instruments and Musicians
• Curated by: Jessica Jonczyk (Rustic Skies)
• Panelists: Kristopher Morron, Brandon Hoff, Alex McPherson, Kasey Moore
**
Join us for an educational session on the logistics behind incorporating unique instrumentation in various genres.
Topics discussed include:
• Ensemble and Acoustics – How to balance the volume of differing instruments, What technology is needed
• Expectations Between Differing Genres – Payment and Arrangements
• How to Find Musicians
• Synthetic MIDI or Real Instruments – Live vs Recording, What is your sound?
Directly following the workshop will be the 2x4 Songwriter Showcase (4 artists, 2 songs each).
Featured artists: Kasey Moore, Alex McPherson, Judy June De Angelis, and Alexis Julia
**
About the Panelists and Artists:
---Kasey Moore ---
Kasey Moore is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, performer, and music educator based in Columbus, Ohio. She began playing violin at the age of four and studied classical violin for nearly a decade before discovering bluegrass music, a genre that quickly became her passion.
Since diving into bluegrass, Kasey has built a career as a touring musician and versatile string player, performing on fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. She began her professional touring career at 17 years old with the Alex Leach Band and has since performed and toured with a variety of bluegrass, pop and country artists. Her career has taken her to stages across the country, including the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and on international tours in Ireland, Canada and the Bahamas. She currently performs full-time with Jenny & the StreetWalkers, a Columbus based all female bluegrass band.
Alongside performing, Kasey runs her own private teaching studio, working with violinists of all ages and skill levels. She is passionate about both performing and teaching, and about encouraging the next generation of musicians to find their own voice through music. Outside of music, Kasey enjoys running, crocheting, and spending time with her cats.
---Kristopher S. Morron---
Kristopher S. Morron (“skinnyk”) is a Cleveland-based conductor, composer/arranger, and educator whose work connects contemporary orchestral music with rock, jazz, and film. He has served as Music Director and Conductor of Contemporary Youth Orchestra since 2021 and conductor of the Cinematic Symphony Orchestra since 2024.
Morron arranged the majority of the orchestral music and conducted Night Ranger’s 40 Years and a Night with Contemporary Youth Orchestra, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover chart. He has also created complete orchestral programs for Chayla Hope and Neil Zaza. His premiere credits include works by Vince Mendoza, Pascal LeBoeuf, Dana Hall, Katie O’Hara-LaBrie, Gala Flagello, and Nubia Jaime-Donjuan.
His film work includes orchestrating and conducting music for the Central Great Lakes Emmy-nominated CIFF46 campaign trailer and conducting the recording of Scott Hallgren’s score for the short film Photography. When Hallgren’s score received a 2025 Central Great Lakes Emmy Award nomination, Morron was formally recognized by the chapter for his contribution to the project.
Shaped by years as a professional trombonist, Morron brings a collaborative perspective to the podium. He holds music education degrees from Bowling Green State University and Case Western Reserve University.
---Alex McPherson---
Alex McPherson (He/Him) is a freelance musician and music educator based in Northeast Ohio. McPherson performs regularly in many contexts, including in musical theater pits, orchestras, jazz ensembles, rock bands, and many more. McPherson is currently performing with local bands Friendship Bracelet (Trumpet, Guitar, Vocals) and Messmaker (Trumpet, Guitar, Vocals) and has previously performed with Three Thirty (Guitar, Vocals).
An avid songwriter, McPherson connects with audiences through introspective lyrics and powerful vocals, as well as unexpected melodic trumpet lines. When writing a new song, McPherson seeks to capture the feelings of a moment in his life. McPherson’s many years as a Brass musician have given him a desire to find ways to include that in performances in the hopes of introducing a different idea of what Rock music can be.
If you want to hear some of McPherson’s original music, be sure to check out Friendship Bracelet’s bandcamp at https://friendship-bracelet330.bandcamp.com/
---Brandon Hoff---
Brandon Hoff is a Cleveland-based electric violinist and endorsed Wood Violins Viper artist known for delivering high-energy performances that fuse classical training with modern rock power. Mentored by Mark Wood (original violinist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Brandon has built a reputation as a versatile performer across solo work, private events, and as frontman of the 6-piece cover band Bridge The Gap. His mastery of the 7-String Fretted Viper — combined with advanced effects processing and a deep catalog of classic rock solos — allows him to seamlessly perform everything from orchestral arrangements to guitar-inspired shreds. With a viral video amassing nearly 3 million views, regular performances at major venues including House of Blues Cleveland, Mentor Rocks, Rockin’ on the River etc, Brandon brings both technical proficiency and engaging stage presence to any project.
---Alexis Julia---
Alexis Julia is a singer/songwriter and pianist whose music blends heartfelt lyrics with piano driven production.
---Judy “June” De Angelis---
Judy “June” De Angelis is a multi-faceted Cleveland artist, musician, and visual artist whose work combines alternative rock, orchestral textures, and visual storytelling. Inspired by The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, and my Chemical Romance, along with Surrealism, Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, and Art Deco, she brings music and visual art together as a unified creative expression. A lifelong musician, June began as a violist before teaching herself guitar to pursue songwriting and form a band. She founded Glass Aeros in 2014 and released the EP Sunset Revelations in 2021. She is currently completing Glass Aeros’ debut full-length album, Scars to Stars, and its accompanying visual artwork, while continuing to perform viola, learn cello, and collaborate with other musicians. With a background in fine arts and glassblowing, her fascination with glass inspired the name Glass Aeros. June is an active member of Cleveland’s music and arts communities and also works as a veterinary assistant while pursuing her veterinary technician license.
**
This event is made possible with support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and Ohio Arts Council.
Advertisement
Event venue
Visible Voice Books, 4601 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102-3440, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.