Nicholas Young

Nicholas Young is a double bass teacher and performer based in Columbus, Ohio. He currently teaches private bass lessons and coaches the Columbus Symphony Chamber Strings bass section. He comes to this position from serving as bass section mentor of the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra for two years. This summer he will be interning at Peabody Bass Works. He has experience teaching students of all ages and abilities from those just beginning to play to those preparing college auditions. Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Music in performance from Bowling Green State University and is currently a graduate student at The Ohio State University pursuing a master's degree in string pedagogy where he studies pedagogy with Essential Elements author Robert Gillespie and double bass with Paul Robinson. As a performer, Nicholas has played in a variety of groups with emphasis on everything from early to contemporary music and bluegrass to jazz. He is currently a member of the New Albany Symphony and principal bass of the Ohio State Symphony Orchestra. He also performs regularly with ensembles including the Lima Symphony, Toledo Masterworks Chorale, and the Ohio Northern University Symphony Orchestra.

Emily Tarantino

Emily Tarantino is a Pittsburgh-based double bassist and strings teacher. She completed her undergraduate degree at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where she pursued Music Education. She is currently finishing up her graduate degree in Double Bass Performance at Duquesne University, and will begin studies at Carnegie Mellon University next fall. Emily has worked with excellent double bass teachers such as Aaron White (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), Brett Shurtliffe (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra) and Dr. Harry Jacobson (Erie Chamber Orchestra). While living in Pittsburgh, Emily has played with the Westmoreland Symphony, Johnstown Symphony, and Altoona Symphony, in addition to other freelance jobs. She enjoys working with colleagues to play chamber music, and bringing music to the community. In addition to her performing career, Emily is also passionate about teaching and fostering a love for music in her students. ​