Pulling Strings Academy Faculty
Rebecca Closson holds a Bachelor Degree in Violin Performance from
Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL and a Master Degree in Violin
Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She is a
member of the American String Teachers Association and the Suzuki
Association of the Americas. Mrs. Closson held the Professorship of Violin
at Judson College in Elgin, IL in 2005 in addition to her position as creator
and director of a successful private music program in Chicago, IL. Pulling
Strings Academy of Pittsburgh, as established by Rebecca Closson, is in its
fifth year of success.
Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL and a Master Degree in Violin
Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She is a
member of the American String Teachers Association and the Suzuki
Association of the Americas. Mrs. Closson held the Professorship of Violin
at Judson College in Elgin, IL in 2005 in addition to her position as creator
and director of a successful private music program in Chicago, IL. Pulling
Strings Academy of Pittsburgh, as established by Rebecca Closson, is in its
fifth year of success.
Ashley Pappal is a free-lance flutist and pianist in the Greater
Pittsburgh Area. Ashley studied flute at Duquesne University with
Jennifer Conner and received her primary chamber instruction from
Gretchen Van Hoesen. Her piano instructors include Ken Burky and
Rebecca Wilcox. In 2005, Ashley won the Duquesne University
Concerto Competition. From 2004 to 2006, she was the Assistant
Marching Band Director at South Park High School. Ashley currently
teaches flute and piano at Pulling Strings Academy. Ashley is also
Music Director at Port Vue United Methodist Church.
Pittsburgh Area. Ashley studied flute at Duquesne University with
Jennifer Conner and received her primary chamber instruction from
Gretchen Van Hoesen. Her piano instructors include Ken Burky and
Rebecca Wilcox. In 2005, Ashley won the Duquesne University
Concerto Competition. From 2004 to 2006, she was the Assistant
Marching Band Director at South Park High School. Ashley currently
teaches flute and piano at Pulling Strings Academy. Ashley is also
Music Director at Port Vue United Methodist Church.
Franklin Nino was born in Caracas and started playing the cello at the age of
10 in the Youth National Orchestra Program in Venezuela. Prior to coming to
the United States he was a member of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra and
principal cellist of the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Symphony Orchestra. Franklin
was a coach, teacher and conductor for the many national youth symphony
orchestras, as well as cello professor for the Emil Friedman Music Conservatory.
A former Cello Mentor for the Greater Erie Youth Symphony and Westmoreland
Touring Orchestra, he currently teaches cello in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. He
plays for the Ohio Valley and River Cities Symphonies. A member of the Faure
String Trio, he received his Artist Diploma degree from Duquesne University
where he studied with Misha Quint and Anne M. Williams, principal cellist o f the
Pittsburgh Symphony.
10 in the Youth National Orchestra Program in Venezuela. Prior to coming to
the United States he was a member of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra and
principal cellist of the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Symphony Orchestra. Franklin
was a coach, teacher and conductor for the many national youth symphony
orchestras, as well as cello professor for the Emil Friedman Music Conservatory.
A former Cello Mentor for the Greater Erie Youth Symphony and Westmoreland
Touring Orchestra, he currently teaches cello in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. He
plays for the Ohio Valley and River Cities Symphonies. A member of the Faure
String Trio, he received his Artist Diploma degree from Duquesne University
where he studied with Misha Quint and Anne M. Williams, principal cellist o f the
Pittsburgh Symphony.
Josie Kost is an active, Pittsburgh-based freelance flutist
and private flute and piano instructor. She holds degrees
in performance from Wheaton College (Bachelors of Music)
and Duquesne University (Masters of Music, Artist
Diploma), and is principal flute in the Greenville Symphony
Orchestra (PA). She has performed with the Firelands
Symphony Orchestra, Altoona Symphony Orchestra,
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theater of
Pittsburgh, and the Aeolian Winds of Pittsburgh. Ms. Kost
is adjunct professor of flute at Duquesne University where
she conducts the University Flute Choir. She also teaches
at Pulling Strings Academy, Hope Academy of Music and
Arts, and SoundColor Productions.
and private flute and piano instructor. She holds degrees
in performance from Wheaton College (Bachelors of Music)
and Duquesne University (Masters of Music, Artist
Diploma), and is principal flute in the Greenville Symphony
Orchestra (PA). She has performed with the Firelands
Symphony Orchestra, Altoona Symphony Orchestra,
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theater of
Pittsburgh, and the Aeolian Winds of Pittsburgh. Ms. Kost
is adjunct professor of flute at Duquesne University where
she conducts the University Flute Choir. She also teaches
at Pulling Strings Academy, Hope Academy of Music and
Arts, and SoundColor Productions.
Lauren Janosco began playing the violin at the age of eight in the North
Allegheny School District in Wexford, PA. Throughout her musical
training, she studied violin with Pablo Ardiles, Peter Snitkovsky, and
Rachel Stegeman. She received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education
from Duquesne University. From 2008-2009, Lauren was an elementary
and high school orchestra director for the Elmira City School District in
Elmira, NY. Currently, Lauren is a strings teacher at McMurray Elementary
in the Peters Township School District. She also teaches violin at Pulling
Strings Academy and is a member of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic
Orchestra. She is a member of MENC: The National Association for Music
Education, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, and the American
String Teachers Association.
Allegheny School District in Wexford, PA. Throughout her musical
training, she studied violin with Pablo Ardiles, Peter Snitkovsky, and
Rachel Stegeman. She received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education
from Duquesne University. From 2008-2009, Lauren was an elementary
and high school orchestra director for the Elmira City School District in
Elmira, NY. Currently, Lauren is a strings teacher at McMurray Elementary
in the Peters Township School District. She also teaches violin at Pulling
Strings Academy and is a member of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic
Orchestra. She is a member of MENC: The National Association for Music
Education, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, and the American
String Teachers Association.
Musician Brian Pappal is a versatile and active performer, educator, and arranger. Equally at
home in the classical, jazz, and popular music idioms, he maintains an active performance
schedule in the Pittsburgh area on Piano, Organ, Trombone, and Voice. He appears regularly
with his jazz piano trio, and is the pianist for the Tuesday Night Big Band and the Pittsburgh
Doo-wop Big Band. Classically, he is active as a chamber musician and accompanist, and
frequently collaborates with the other members of the Pulling Strings Academy faculty. He
currently serves as the Music Pastor at Peters Creek Presbyterian Church in Peters Township
where he overseas a diverse and growing music program. Wishing to foster a love and
knowledge of music in the next generation, Mr. Pappal maintains an active teaching studio in
the South Hills, and has recently joined the faculty at Pulling Strings Academy. He was the
Marching Band Director at South Park High School from 2004-2006.
Mr. Pappal received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from Duquesne University. He
has studied classical piano with David Allen Wehr, jazz piano with Alton Merrell, Organ with Rich
Franklin, Voice with Claudia Pinza, and Tenor Trombone with Peter Sullivan and Murray Crewe.
home in the classical, jazz, and popular music idioms, he maintains an active performance
schedule in the Pittsburgh area on Piano, Organ, Trombone, and Voice. He appears regularly
with his jazz piano trio, and is the pianist for the Tuesday Night Big Band and the Pittsburgh
Doo-wop Big Band. Classically, he is active as a chamber musician and accompanist, and
frequently collaborates with the other members of the Pulling Strings Academy faculty. He
currently serves as the Music Pastor at Peters Creek Presbyterian Church in Peters Township
where he overseas a diverse and growing music program. Wishing to foster a love and
knowledge of music in the next generation, Mr. Pappal maintains an active teaching studio in
the South Hills, and has recently joined the faculty at Pulling Strings Academy. He was the
Marching Band Director at South Park High School from 2004-2006.
Mr. Pappal received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from Duquesne University. He
has studied classical piano with David Allen Wehr, jazz piano with Alton Merrell, Organ with Rich
Franklin, Voice with Claudia Pinza, and Tenor Trombone with Peter Sullivan and Murray Crewe.
Cello lessons for Jonathan Lusher began at the age of four. Since
Honorable Mention at age seven in the St. Paul Strings
competition-Junior division to First in the Michiana String Teachers
Association annual competition, he has been actively performing in
ensembles and professional orchestras, as well as performing solo work.
Jonathan has given a number of chamber recitals since 2002, and
founded the Innocenti Quartet in Cincinnati. He has collaborated with
many orchestras, including the New West Symphony, Culver City
Symphony, West Shore Symphony, and many others. He has studied
with Steven Doane (Eastman School), Hans Jorgan Jensen
(Northwestern), Erling Blondal Bengtsson (University of Michigan, Royal
Danish Conservatory), and Yehuda Hanani (College-Conservatory of
Cincinnati). He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of
Michigan School of Music, and a Masters Degree and Artist Diploma
from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati.
Jonathan has been teaching cello since 1997, but has been living in Mt.
Lebanon since 2009 after having recently moved from Los Angeles,
California.
Honorable Mention at age seven in the St. Paul Strings
competition-Junior division to First in the Michiana String Teachers
Association annual competition, he has been actively performing in
ensembles and professional orchestras, as well as performing solo work.
Jonathan has given a number of chamber recitals since 2002, and
founded the Innocenti Quartet in Cincinnati. He has collaborated with
many orchestras, including the New West Symphony, Culver City
Symphony, West Shore Symphony, and many others. He has studied
with Steven Doane (Eastman School), Hans Jorgan Jensen
(Northwestern), Erling Blondal Bengtsson (University of Michigan, Royal
Danish Conservatory), and Yehuda Hanani (College-Conservatory of
Cincinnati). He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of
Michigan School of Music, and a Masters Degree and Artist Diploma
from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati.
Jonathan has been teaching cello since 1997, but has been living in Mt.
Lebanon since 2009 after having recently moved from Los Angeles,
California.
