The ABI Teaching Artist Fellowship

Devin is a classically trained bassoonist who earned degrees through the Mannes College of Music under the tutelage of Marc Goldberg and Manhattan School of Music under Kim Laskowski. Devin was a two-time featured soloist with the Hartford Symphony as well as the runner up in the Musical Club of Hartford Young Artists Competition. Devin's passions lie mainly in orchestral performance and chamber music with a continued interest in teaching, so that he may spread the benefits of this art form with as many students as he can.

Devin Cohen is a recipient of the Wendy Livingston Scholarship through his participation in the ABI Fellowship program.

Jackie Traish is a musician, teaching artist, and arts administrator based in New York City. She is a graduate of the Mannes School of Music at the College of Performing Arts (MM '2018, PDPL '20) under the instruction of Judith Mendenhall (principal flutist of the American Ballet). Her love of collaboration with other artists has given her the opportunity to perform with world-renowned programs and ensembles, such as The Lion King on Broadway, the Martha Graham Dance Company, New York City Ballet Choreography Institute, International Contemporary Ensemble, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, The Chelsea Symphony, and the Metropolitan Opera. She has performed in venues such as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, New York City Center, and Joe’s Pub. As a lover of contemporary music, musical theater, and opera, Jackie has had the opportunity to perform in many workshops, recording projects, and world premieres of newly-written works. It is her passion for interdisciplinary art that has guided her music and artistry throughout her career thus far. She is also an active private teacher (both flute and ukulele), and teaching artist for multiple organizations in the community. When she isn't running around the city performing her heart out, she can be found drinking coffee of all types, singing in the park, enjoying a good book on the train, and talking to anyone who will listen!

Learn more about Jackie on Instagram at @jackie_traish or at www.jackietraish.com.

Jackie Traish is a recipient of the Julia Slavin Scholarship through her participation in the ABI Fellowship program.

Michael Manzi is a Brooklyn based musician, playwright, actor, and aspiring drama therapist. He is an ASCAP registered songwriter and the lead singer of indie-rock band "Hearts Open". With international production experience, Michael has developed a knack for throwing events that showcase artists and bring people together. He believes that art belongs to everyone, and should be used to affirm our humanity. Michael is a current graduate student at NYU Steinhardt's department of Drama Therapy.

Learn more about Michael at @TheMichaelManzi on Instagram or at www.themichaelmanzi.com.

New York City-based flutist Steph Dressler is passionate about the music of our time. Her upcoming album, Pieces of Me, features original poetry and blends contemporary flute sounds with ambient electronics to create an intimate reflection of her lived experiences. She has had the pleasure of performing new music across the U.S. at prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and is a recent graduate of Manhattan School of Music where she was a flutist in the critically-praised contemporary ensemble Tactus. Performance highlights include eight summer concerts with the Atlantic Music Festival’s Contemporary Music Ensemble, and her European premiere with the oNSET Collective in Weimar, Germany.

Steph was recently appointed as Flute Faculty at Music in Chappaqua in upstate New York. She additionally maintains a private flute studio in New York City and virtually via zoom. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in kindness, deep awareness, and self-compassion.

Her primary flute teachers include Tara Helen O’Connor, Roberta Michel, and Tracey Schmidt.

Steph is proudly from a small town in central Pennsylvania and currently resides in the Bronx, New York.

Learn more about Steph at www.stephdresslerflute.com.

Ella Mack (she/her) is a performer, arranger, and all-around silly person who is delighted to join Art Beyond the Ink as a fellow! Previous escapades include singing at venues such as Symphony Space and Carnegie Hall and dancing with the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers. Currently she works as a gelato maker and works on arranging and other mischief in her spare time.

Learn more about Ella at @ellamackncheese on Instagram.

Savannah Gentry is an award-winning flutist who is committed to creating collective meaningful experiences. She is currently a National Flute Association Young Artist quarter finalist and is looking forward to competing in the live rounds of the competition in August 2023 in Phoenix, AZ. Gentry won second place at the Kentucky Flute Fair Quartet competition and was a finalist in the University of Oregon’s Concerto Competition.

As a new music collaborator, Gentry has performed with Noise Catalogue, The BeCome Ensemble, SPLICE ensemble, the Oregon Bach Festival Composer Symposium, and Caballito Negro as a guest artist. As a recent graduate of the Contemporary Music Program at the Manhattan School of Music, Gentry had opportunities to collaborate with her teacher, the acclaimed Tara Helen O’Connor, and the world- renowned Lucy Shelton in concerts with the Tactus ensemble. She was drawn to New York’s music scene from attending “The Studio” where she was inspired by extended flute techniques, composing, and improvisation from the Project Trio members. Savannah has performed in venues such as Rockwood Music Hall and National Sawdust where she collaborated with Nia Franklin.

Gentry is an active freelancer now based in New York City performing with many ensembles, notably Protestra, the Greenwich Village Orchestra, Newport Symphony Orchestra (OR), Orchestra Next, the Mostly Modern Festival Orchestra, and the Eugene Symphony Orchestra.

As a soloist, Gentry created Human Nature, a thoughtful performance of flute and electronic works about humans and our relationship with nature. She has performed with the 5pm series and as a guest artist with the Oregon All-State Women’s Choir.

Under the tutelage of Thomas Robertello, she achieved her Master of Music at Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music. Gentry holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Oregon with Molly Barth where she was given the Outstanding Undergraduate Award upon graduation.

Learn more about Savannah at www.savannahgentryflute.com.