STUDIED CLASSICAL COMPOSITION AND CLASSICAL PIANO PERFORMANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL. HE BEGAN TEACHING MUSIC IN 2000 AND HAS BEEN DOING SO SINCE, BOTH PRIVATELY AND FOR VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND MUSIC PROGRAMS. HE HAS TAUGHT ALL AGE LEVELS AND CURRENTLY HAS A PRIVATE STUDIO OF 35 STUDENTS IN MANHATTAN. ON TOP OF TEACHING, HE HAS FORMED AND CONTINUES TO LEAD WHAT HAS NOW BECOME AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED ROCK BAND THAT TOURS AROUND THE WORLD AND HAS ALBUMS RELEASED ON EVERY CONTINENT. HE'S BEEN FEATURED IN THE GUARDIAN, ROLLING STONE, VICE, TAPE OP, THE VILLAGE VOICE, AND ON VARIOUS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMS INCLUDING BBC, FOX, AND WNYC. HE ALSO WORKS AS A FOR HIRE COMPOSER AND PRODUCER, COMPOSING MUSIC FOR PLAYS, FILM, AND TELEVISION HAVING WORKED ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROJECTS FOR EACH MEDIUM AT STUDIOS LIKE CAPITOL RECORDS STUDIO A, AND RESERVOIR STUDIOS NYC.
Dallin Applebaum
voice/piano/songwriting/recording+tech production
is a vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer and teacher. She is classically trained and studied at New York University. She has recorded and performed with Rachel Platten, MATCHBOX 20, Ryan Star, Passion Pit, Phil Phillips, Jillette Johnson, Emanuel and The Fear producers Derek Furhman, Ido Zmishlany, and many more. SHE HAS HAD SONGS FEATURED ON THE OLYMPICS, AND MANY TVS SHOWS. She is currently based in NASHVILLE where she teaches, COMPOSES AND OCCASIONALLY PERFORMS.
Dave Scalia
DRUMS / Percussion
Dave Scalia is a professional drummer, producer, and songwriter based in Nashville and Brooklyn. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he received the Performer’s Certificate for exceptional musical and technical achievement. For over 15 years, Dave has worked with Grammy-winning, multi-platinum, and internationally acclaimed artists including Elle King, Theo Katzman, Sky Ferreira, Miranda Lambert, and Dierks Bentley. He’s appeared on over 50 major TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Sesame Street, and Good Morning America.
As a touring drummer, Dave has performed in over 24 countries at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Glastonbury Festival. His compositions have been featured on HBO’s Big Little Lies, Netflix’s Riverdale, and in commercials for Adidas and the NFL. With deep experience in jazz, rock, pop, and experimental music, Dave brings a versatile, real-world approach to teaching—focused on technique, creativity, and building confident, adaptable musicians.
Leah Rich
Piano / voice
Leah Rich is a child of refugee Soviet musicians. A first generation American, Leah was taught from birth, that freedom of expression is worth living and dying for. After a lifetime spent playing unsanctioned jazz under the oppressive Soviet regime, Leah’s family risked everything to start over in New York City. And there, a new creative powerhouse came to be. Leah’s authentic, urban style bridges the gap between her Soviet Azeri roots, and her metropolitan upbringing.
Leah's anticipated sophomore album, Caspian, seeks to celebrate this cultural fusion and courage. In collaboration with renowned producer Cale Hawkins, Leah has managed to do just that. Caspian is available on all streaming platforms.
Laura Spineti
Piano / voice / Songwriting
Laura Spineti is a Brooklyn-based actor/multi-instrumentalist & certified NYS music educator, with over a decade of experience teaching little ones! She just returned to the city after a stint with YAYA Youth Theatre Company in Shenzhen, China as their resident Music Director/Teaching Artist, and is delighted to be re-joining the wonderful world of children’s theater with the Treasure Trunk team. As a performer, she is a proud member of Actors Equity (AEA), SAG-e, and represented by The Luedtke Agency with extensive stage (and a few screen) credits, including The National Tour of “Annie” – which she looks forward to Music Directing this year! In her free time, you might see her performing at local venues like 54 Below, or co-writing music with other Brooklyn-based composers. After school, she also enjoys teaching private lessons in Voice, Piano, and Composition/Music Theory to all ages! More on www.groove-n-grow-nyc.com
