about us

Mischa

Mischa Goldman is a Knoxville, Tennessee–based musician, educator, audio engineer, and music technology specialist. He is active as a performer, recording professional, and instructor, with a career that bridges live performance, music production, and higher education. Goldman serves as Associate Professor of Audio Production Engineering at Pellissippi State Community College, Instructor of Music Technology at the University of Tennessee and Technical Director for the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.

As a performer, Goldman is known primarily as a bassist and has appeared with a variety of ensembles and community music events throughout Tennessee. He has performed with The Ink Spots, The Symphony of the Mountains, Christabel and Jons, The Streamliners Swing Orchestra and Jazz group Claymation.

His career reflects a blend of artistic performance and technical expertise, making him a respected figure in Knoxville's music and arts community.

valerie

Valerie Sanders is a multi-instrumentalist, music educator, and the Director of the Middle School Jazz Band for the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra (KJO). A passionate advocate for youth music education, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She is an active member of professional networks like the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) (formerly MENC) and the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (ETSBOA).

Through her work with the KJO educational pipeline, Ms. Sanders coordinates regional auditions, guides rehearsals at West Valley Middle School, and develops foundational skills in young instrumentalists. Her mentorship prepares middle school students from across East Tennessee to advance into the Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra and thrive in the regional music community.

jonathan

Jonathan Maness is an East Tennessee–based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and audio engineer best known for his versatile acoustic guitar and mandolin work.
Rooted heavily in traditional bluegrass, he incorporates elements of classical, jazz, blues, and world music into his live performances. In 2011, Jonathan co-founded the Clinton, Tennessee–based Americana duo WestWend with his wife, Wendy Maness.

Offstage, Maness is active behind the mixing console. As an engineer and producer associated with Anteflow Records, he has worked on numerous studio projects across East Tennessee. Whether performing live, recording in the studio, or crafting acoustic arrangements, Jonathan Maness remains an active figure in Tennessee's roots music community.

Sarah Jean

Sarah Jean Cammisano is a versatile, classically trained violinist and professional fiddle player known for bridging the gap between rigorous classical technique and traditional Appalachian fiddle styles. Based in East Tennessee, she has spent nearly two decades performing as a freelance solo artist, live-looping experimentalist, and collaborative musician. Since 2016, Sarah has been a resident performer for The Dollywood Company in Pigeon Forge, bringing regional heritage music to life on its main stages. Passionate about community engagement and mentorship, she maintains a private teaching studio and regularly partners with local arts organizations to inspire the next generation of string players.

Larry

Larry Vincent is an acclaimed jazz guitarist, composer, and educator whose music blends traditional jazz elegance with contemporary and international influences. Originally from Mérida, Venezuela, Vincent has spent decades performing and teaching in the United States. He is a fixture of the regional jazz scene, regularly performing with the Larry Vincent Quartet and collaborating with prominent ensembles like the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra. As a recording artist, his albums In Exile and A Look Inside showcase both his intricate original compositions and his distinct interpretations of Venezuelan classical works. Alongside his active performance career, Vincent shares his expertise as an Associate Professor at Pellissippi State Community College, teaching music theory, jazz improvisation, and guitar. He is listed as coauthor of the textbook Hearin’ the Changes with renown jazz educator Jerry Coker.

martin

Martin Whitaker is a dynamic drummer and a vital anchor of the Knoxville, Tennessee jazz community. Known for his impeccable clockwork swing and versatile rhythm, he frequently performs with the region's premier large ensembles, including the acclaimed Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and The Streamliners Swing Band. Equally at home driving a full 17-piece big band or locking into an intimate trio groove, Martin has collaborated with top regional talents like guitarist Chad Volkers and saxophonist Jason Thompson. His rhythmically driving style, expressive syncopation, and deep respect for the jazz tradition continue to make him a sought-after heartbeat for stages across East Tennessee.