Instructor of Music
Biography
Bill has over 45 years experience on bass, beginning in the Toledo public schools. He is the solo bassist with the Amadeus Orchestra, and is heard frequently in the pit at signature theater. He served over 26 years with the US Air Force Band, and also performs with the National Philharmonic orchestra. Previously he held principal positions with the Akron and Knoxville symphonies, and performed with the Detroit Symphony. Bill earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Bowling Green State University and Akron University respectively. While at Bowling Green, he won Outstanding Bassist/Soloist awards at the Elmhurst, Ohio State University, and Mid-Am Conference jazz festivals. His teachers include Harold Robinson, Scott Haigh, Robert Gladstone, Paul Ellison and Richard Cioffari. He studied electric bass with Anthony Wellington. Bill has had the pleasure of appearing with numerous world renowned artists in his career. Among them are Ray Charles, Jake Shimabukuro, Richard Stoltzman, George Shearing, Roy Clark, Jose Feliciano, Joseph Silverstein, Al Jarreau, Lee Greenwood, Chaka Khan, Leona Mitchell, Richard Carpenter, Peter Cetera, and Toni Tennille. With a deep and abiding love for 60's Rock, R&B, 70's funk, Jazz and Swing, Bill is known for bringing a melodious, danceable groove to any music he plays. Bill previously served on the faculties of Shenandoah University, BGSU, and Montgomery College.