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Melissa Murphey
Melissa Murphey has been an avid clarinet player for 16 years. Her fascination with Classic Bellydance music began in late 2001 after taking some bellydance lessons. Since then she has studied Middle Eastern and Mediterranean music exclusively. In April of 2006, Melissa formed the Classic Bellydance Band, Ishtar. Melissa is also the organizer for Jalsah, a participatory Middle Eastern live music and dance community event. The Jalsah brings together like-minded individuals who wish to dance to, drum, and/or play Middle Eastern music together in a casual setting.
Melissa also teaches classes on Understanding Basic Middle Eastern Rhythms for the Non-Drummer and classes on Middle Eastern Music Ensemble where she covers makams (scales), taksims (solos), folk songs, basic rhythms and how it all fits together.
Carmine T. Guida
New York City-based mulitinstrumentalist Carmine T. Guida is a familiar face at Middle Eastern dance and music events throughout the country. A dancers' musician, Carmine is appreciated as an enthusiastic, adaptable, and creative accompanist on both doumbek and oud; Carmine is a member of several music ensembles including Middle Eastern fusion group Djinn and traditional music group The Turkish Band Camp All Stars. Carmine has been featured as a musician on several other CDs and DVDs.
Carmine is an accomplished instructor, teaching doumbek both nationally and internationally. His students compliment his lively and engaging teaching style and his ability to make complex technique and intricate rhythms easy to learn.
Jeff Chmielarski
Roughly twenty years ago Jeff discovered the bass guitar when the electronic keyboard he owned malfunctioned, playing the "rumba "rhythm until its eventual death. Upgrading to a more "rock band" instrument he proceeded to play in many horrible and now forgotten local "rock bands" (except UV! Not horrible- just forgotten! ). Music lessons, school jazz band, college and a few better bands followed. In 2006 Jeff formed Ishtar with Melissa, Mark and Beth and started a new life learning the music of the Middle East!
