Adri Young has been on the music scene for several years fronting popular projects including The John Jamieson Band, Ivory Foster and Trace of Grace. A serious songwriter, Adri is a member of NSAI and ASCAP and records her original music at various studios around New York. She has written and recorded on multiple radio jingles as well as recorded with other artists in New York and Tennessee. A long time member and past performer with the Ti-Ahwaga Community Players, Adri feels comfortable on stage in any circumstance. With a background in a variety of musical genres (rock, folk, jazz, pop, blues and country,) Adri's vocal style cannot be pigeonholed nor aptly compared to her contemporaries. Citing such varying influences as Janis Joplin, Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Pat Benetar and even Olivia Newton-John, Adri brings diversity to the stage to deliver a performance to be remembered. We like to think of her as a glimmering light in PRISM.
Bios
Adri Young
Dan Miller
PRISM's woodwind specialist and vocalist, Dan Miller, is a respected music teacher in the Spencer-Van Etten School District in Spencer, New York. Dan received his Bachelor of Music Education degree with Performance Honors from Syracuse University in 1990 and a Masters of Music Education degree from Ithaca College in 1998. When not playing with PRISM, Dan performs with another popular upstate group, Rooster and the Roadhouse Horns. He is comfortable playing all styles of music including classical, Latin, jazz and rock, and he has performed with renowned artists such as Franki Valli, Jerry Vale, and jazz greats Steve Gilmore and Jacque Washington. Dan is past president of the Tioga County Music Educators Association and regularly works as an adjudicator and teacher throughout the Southern Tier of New York State. Dan and his wife Eileen live in Apalachin, New York, and have three great children.
Mike O'Connell
Mike O'Connell is a Binghamton native, and one could say a piano native as well since he began playing at the age of 2! Mike graduated in 2003 from Binghamton University, and he received his Masters in Public Administration from BU in 2005. Mike is an exceptional piano player and has been in demand since the age of 16. He has performed in many bands including In Common Time, the Blue Velvet Dance Band, the Swing Street Sextet, and Rye Bread. Mike has also led his own jazz trio since 2003, with whom he released his first album, Wallpaper Jam, in 2005. Beyond his musical abilities, Mike is an author, host of his own public access television show and publisher of The Binghamton Vanguard.
Ryan Blackwell
Although seemingly the quiet type, Ryan Blackwell isn't so when it's time to crank up the volume. He's been rocking away on guitar for many years and studying various styles of music such as jazz, classical, blues, rap (just kidding) and many others. Aside from his work in PRISM, Ryan also has played for such groups as "This Heavy Cloud" "Fallen Blind" "Ivory Foster" and more. He studied music at Broome Community College with Doctor Michael Kinney and Rich Cerniglia, and he currently attends Mansfield University. Ryan's passion for music doesn't end with playing live; he teaches lessons via the Ryan Blackwell School of Guitar, and he ultimately intends to use his degree to get into the music business scene. Ryan is very grateful that his former jazz band director, Dan Fabricius, recognized his talent and invited him into PRISM.
Christopher Mann
Christopher Mann, trombonist, is a graduate of the Armed Forces School of Music and veteran of the United States Navy Band in San Diego, California. Additional training took place at Ithaca College, Syracuse University Tulsa State University, McGill University, Lebanon Valley College and Binghamton University. His playing experience as a trombonist includes performing with Tommy Tune, Ringling Brothers, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, the Irish Tenors, Wayne Newton, and Olivia Newton-John as well as playing with local groups since 1973. When not teaching private lessons, Chris is in high demand as a performer, and PRISM is pleased to have him shine in the group.
Chris Weber
Trumpeter Chris Weber holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Keene State College, and a Masters degree in Music Education from Ithaca College. He is an instrumental music teacher in Endicott, NY since 1978, and he has been directing the jazz ensemble program at Broome County Community College since 1997, as well. Chris is active as a NYSSMA Adjudicator and guest conductor, and he is the Instrumental Jazz Editor for the NYSSMA publication the "School Music News." Chris adds an outstanding sound to PRISM with his horn playing as well as with his creative percussion instruments. (You must see the frog to understand!) On a side note, Chris can be seen on WBNG's television commercials advertising their Educator of the Week program, an honor also awarded to this very talented man.
Dan Fabricius
Keeping a solid beat for PRISM is drummer, Dan Fabricius. Dan has been with the band since 1986 – back when they were still called “Classy Brass” – yikes! Considered to be one of the leading percussionists in New York, his training, experience, and high level of musicianship make him comfortable playing many styles of music. Besides his work in popular music (as played by PRISM,) you can hear Dan play orchestral music with the Binghamton Philharmonic or big band jazz with the Mason Warrington Orchestra. He also has had lots of experience playing in musical theater in productions such as A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Oklahoma, the King and I, and many other shows. Over the years, Dan has been fortunate to play with many popular entertainers who have been on tour through the area including the Smothers Brothers, Vic Damone, Tommy Tune, Lorrie Morgan, and Ella Fitzgerald. Dan is also a noted music educator in the Southern Tier, serving as Director of Bands at Owego Free Academy as well as the instructor of percussion and conductor of the University Percussion Ensemble at Binghamton University.
Tom Federowicz
Bass player Tom Federowicz teaches English at Chenango Valley High School and has been part of the music and performing arts scene in the Binghamton area since the 1970’s when he started playing with his church folk group and with his 8 brothers and sisters at neighborhood block parties and assorted festivals. During the past 10 years or so he’s kept busy performing with a number of local bands including Tony Diorio’s Blue Velvet swing band, Al Hamme’s Swing Street Sextet, The Mike O’Connell Trio and Jan DeAngelo’s Swing Street Station. Tom is pleased to be a part of the party band, Prism.