Battle of the Bands - Info

William studied violin for 10 years, but always had more of a passion for creating music than playing it. While teaching English as a second language in Taiwan for 10 years, he started composing educational children songs to compliment lesson plans. He believes in "making learning delicious" one song at a time. You can find some of his works on www.YESnack.com “Music makes life interesting. If you’re having fun, you must be doing something right.”

Jenny Langer is an Entertainment Specialist at EastCoast Entertainment, the largest entertainment agency in the US (and former Assistant Site Director at B2R Bethesda? Only if you want to include that.) Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she has performed on stage since she was five years old. In 2003, she moved to Boston after receiving a World Tour Scholarship and Outstanding Musicianship Award from Berklee College of Music. She is best known for her vocals with the internationally touring blues and roots band Moonshine Society. When not performing in the US and abroad, she is often hired as a session and jingle vocalist in Boston, NYC, DC, and San Francisco.

Maddy O'Neill-Dean is a musician and music teacher. She has been a member of several traditional Irish music bands in the Washington area including her current one - The Irish Breakfast Band. She has played for years in pubs, festivals, and concerts. She is also Chair of the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE), a world wide Dublin-based music and dance organization whose goal is to preserve and promote Irish traditional music and culture. She is director of the annual CCE Irish Folk Festival in Fairfax. Maddy is also director of Music Together in Falls Church which is an early-childhood music program.

Suzanne Thweatt is currently pursuing a second Master’s Degree at The New School in New York City. She works for Warner Music Group as the Washington DC/ Baltimore area College Rep. She does publicity, marketing, and sets up promotions for artists when they tour the DC area. Prior to working with Warner Music Group, she was the East Coast Correspondent for British Indie Rock-N-Roll zine Black Velvet Magazine for several years. She wrote CD reviews, concert reviews, interviewed musical artists, photographed artists and penned a column called Rockin’ America and attended up to 100 concerts per year.