The Teachers of BTB School of Music

Ícaro Protásio de Santana

Ícaro Protásio de Santana, is a Brazilian violinist and composer. Ícaro comes from a musical family that has connected him to music all his life. He started playing the violin at the age of 9 under the guidance an outstanding teacher from Venezuela. She was able to help him develop his violin playing and opened several new possibilities, such as chamber music experience, which developed his enjoyment of chamber music and his desire to learn more and more about it.

He received his bachelor’s degree in music performance and Sound Recording Arts at the University of Southern Mississippi under the guidance of Dr. Borislava Iltcheva. He has acquired vast experience playing in several chamber groups including string quartets, trios and chamber orchestras.

Ícaro has played in several orchestras in the Gulf Coast such as the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Meridian Symphony Orchestra and Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. Ícaro Protásio de Santana joins Breaking the Barrier School of Music offering lessons in Violin, Cello, Viola, Bass, Double Bass, Piano, Guitar and Ukulele.

Jonathan Donald

Jonathan Donald has been immersed in the world of music since he was very young. Coming from a musical family, he began taking classical piano at age 6. At age 15 he found an interest in rock music and began teaching himself electric bass and guitar. A couple of years later, he found himself writing songs, and began taking audio engineering lessons in New York City.

Jonathan Donald graduated from NYU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Technology in 2018, and in 2019 released his first album, on which he sang and played all instruments. During the pandemic, he taught himself to play the drums, and subsequently moved to Brooklyn where he taught piano in a classroom setting. After a year volunteering abroad, he now lives with his wife here in the Philadelphia area.

Jonathan has written and recorded music for various projects, ranging from indie short films to animated shorts for the United Nations, and will be releasing his second album of original music sometime in 2025.

Jonathan looks forward to meeting you and starting your musical journey at Breaking the Barrier School of Music. He offers lessons in piano, drum, guitar or bass guitar.

John Spangenburg

John Spangenburg has taught as an elementary/middle school band teacher for over 30 years. He teaches Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, French Horn, Tuba, Violin, Viola, and Cello. John performs with the Diamond State Concert Band (co-conductor), Original Hobo Band, and Salem Brass Society. John Spangenburg has an energetic, dynamic, and fun teaching style! He loves seeing his students excel in their music lessons!

John Spangenburg joins Breaking the Barrier School of Music offering lessons in Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, French Horn, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Drums, and Piano – yes John does it all!

Michele Ferdinand

Michele M. Ferdinand, Music Director & Pianist, has been involved in music since age three.  She’s played many productions including favorites such as The Jingle Man, Fantasticks, My Way, Ragtime, Into the Woods, and more. Michele Ferdinand has also music-directed many productions at theaters & schools including over 80 shows during a five-year tenure at Bucks County Playhouse.

Accompanying is her first love, & she has played for singers & instrumentalists in the quad-state area with theaters such as Bristol Riverside, Walnut Street, Prince Music Theatre, Media Theatre, Philadelphia Area Repertory Theatre, and more.  She also has played for, sung in, & music-directed cabarets, featuring a series with Michael Moeller & Anna Hentz in Bucks County.  Michele has also spent time onstage in Chess, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Importance of Being Earnest, Follies, Into the Woods, Pippin, & The Most Happy Fella.

For over fifteen years, she’s enjoyed teaching voice (singing) & piano in Delaware County.  She’s also laid tracks on several CDs, most recently Do You Hear What I Hear which was a holiday album of students created exclusively to benefit The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Joseph O’Kane

With his B.A. in Music Education from Temple University, Joseph is currently a full time music teacher at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit where he works with a diverse population of students with special needs. Joseph has taught special needs students individually and in both small and large group settings. His instructional methods exemplify his passion for teaching music to the special needs population. He strives to cultivate a fun and inclusive environment tailored to each student’s unique learning style. 

Joseph was a member of Temple University’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee which helped him develop his culturally responsive teaching. These methods are designed to be relevant and relatable to students with varied cultural backgrounds.

Since 2018, he has provided musical instruction for the Ridley High School Marching Band. Joseph also has a background in musical composition, most notably scoring Ridley’s 2022 production “Under the Tent.” 

Joseph O’Kane offers instruction for Voice (singing), Brass, Woodwind, String, Piano, Drum Set, Percussion, and Music Theory.

Zach Volturo

Zack Volturo is currently working towards his bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He is studying at West Chester University with a percussion concentration.

Zack Volturo has been performing music since his childhood, starting in 4th grade band and choir. He continued performing throughout his education; Participating in concert band, jazz band, marching band, concert choir and chamber choir. Zack is also the only student in Sun Valley’s History to attend all three PMEA District Festivals. Zack finished high school as a Tri-M Music Honor Society Member and recipient of 5 senior music awards. 

Now studying at West Chester, Zack is quite involved in the music program. Performing with the WSOM Wind Symphony and Percussion Ensemble. Zack also marches with the Golden Rams’ tenor line. Zack is incredibly excited to pursue teaching, and would love to share the wonderful world of music with all of his students.

Zack joins Breaking the Barrier School of Music offering lesson in Drums / Percussion, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Music Theory and Voice (singing).

Damon Core

Damon Core is currently working towards his bachelor’s degree in Music Business . He is studying at Skidmore College with a voice concentration. Aside from voice, Damon studies piano and classical guitar. Damon has been performing music since his childhood starting in 3rd grade within the choir. He continued performing throughout his education; participating in Theatre, All City Choir, and Chamber Chorus . 

Damon is quite involved within the music program at Skidmore College, where he is currently within a band as the lead singer and guitarist.  Aside from his performance experience, Damon is one of the lead teachers of “Little kids, Big Voices”, a private instructor, and a teacher within our summer camps. Damon is incredibly excited to pursue teaching and would love to share the wonderful world of music with all of his students. Not only is Damon a great teacher, he is also the Breaking the Barrier Social Media Manager, keeping everyone up-to-date on the latest happenings in and around the studio. Damon joins Breaking the Barrier School of Music offering lessons in Voice (singing), Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Music Theory.

Noah Price

Noah Price is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Music Technology, as well as a Music Education certification at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. From a young age, music has been the central element of his life. Noah Price has been playing and performing since he was a child, always finding solace and joy within its rhythm and melodies.

While specializing in jazz guitar during his studies, he enjoys playing a multitude of instruments and style of music. Noah has developed proficiency in drums, bass, piano, and voice, allowing him to approach music from multiple angles and understand its complexities fully.

Throughout Noah’s career, he has been part of numerous ensembles and bands. From 7th grade to 12th grade, he immersed himself in a variety of music genres while performing with both school and out-of-school bands. These experiences forged not only his skills as a musician but also deepened his understanding of teamwork and collaboration within a musical setting. That journey has only intensified his love of music, inspiring him to delve further into its study and performance. Currently, Noah is honored to play in the UNCW Jazz Big Band, where he holds the 2nd chair position. Playing jazz, in particular, where improvisation and spontaneity reign, has enriched his musicality and fostered his creative thinking.

Joseph Carano

Joe Carano is an alumni from West Chester University and earned his B.S in Music Education in the summer of 2020. 

Joe has been playing trombone his entire life. He was in the Statemens jazz ensemble, Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Golden Rams Marching Band and even Men’s Chorus at West Chester.

Over the last 5 years, Joe has been teaching private lessons in partnership with the Episcopal Academy, and continues to be an active practicing and learning musician.

Joe offers instruction in brass instruments at our school.

Nicholas D’Orsaneo

Nicholas D’Orsaneo earned his B.S. in Music from West Chester University along with minors in Music History and Guitar. He went on to receive his M.S. in Educational Leadership from Neumann University with a focus on Special Education and his principal certification.

Nicholas D’Orsaneo has been teaching music within the Philadelphia School District for the past fifteen years. As a general music teacher he has created several successful after school programs including a regionally recognized choir, percussion ensemble, and guitar club.  In addition to his contributions in the public educational system, Mr. D’Orsaneo also teaches private lessons. He has been teaching private percussion, guitar, bass, vocals, and piano lessons since 2007. Many of his private students have become top performers in school ensembles due to the holistic approach from Mr. D’Orsaneo.

Mr. D’Orsaneo not only educated those around him in the art of music, but he is a practicing musician himself. He performs in a jazz trio, which has been enhancing weddings, festivals, and private events. In addition to jazz, Mr. D’Orsaneo has also performed with various rock groups on both percussion and bass guitar. He is a versatile musician with a mantra for personal enlightenment through music, which he imparts on those he educates.