Meet Our Instructors
Ninee Petchprapa Wolff
Director of the Olympia Youth Flute Choir (OYFC) and a member of High F'lutin' Flute Ensemble. Ninee Petchprapa Wolff started her music education with the Talent Research Project in Bangkok, Thailand. With the Project, she toured extensively in Thailand and Europe performing classical music on flute and violin. Entering the United States as an exchange student in 2001, she began her studies with Linda Doria, principle flutist of the Mid-Columbia Symphony.
Later, she was offered scholarships to continue her music education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg under the instruction of Dr. Hal Ott. During her time there, she served as the principle flutist and piccolo in the CWU Wind Ensemble and Orchestras. Studying jazz under Tracy Knoop, former lead alto of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, she played tenor sax in several of the jazz ensembles, and she also served as a violinist in the Symphony Orchestra at CWU. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a Jazz Specialization (Dean’s Scholar), she settled in Olympia, WA, performing and teaching private lessons.
In March 2010, Ninee and her husband, Aaron Wolff were invited to become board members of the POSSCA (Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts). Ninee is also a current member of the Seattle Flute Society. She has judged local festivals and competitions such as WMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest. Her students are very active and have won various awards and recognition. She has played with several local groups such as the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, the Bob Nixon Tribute Big Band, and the Brown Edition. Ninee's accomplishments include Silver Medalist in the Thai National Youth Music Competition, 1st place Violin Soloist in the Yakima Valley Region Solo and Ensemble Contest, 2nd place Flute Soloist in the Washington State Solo and Ensemble Contest, 1st place Flute Soloist in the Musicfest Northwest, and Snelling Music Competition Winner at CWU.
Aaron Wolff
Growing up in Olympia, Aaron Wolff had participated in many local music
organizations including the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia
(SOGO), Tacoma Youth Symphony, and the Capital Playhouse. He also participated in the US Youth Ensembles European Concert Tour. As a high school senior, he was selected as one of the two recipients
for the Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts(POSSCA) scholarship.
On a music
scholarship, he entered his freshman year at Central Washington
University and served in the CWU Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra
on the clarinet. He played as the lead alto sax in several jazz
ensembles and was one of the feature soloists for CWU Jazz Band I at
the Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey, California.
He has
performed with artists including Ingrid Jensen, Jon Wikan, Nancy King,
and Bob McChesney. While attending CWU, he studied under the direction
of Joseph Brooks and Tracy Knoop. He graduated from CWU(Cum Laude) with
a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Jazz Specialization. He has performed locally with ensembles such as the Pierce College Jazz Band and the Jazz Senators, and also has toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Aaron performs regularly with a funk group the Brown Edition, which was voted the Best Band of Olympia 2011 by the Volcano's Readers' Pick. He teaches single reeds, jazz, and music theory private lessons in Olympia, WA. Aaron Wolff is an active board member of POSSCA. Presently, Aaron and his wife Ninee serve the board as co-chairs for Cultural Assistance Program for Students(CAPS).
Tarik Bentlemsani
A versatile guitarist, composer, and
educator, Tarik Bentlemsani has approached music from a rich variety of
perspectives. Beginning in the classroom, Tarik played violin in 4th grade
orchestra, switched to trumpet in 5th grade, and played trumpet in jazz band
through middle school and high school. Regularly a featured soloist on trumpet,
Tarik began to show promise on guitar and would double on guitar and trumpet in
the Black Hills High School Jazz combo. Tarik studied classical and jazz
trumpet with Drew Gibbs and Andy Omdahl and studied guitar with Tim Eicholt.
While a high school student, he was called to play local funk and soul gigs on
trumpet. At this time Tarik also recorded a CD of original music with his band
Detrital Rocks, where he played trumpet, guitar, and mandolin interchangeably.
Finally choosing
guitar as his primary instrument, Tarik’s college experience furthered his
versatility. In addition to studying classical guitar and playing in jazz band,
Tarik also played trumpet in symphonic band and sang in choir. He taught
regular guitar lessons to other students and local enthusiasts. As a featured
soloist in the premier CWU jazz band Tarik shared the stage with international
greats including David “Fathead” Newman, (Saxophonist with Ray Charles) jazz
drummer/percussionist Jon Wikan, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Christian
Fabian, and saxophonist Bob Sheppard. Tarik is also featured on the 2009
recording “In a mellow tone from CWU jazz band 1 which is availiable on
sea-breeze records. Tarik graduated From Central Washington University with a
B.A. in music-jazz specialization.
Tarik is currently
in demand as a guitarist for jazz groups, rock and funk bands, bluegrass bands,
solo classical performances, and anything else that needs a guitar. He has
performed locally with the latin-jazz group Momenti Rubati, The funk band The
Brown Edition, and with jazz vocalist Lizzy Boyer. He recently toured to Colorado with his String band Podunk Funk, and toured to California with The
Brown Edition. He performs weekly At Traditions Café in Olympia WA,
playing solo guitar. Tarik has been teaching classical guitar lessons for five
years, and is gaining notoriety as a performer and educator in the Olympia area.