Dan Jocis (Trumpet)
William Pond (Trumpet)
Irene Guda (French Horn)
Jonathan Hartman (Trombone)
Ken Sura (Tuba)
Dan is the Founder and Director of the Vintage Brass Ensemble. Since the beginning of his musical roots at the age of nine, Dan has had opportunities to play with many Fairfield county musical groups, including the Blues Alley band, Connecticut Symphonic Winds, American Chamber Orchestra, Norwalk Symphonic Strings, Norwalk Brass Quintet, as well as various musical pit orchestras and as a soloist in area churches. He has studied privately under Andrew Willmott. Dan earned his BS in business management from Albertus Magnus College and is currently employed full time at Metro North Railroad.
William Pond (Trumpet)
William began playing the trumpet at the age of eight, following in the footsteps of his brother. His devotion to music grew throughout his active playing years in middle and high school. His interest in music took him to Boston University where he studied trumpet with Roger Voisin and Roger Ingram of the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band. William is an active freelance musician in the greater Stratford area, having played with area ensembles including the Counterpoint Big Band, Connecticut Symphonic Band, New Canaan Theater Group, Staples Players Theater Group, Stamford Young Artists Philharmonic and American Chamber Orchestra. He is active as a soloist for many area churches and continues to play in pit orchestras for local theatre groups. William resides in Trumbull with his wife and three young children who already enjoy playing on Daddy’s old trumpet!
Irene Guda (French Horn)
Irene started playing clarinet when she was 11, and later switched to the French Horn during high school in Willoughby, Ohio. She later studied French Horn and music education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Irene teaches general music and beginning band in Stamford, Connecticut. She has played with the Miami University Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, as well as various smaller ensembles and studied French horn under Gregory Phillips. Irene currently plays in the Connecticut Symphonic Winds and she has been a member of The Vintage Brass since May 2011.
Jonathan Hartman (Trombone)
A third generation trombone player, Jonathan has been a musician for the last 15 years. Growing up in the Cleveland, Ohio area under the musical training of Jim Taylor and members of the Cleveland Orchestra Brass section, he was active throughout his school years, notably as a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Strongsville Community Band and Strongsville City Jazz. After moving to the East Coast to earn his undergraduate degree at Yale University, Jonathan continued his musical interest as a freelance artist in the New Haven area, with full-time affiliations to 5 on-campus ensembles, pit orchestras and local groups. Jonathan now resides in Cheshire where he continues to be active in the freelance community while maintaining a full time career as an Engineer at Sikorsky Aircraft. Current affiliations include the Connecticut Symphony Winds and the Counterpoint Big Band. He is the recipient of numerous musical awards, including several regional concerto competitions.
Ken Sura (Tuba)
At an early age, Kenny always enjoyed tinkering with various instruments, but at the age of 17 took a serious interest in the Tuba. From private instruction to countless performances, has spent his years performing with community groups such as The Stratford Community Concert Band, Branford Town Band, Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard, Southern Connecticut University Band and has played in several pit bands and parades. He has also performed in different rock groups and studio work. Current groups include The Connecticut Symphonic Winds, The Colonial Band, The American Festival Band, The Milford Concert Band, The Stratford Congregational Church Choir (under the direction of Joe Utterback) and of course, The Vintage Brass Ensemble. Kenny stretches his music desires into the electronic musical instrument repair field as the owner of Audio Nexus, LLC. Milford, Kenny resides in Milford and passions music and antique cars.
The Musicians
