SONORO: A MUSICAL ENSEMBLE

The original work of Sharon Ruchman and SONORO is stretching the boundaries of contemporary rhythms creating a unique musical blend. There’s an element of fun and exploration in the music, showcasing the personalities and talents of the group’s highly-skilled musicians.

Sharon Ruchman, Composer and Pianist

American composer, pianist and violist, Sharon Ruchman began her musical journey when she took up piano at the age of eight, later receiving a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music from Yale School of Music. Her myriad accomplishments include the production of six CDs, including original classical music for solo instrumentation and chamber ensembles.

In 2015, Ruchman’s life changes both professionally and personally when her great uncle Rudy’s viola finds its way to her. A virtuoso violinist who died tragically at the age of 25 in 1933, Rudolph “Rudy” Fuchs’ story inspires her to rewrite her own. She begins to take viola lessons, writes her memoir, The Gift of Rudy, and starts to compose like never before. Following her passion for tango, she composes five original slow tango compositions, beautifully choreographed in videos by dancers of Tango Berretin Dance Company.

With a newfound, experimental, multi-instrumental approach combined with a traditional, classical foundation, Ruchman founds SONORO in 2019. A musical ensemble at the forefront of contemporary music performance, the group offers a playful and romantic mix of classical, jazz and Latin through a variety of flexible instrumentation to include piano, flute, saxophone, viola, cello, bass and percussion. Original work, composed by Ruchman and produced by Marc Wager Weisgal, is stretching boundaries of contemporary rhythms, creating a unique musical blend. There’s an element of fun and exploration in the music, showcasing the personalities and talents of the group’s highly skilled musicians.

Jennifer Berman, Flutist

Flutist Jennifer Berman has extensive experience performing with orchestral, chamber and choral ensembles. Studying the flute since the age of seven, she went on to attend the North Carolina School of the Arts where she received both her high school diploma and Bachelor of Music degree as a student of Philip Dunigan. She then studied at the Manhattan School of Music with Ransom Wilson for her Master of Music degree. After freelancing briefly in New York, Berman became a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where she was co-principal for two years. Upon moving to Connecticut in 1994, she has been performing with a variety of orchestras and ensembles including the Hartford Symphony, Waterbury Symphony, Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Norwalk Symphony, Ridgefield Symphony, CT Virtuosi, New Britain Symphony, Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet, as well as the CT Lyric Opera, Opera Theater of CT and Salt Marsh Opera. She has appeared as soloist with the Albany, GA Symphony and the Rome Festival Orchestra. 

Bill Holloman, Saxophonist and Trumpet Player

Bill Holloman is an American jazz and blues tenor saxophonist and trumpet player. Holloman featured in the bands of Nile Rodgers (Chic), Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers as well as the late great guitarist Danny Gatton. He has recorded and/or performed with Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Elton John, Les Paul, Faith Hill and countless others.

Mary Costanza, Cellist

Cellist Mary Costanza enjoys a multifaceted career as a teacher, performer and recording artist. She has developed a thriving private studio for students of all ages and currently serves as instructor of cello at the Kent School and the Gunnery. Costanza is also a teaching artist for the ASAP Inter-district Strings Project with the Waterbury Symphony, assistant principal cello in the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, and performs with other regional ensembles such as the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the Berkshire Lyric and the Windham Chamber Music Festival. For years, she played with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and previously with the National Orchestra of New York, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Canton Symphony. Her recording of the complete Cello Suites of J.S. Bach (MSR Classics) has received critical acclaim, including Music WebInternational’s designation as a Recording of the Month. Costanza holds a Bachelor of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music (Case WesternReserve) and a Master of Music from the Juilliard School, where she studied with Zara Nelsova.

Jill Pellett Levine, Violist

Jill Pellett Levine received her BFA from SUNY/Purchase, and her Master of Music and Artist Diploma from the Yale University School of Music. She plays the viola in several orchestras throughout Connecticut including the New Haven Symphony, Bridgeport Symphony and Waterbury Symphony.

Ryan Dunne, Percussionist

Starting with percussion in fourth grade, Ryan Dunne went on to studyJazz Percussion at Western Connecticut State University and music education at the University of Bridgeport and the HARTT School of Music. Today, he teaches chorus, band and general music at an elementary school in Ridgefield, CT. Dunne also performs in the Connecticut wedding band, No Big Deal, and he’s a sideman for many jazz groups. He is excited to lend his percussion expertise and fuse his background in jazz with Sonoro’s mix of styles.

Frank Brocklehurst, Electric and Upright Bass

Frank has been a staple of the New England and UK music scene for 20 + years. During this time Frank has performed with Charles Neville ( Neville Bros ), Rico Lewis ( P Funk ), Luke Hendon, Joe Bouchard, Jon Sutters and a host of other professional musicians and producers. Musical genres he has performed in at a professional level include Salsa, Brazilian,Funk, R&B, Celtic, Country, Rock, and Jazz. Born in Manchester UK,

Frank attended the Royal guildhall of Music in the UK and also Western CT state University. When not performing you can find him recording, arranging, teaching, building and repairing musical Instruments. As his clients like to say “ He has all the Bases covered!“