Christos Rafalides Ray Joh Giuseppe Fusco Amy Baer Jonathan McElroy Aaron Cotler

As a professional vibra-phonist, I earned degrees from both the Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. I’ve been leading my own band called Manhattan Vibes. As a sideman, recent highlights include performances with the Charles Mingus “Epitaph” Band and with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
—Christos Rafalides

I joined Local 802 because I want to be plugged into what’s going on in the music scene and be supported in reaching my goals. My musical goal in New York City is to continue offering guitar lessons, continue and expand my performance schedule, and of course continue to develop my performance skills. I got my first gigs through a friend of mine, who sometimes gets overbooked for gigs and who started calling me to take some of them off his hands. After a while I had a few people calling me directly. I play jazz standards, blues and funk on acoustic and electric guitar.
—Ray Joh

I joined Local 802 because it is the best musicians’ union in the area, and my goal is to be working in and around New York City as a musician. My first 802 gig was with the Colonial Symphony Orchestra. I was recommended by a teacher of mine. My principal instruments are saxophone, clarinet, and flute.
—Giuseppe Fusco

I joined Local 802 to be a part of a fantastic community of musicians. My musical goal in New York City is to be involved in all areas of the film scoring process, including composing, orchestrating and preparing scores for feature films. I started as an intern at the Manhattan Producers’ Alliance, which led to assistant work in the fields of music preparation and arranging. My principal instrument is piano.
—Amy Baer

Since I frequently perform in the New York City area, I felt it smart to join Local 802 so that I could broaden my opportunities as a musician, as well as support my fellow musicians. My goal is to continue to be an active musician in the New York City area. My mother’s side of the family is very musical and because I wanted to be a part of the constant jam sessions that took place, I took up the trombone, and eventually, the electric and acoustic bass (at age 7). I performed on all three instruments throughout high school while working in Surflight Theatre’s pit for their summer stock for four years. I then attended William Paterson University for my bachelor’s in jazz performance on both trombone and acoustic and electric bass, and continued there to earn my master’s in composition and arranging. I currently lead a sextet which performs my original jazz compositions, as well as perform with the singer/songwriter ALFA. I am a sub for the pit at Surflight Theatre and also play in various theatre group’s pits. When I am not writing or performing, I am teaching the trombone or bass.
—Jonathan McElroy

I joined Local 802 because it seems like an invaluable resource for networking, gigs, and instruments, as well as a group of like-minded folks I can turn to for support. My goal in New York City is to work in a pit orchestra for musical theater on Broadway or Off Broadway. My principal instrument is trap kit; I also have experience playing assorted percussion and hand drums.
—Aaron Cotler