Trio Focoso

Shannon Canchola (flute) BIO:
As a graduate of the University of Redlands under the teaching of Sarah Andon, Shannon Canchola has performed with many professional musicians including amazing flutist Sara Andon, Paul Fried, Eileen Holt, Jamie Pedrini, and Valerie King. She has also performed with jazz trumpeter Carl Saunders, Grammy nominated vocalist Michele Weir, the Angelica Strings, award-winning pianist David Osborne, as well as with the L.A. Children Choir, the Donald Brinegar Singers, the San Diego North Coast Singers. Shannon is currently part of Critical Hit- a video game music tribute band headed by World of Warcraft composer, Jason Hayes with other super star members; cellist Tina Guo and violinist internet sensation; Taylor Davis. She is also principle flutist for Center Stage Opera- performing regularity at the Madrid Theatre under the baton of the great Brian Onderdonk. Shannon regularly substitutes with the Redlands Symphony at the Redlands Bowl and has performed with the California Philharmonic and the U.S. Chinese Artists Association Symphony Orchestra at the L.A. Arboretum, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Her most recent performances have been at various locations such as the Avalon Theatre for the L.A. Music Awards, and for the winter NAMM show in Anaheim, at Cal State San Bernardino and Pasadena City College as an honorary guest artist and many more locations all over Southern California. Past awards and accomplishments include- Newhall District Music Department Featured Artist, performances for MTAC Convention Festival Recitals in San Diego, Burlington, and Riverside as a young flute player, Pasadena City College Student Honors Recital participant for 3 years, and 1st place for the Kathryn Teresa Thomas Memorial Music Scholarship competition. In addition to performing Shannon also teaches privately, holds weekly flute master classes with five high schools, and is an official adjudicator for Music Teachers Association of California.

Claudio Alcantar (sax) BIO:
Claudio D. Alcàntar is an active freelance musician and educator in Southern California. He is the Director of Orchestras at the Saturday Conservatory of Music, and serves as a clinician, private instructor and mentor to several young musicians in the greater Los Angeles area. His classical experience includes guest performances with the the San Fernando Valley Symphony, the Glendale Symphony, the California State University, Northridge Symphony, and the Metropolitan Master Chorale. He is a current member of the David Ricard Big Band, the Pico Rivera Big Band, The Montebello Esquires and you can find him rocking out on stage with LA’s hottest ska band “La Resistencia." Mr. Alcàntar received his Associates in Arts degree from Pasadena City College where he studied classical sax with Larry Hughes and jazz improvisation with David Sills. In 2007 he received the Dean’s Special Recognition Award, Paul H. Kilian Scholarship Award, Lancer Band Directors’ Award, Outstanding Woodwind Performer Award, First place winner for the Jazz Scholarship Competition, and 1st Place winner for the Classical Scholarship Competition for Winds and Percussion and In 2008, he was the winner of the Concerto Competition. Mr. Alcantar moved on to study saxophone performance with Geoff Nudell at California State University, Northridge where he was the recipient of the Ted Gould Memorial Scholarship, the Arts Council Scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Performance Cum Laude.

Hanna Aparo (piano) BIO:
Starting at the age of 6, Hanna developed a love for the piano. As a recipient of numerous academic awards, scholarships, and piano competitions from Pasadena City College and San Francisco State University, she has received the MTAC award (San Francisco Branch) and won the Paul Andrieu Memorial Scholarship from San Francisco State. She has developed a sensitivity to musicality and a love of collaboration with other musicians. Hanna graduated Summa Cum Laude at San Francisco State University in 2011 and is currently pursuing a MM Piano Performance degree at California State University- Fullerton where she is currently studying with Eduardo Delgado. In addition to performing solo, playing in chamber ensembles, and working as an accompanist, she enjoys maintaining a private piano studio.