Dave Chiappetta (1974) was born in Massapequa, NY, and began studying music at
age 9. By the age of 16, he was the lead guitarist, orchestrator, arranger,
performer, director, as well as producer of a 65-piece symphonic orchestra, full choir,
rock band, and cast of 20 for a performance of Pink Floyd’s "The Wall". He then
enrolled at Syracuse University to study with famed Chinese composer, Liu Xing.
Upon graduation, Dave moved to New York and studied with the NYU Jazz Professor, guitarist Bruce Arnold.
During his four year stay in New York, he toured the East Coast several times as lead guitarist with the award
winning progressive rock jazz band, Blind Man’s Sun, and scored three critically acclaimed films which included,
“Bringing Down Dejunga,” winner of *Best First Feature* at the New York International Independent Film Festival.
*Best Of Jury Award* at the Atlantic City Film Festival. Dave then moved to Los Angeles where he studied privately
with Jack Smalley, renowned orchestrator, composer, arranger, and USC Film Composition professor. Dave has been
residing in LA for 3 years and has composed numerous concert works that have been performed all over the
country. He has also scored 12 films including, "Lock Her Room", featured on ShowTime for the 2003 Black History
Month Short Films Presentation. In 2003, Dave was awarded the prestigious ASCAP Foundation/Mancini
Composition Scholarship - presented at Lincoln Center in NYC - to attend the Henry Mancini Institute in Los Angeles.
Gordy Haab (1976), born in Richmond, VA, began composing music at the age of
twelve and has been focused on the craft ever since. Gordy’s rock and jazz background
has become infused with a brilliant sense of craft and creativity, which was first
recognized when he won the Reflections National Composers Award at the age of 14.
This award-winning trend has continued through Gordy’s career - He also won the
BMI/Warren National Film Composers Competition, and the ASCAP National Young Jazz Composers Competition, and
was awarded Best Score in the Spotlight LA Film Festival. He was offered a position as staff arranger for the Air Force
Band of the Golden West and recently received the ASCAP Foundation/Mancini Composition Scholarship.
Gordy earned a BM from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an advanced certificate from the USC Thornton
School of Music, Scoring for Motion Picture and Television Program, and since attending has professionally scored over
30 films. Gordy has served as composer/arranger in many professional situations, ranging from arranging staff
member for the national tour of “Funny Girl”, starring Debby Gibson, and musical assistant/co-engineer to Grammy-
Nominated composer, Doug Richards for the jazz album “It’s all in the Game” featuring Renee Marie and Jon Faddis,
to Composer for the “Devil’s Workshop Big Band” featuring trumpeter, Rex Richardson. Currently, Gordy is composing
the music for “Juice,” a Broadway musical directed by the Tony Nominated director, Tom O’Horgan (Jesus Christ
Superstar, Hair, Lenny) Gordy now lives in Los Angeles, where he continues to work professionally as composer on
award winning feature films.
Kyle Newmaster (1975) is a professional composer and trumpet player living in Los
Angeles, CA. Kyle became involved in music at an early age. Having studied both piano
and trumpet, he enjoyed performing and composing for a whole array of musical
situations. Kyle earned a BME from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire and a
Master's Degree in Contemporary Media and Jazz Composition from the prestigious
Eastman School of Music. Upon graduating from Eastman, Kyle received the Ray Schirmer Award for Jazz composition.
Thereafter, Kyle was privileged to win one of a select few ASCAP Foundation/Mancini Composition Scholarships in
consecutive years (2001 and 2002), where he composed an overture for the Mancini Institute’s 90-person studio
orchestra. In Los Angeles, Kyle composes and records for many musical genres and mediums. He has scored over 20
independent films, orchestrated for a variety of projects including two string pieces performed by Charlie Haden’s
‘American Dreams’ ensemble and published many original compositions through the organizations, ‘Increase Music’
and ‘Really Good Music’. In 2003, Kyle worked as producer and arranger for Vitamin Records on several string tribute
albums to artists such as Phish, Faith Hill and Santana. Kyle continues to work on numerous commissions to compose
for orchestras on all levels including high school, college and professional ensembles.
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