Faculty (Guitar)

Enrico Arcaro’s musical ventures began in the unassuming hardcore scene in Staten Island, NY. After years spent as a composer in his bands, and performing as a sequencer-wielding, electro-acoustic solo artist, he began his academic music training in 2003. Instantly falling in love with theory and counterpoint, he began composing with notation in 2006. Heavily influenced by the epics of early Metallica, Radiohead and Indie bands such as Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral, Rollins Band, Lincoln, Shelter, and Quicksand, he has fused these influences with those gained throughout his academic journey, including Beethoven, Bach, Shostakovich, Chopin, and Debussy. A lover of extended harmonies mixed with sharp dissonance, Enrico’s music is most characterized by its odd meters, rhythmic motives, Indie rock emotionalism, ostinatos, rawness, and atmospheric grooves. His compositional goals include: Intensity and sincerity, upholding a communicative narrative, and balancing the dichotomous elements of sweetness and brutality.  Enrico obtained his Bachelors of Science in Music from CUNY College of Staten Island. He studied guitar with Prof. Ed Brown, piano with Dr. Yoojin Oh, and composition with Dr. David Keberle. He graduated with honors, receiving the Ted McIrvine Memorial Award for Academic Excellence in Performing & Creative Arts, as well as the CSI Foundation Prize for Outstanding Music by Students. At NYU Steinhardt, where he studied Composition with Justin Dello Joio, while obtaining his Master of Music in Music Theory & Composition; he was awarded a string quartet residency position for his quartet Solitary Refinement, and was named winner of NYU’s Takemitsu Project composition contest for his work Fifth Dimension. In December 2010, Enrico was awarded an Original Work Grant by COAHSI, for the 2011 realization of Impressions of the Human Condition; an instrumental, chamber music, narrative-tale.  Enrico is currently an adjunct lecturer at The College of Staten Island, director and founder of Contra Ensemble, instructor at Rustic Music and the Staten Island Conservatory, as well as a private instructor of guitar, composition, piano and music theory. As a teacher, Enrico aims to relay the wisdom gained from his diverse musical experiences. Through cultivating technique, theoretical understanding, individual inspirations, and nurturing each student’s unique musical voice, he strives to instill awareness of music’s communicative power, urging his students to use their musicianship as a vehicle of self-expression.

Ed received his BA from Richmond College and MA degree from Hunter College. He attended the doctoral program at the Graduate Center in NY. Ed is an adjunct professor at Wagner College and Staten Island College. He is the founder of “The music for Olde Staten Island”. Ed is a member of the Guitar Foundation of America, the Lute Society of America and the Staten Island Chamber Music Players.

Before becoming the Principal Bass player for the Richmond County Orchestra, Mr. Nakamura has served as Vice Principal for the Bronx Symphony Orchestra. He has great experience in both upright and electric bass with a variety of styles, including blues, classical, funk, jazz, latin, etc. Today he is most noted for his work with Staten Island’s famous chamber group Wafoo. Mr. Nakamura studied at the Koyo Conservatory in his native Japan before obtaining an Associates Degree and a Professional Diploma in Bass Performance at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music. He has gained a lot of experience in guitar and guitar ensembles. In addition to teaching at SICOM, Mr. Nakamura has taught at the HZC Summer Camp for Kids in Harlem and he continues to give workshops and masterclasses throughout the East Coast.

Mr. Simone attended Wagner College and obtained a BA in Music performance. He is now majoring in Sonic Arts at City College. He has worked with the Staten Island Symphony and has performed at the Metropolitan Opera House and Carnegie Hall with the Wagner College Choir. During the time at Wagner College, he joined the Woodwind Ensemble, Guitar and Lute Ensemble and the Jazz Improv Band. As of present he is playing with the Concert Band and Wagner Solo Projects.