Instructors

Ninee Petchprapa Wolff began her musical journey with the Talent Research Project in Bangkok, Thailand, performing extensively throughout Thailand and Europe as a flutist and violinist. In 2001, she moved to the United States as an exchange student and continued her flute studies with Linda Doria, principal flutist of the Mid-Columbia Symphony.

She was awarded scholarships to pursue a degree in music at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, where she studied flute with Dr. Hal Ott. During her time at CWU, she served as principal flutist and piccoloist in the Wind Ensemble and University Orchestra. She also studied jazz with Tracy Knoop, former lead alto saxophonist for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and performed on tenor saxophone in several jazz ensembles. In addition, she played violin in the CWU Symphony Orchestra. Ninee graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Jazz Specialization and was recognized as a Dean’s Scholar. She also pursued additional studies with Zart Dombourian-Eby, principal piccoloist of the Seattle Symphony. She earned a Master’s in Teaching from Saint Martin’s University in 2020.

After graduation, Ninee settled in Olympia, Washington, where she continues to teach and perform. In 2010, she and her husband, Aaron Wolff, joined the board of the Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts (POSSCA). She is a member of the Seattle Flute Society and the National Flute Association and regularly serves as a judge for local music festivals and competitions. Many of her students have received awards and recognition for their musical achievements.

Ninee performs regularly with a wide range of ensembles, from symphony orchestras to big bands, including the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra and the Olympia Jazz Senators. Her performance accolades include:

• Silver Medalist, Thai National Youth Music Competition

• 1st Place Violin Soloist, Yakima Valley Region Solo and Ensemble Contest

• 2nd Place Flute Soloist, Washington State Solo and Ensemble Contest

• 1st Place Flute Soloist, Musicfest Northwest

• Winner, Snelling Music Competition (CWU)

• 3rd Place, NFA Jazz Soloist Competition

• Selected Alternate Performer, National Flute Convention 2012 (Las Vegas)
  
  

Her career has taken her throughout the West Coast and internationally, including a featured performance at Bangkok Jazz Night By the River 2015, Thailand’s largest international jazz festival. In 2017, she and Aaron Wolff were featured artists in the Black Box Jazz Series at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

Currently, Ninee is the piccoloist with the Bremerton Symphony and plays alto saxophone with the Olympia Jazz Senators. She serves as adjunct professor of flute at South Puget Sound Community College and directs band programs at Komachin Middle School and Horizons Elementary School.

            Growing up in Olympia, Aaron Wolff had participated in many local music organizations including the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO), Tacoma Youth Symphony, and the Capital Playhouse. He also participated in the US Youth Ensembles European Concert Tour. As a high school senior, he was selected as one of the two recipients for the Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts(POSSCA) scholarship.             

            On a music scholarship, he entered his freshman year at Central Washington University and served in the CWU Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra on the clarinet. He played as the lead alto sax in several jazz ensembles and was one of the featured soloists for CWU Jazz Band I at the Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey, California. 

            He has performed with artists including Ingrid Jensen, Jon Wikan, Nancy King, Bob McChesney, Greta Matassa, and New York Voices. While attending CWU, he studied under the direction of Joseph Brooks and Tracy Knoop. He graduated from CWU(Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Jazz Specialization. He has performed locally with ensembles such as the Pierce College Jazz Band, Bob Nixon Big band, and also has toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Aaron performs regularly with Lakewood Community Jazz Band, the Jazz, Senators, a Klezmer band Erev Rav(voted Best Band of Olympia in 2013), and a funk group the Brown Edition (voted the Best Band of Olympia in 2011 and 2012 by the Volcano's Readers' Pick). The Brown Edition's "Soulpocalypse" album has also won Judges' pick Best Album of the year in the Funk/Jam/Fusion category in the Independent Music Awards(IMA)  He teaches single reeds, jazz, and music theory private lessons in Olympia, WA. Aaron and his wife Ninee served POSSCA from 2010-13  as co-chairs for Cultural Assistance Program for Students(CAPS).

A versatile guitarist, composer, and educator, Tarik Bentlemsani has approached music from a rich variety of perspectives. Beginning in the classroom, Tarik played violin in 4th grade orchestra, switched to trumpet in 5th grade, and played trumpet in jazz band through middle school and high school. Regularly a featured soloist on trumpet, Tarik began to show promise on guitar and would double on guitar and trumpet in the Black Hills High School Jazz combo. Tarik studied classical and jazz trumpet with Drew Gibbs and Andy Omdahl and studied guitar with Tim Eicholt. While a high school student, he was called to play local funk and soul gigs on trumpet. At this time Tarik also recorded a CD of original music with his band Detrital Rocks, where he played trumpet, guitar, and mandolin interchangeably. 

            Finally choosing guitar as his primary instrument, Tarik’s college experience furthered his versatility. In addition to studying classical guitar and playing in jazz band, Tarik also played trumpet in symphonic band and sang in choir. He taught regular guitar lessons to other students and local enthusiasts. As a featured soloist in the premier CWU jazz band Tarik shared the stage with international greats including David “Fathead” Newman, (Saxophonist with Ray Charles) jazz drummer/percussionist Jon Wikan, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Christian Fabian, and saxophonist Bob Sheppard. Tarik is also featured on the 2009 recording “In a mellow tone from CWU jazz band 1 which is availiable on sea-breeze records. Tarik graduated From Central Washington University with a B.A. in music-jazz specialization.

            Tarik is currently in demand as a guitarist for jazz groups, rock and funk bands, bluegrass bands, solo classical performances, and anything else that needs a guitar. He has performed locally with the latin-jazz group Momenti Rubati, The funk band The Brown Edition, and with jazz vocalist Lizzy Boyer. He recently toured to Colorado with his String band Podunk Funk, and toured to California with The Brown Edition. He performs weekly At Traditions Café in Olympia WA, playing solo guitar. Tarik has been teaching classical guitar lessons for five years, and is gaining notoriety as a performer and educator in the Olympia area.