From early days, as a boy growing up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, John Charlillo was inspired to pursue music by some of the “older boys” in the neighborhood.  John often peaked into garage windows to marvel at the jam sessions including some of the (at the time) local talents like Joe Walsh, Phil Keggy, Gary Boggess and Gerald LeVert.  Fueled by these early influences, starting in high school, John established himself in the Northeast Ohio music scene as a premium gigging and studio bassist. Expanding from local jazz, rock and dance bands, John played sessions for acts such as Charo, Steve and Eydie and Rich Little (to name a few).

John’s formal music education began at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of the Assistant Principal of the Cleveland Orchestra Anthony Knight.  While continuing to maintain his active teaching, gigging and studio schedule, John exercised his classical music skills with the conservatory orchestra and the Riemenschneider Bach Festival Orchestra.  As a graduate student at Ball State University John played as assistant principal bassist for the Muncie, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis symphony orchestras. While at Ball State and Cleveland State Universities John’s musical interests widened to encompass music production and computer music. John was fortunate to have studied with luminaries such as Edwin London, Cleve Scott, Bain Murray and Rudolph Bubalo.

John’s professional career encompasses four major areas: music education, music production, composition and bass.  

As a professor of music, John taught at Appalachian State University, California Polytechnic University and the University of Texas at Arlington.  John’s responsibilities at these institutions included directorship of music industry studies programs, music theory and music technology. At Appalachian State University John was lead in the development of the Hayes School of Music Recording Studio, the premiere teaching studio in the Southeast.  As a faculty performer John was pleased to have played with assorted faculty jazz ensembles featuring performers such as Todd Wright, Arthur Unsworth and Stan Gibb.

As producer for the Grammy and ASCAP Award winning Cleveland Chamber Symphony, John presided over sessions recording world premiere orchestral commissions written by contemporary composers such as Gunther Schuller, Witold Lutoslawski and Morton Subotnick. As a producer of popular music John has produced for artists such as Howie Smith, Boots Randolph, The Mr. Groove Band and Bonnie Bramlett.  John’s musical productions can be found on labels such as Albany, New World, GM Records and True Media.

John’s compositions comprise concert pieces commissioned for the Cleveland New Music Ensemble, Akron New Music Group and Roger Zahab.  Amongst other collaborations, John has arranged and written popular music for artists such as Christy Bingham, Kella River and Ben Rombouts.  John’s compositions also can be heard as incidental music for Evans and Sutherland D3 planetarium shows.

Kristi Bingham

Kristi Bingham, vocalist, songwriter, producer and composer, brings versatile styles and multifaceted themes to the table.

Brimming with vibrant lyrics and years of classical piano training, Kristi enjoys observing the human condition from a multitude of perspectives. Due to her interest in psychology and the theatre, both of which she has studied formally, Kristi is inquisitive. Her curiosity and observant nature shine throughout every aspect of her music.

To Kristi, music is an art form accessible to all of humankind, as well as an integral part of her own self-expression. "Every culture has created some form of music, even if it'sdiscovering fundamental rhythms on home-made drums,"says Kristi. "Music is innate."