Our Bass Instructors
Whitaker Fineberg, CCPA Rosevelt University (Guitar and Bass instructor)
Whitaker Finberg's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by his brother's songwriting and band tours. Although he started with the cello, Whitaker's true passion lay in the guitar and songwriting. Self-taught initially, he dove deep into formal music education, spending time at the Chicago College of Performing Arts studying jazz guitar. Yet, Whitaker's drive for live performances and songwriting brought him back to Michigan, where he toured with several bands and released multiple records. Teaching guitar at an Ann Arbor music store, he discovered a profound joy in mentoring aspiring musicians. After a brief stint in the recording gear industry, Whitaker established his own home studio, Square Lake Sounds. Partnering with the renowned Ann Arbor Music Academy, Whitaker is eager to guide students in realizing their unique musical visions.
Larry Sumner (Jazz Piano/Keyboard Techniques, Guitar, Bass instructor)
Larry Roy Sumner Jr. is a singer, songwriter/composer, multi-instrumentalist, music educator, music director, and band leader from South Central Michigan. He gave his first public performance at age three and has been making music ever since! He currently serves as the Minister of Music at United Peoples Community Church, the Music Director for the Concord Area Players, a teacher at the Ann Arbor Music Academy, and leads his own band, B!G L & CODE BLÜ. He also plays with the Jack Pine Savages and Mixed Flavors. A huge fan of musical theatre, Larry has served as the vocal director/pit orchestra conductor for a variety of shows including Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Balancing Act, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Shrek the Musical, The Sound of Music, The Addams Family, The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, and many more! Larry Teaches Jazz Piano/Keyboard Techniques, Guitar, and Bass.
Philip Rinke, B.M. Eastern Michgain University (Double Bass Instructor)
Philip Rinke studied double bass for over two decades now. An accomplished bass player, Philip studied music education at Eastern Michigan University and was the principal bassist of the EMU symphony orchestra his entire time there. Philip has a passion for music theory and excelled in advanced theory coursework. Philip has taught numerous double bass sectionals to schools such as Ann Arbor Skyline High School, DCO, Saline high school, and more. Philip was also selected as Skyline high school’s regular bass instructor for their summer orchestra camp at Interlochen. Philip enjoys staying active and playing many gigs which include playing in musical theatre pit orchestras, jazz ensembles, and with the Dexter Community Orchestra. Philip is also a wealth of instrument knowledge having spent quite a bit of time working in violin and guitar shops.