Experience

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway

• United States
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Music Educator

  • Feb 2023 - Present

  I created an elective music essentials class for elementary and middle school children as well as an orchestral hybrid ensemble utilizing Guitar, keyboard, ukulele, violin and a few instruments the children had already studied like trumpet. We began in February and by the June finale had prepared a wonderful concert for the parents which featured soloists, duos, and ensemble playing. The program was also featured in the LI Herald Five Towns I created an elective music essentials class for elementary and middle school children as well as an orchestral hybrid ensemble utilizing Guitar, keyboard, ukulele, violin and a few instruments the children had already studied like trumpet. We began in February and by the June finale had prepared a wonderful concert for the parents which featured soloists, duos, and ensemble playing. The program was also featured in the LI Herald Five Towns



Arts In The Plaza, Inc.

• Entertainment Director / Performer / Sound Engineer

  • May 2010 - Present

  I have been performing at Arts In the Plaza since it's inception in May 2010. What started out as a busking / tip jar environment has turned into a fully programmed 6 month season now in it's 5th year under our stewardship. We have international touring acts as well as local artists performing throughout the season. We are an art market that share the space with the Farmer's Market, so it's filled with indescribable goodness. I have hosted open mics, performed with my original acts like Benoir and the Long Beach All-Stars, Guardavidas, the Long Beach Ukulele Orchestra, and backing up artists such as Natalie Dangerfield, J Brittany, Wolfish, Artie Brand Band, and many more. Show less

• Sponsorship Manager

  • Apr 2013 - Present

  In 2013 I created our sponsorship plan in order to pay our musical acts and bring amazing entertainers for the last 10 seasons to Long Beach at no cost to the listener. Everyone is welcome and we've had some amazing performers to the say the least. My partner Samantha Metzger and I work year round promoting the sponsors via social media, our website, and at our events constantly with announcements, brochures, and by giving sponsors 3 dates to set up a tent and table. Our posters, bookmarks and post cards are thoroughly dispersed around the South Nassau Community and have a great impact on the businesses who join us. It gives me great pride to be in our 5th year of this model and see it growing stronger each season. Show less


Chamber of Commerce Long Beach ny
• Board Member

  • Jan 2022 - Present


Studio Noir

• United States
• Photography
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director Of Education

  • Mar 2007 - Present

  Since 2007 I have provided private lessons to the Long Beach community. I began group classes in 2012 and have been expanding course offerings and content ever since. Our music school has many success stories with exclusively high N.Y.S.S.M.A. scores, All-County participants, acceptance into Interlochen Summer Camps, Jazz Bands through our preparations, acceptance into La Guardia High School, highly praised auditions for the Voice and School Of Rock the Musical. Berklee College of Music in Boston has offered full tuition to one of our students who works professionally with Ben in Guardavidas. We are here to fulfill your dreams, so let us know how we may serve you. Show less

• Copyright and Publishing Administrator

  • Feb 2013 - Present

  Registering Copyrights via government websites, adding copyrighted titles to publishing database, working with agencies who license music.

• Recording Engineer

  • Jan 2007 - Present

  Studio Noir is fully equipped to record a solo, duo, or larger ensemble live or multi-track. You can hear examples of my production by listening to Mark Klein - Words, J Brittany - Bad Boy Blues, Benoir and the Long Beach All-Stars 11561, Random LB Recordz Vol. 1 (Compilation), Atom Rush, Natalie Dangerfield - U Down?, and much more! I can program electronic and MIDI arrangements in a timely manner, and am proficient with recording to our Pro-Tools system which includes a fully mic-d drum set and bass amp ready to go, with a Korg Krome 61 key also ready to go at all times. Access to my guitars, amps, pedals, violin, viola, cello, bass, ukuleles, mandolin, banjo, alto saxophone, and much more comes along with my hourly rate as a producer and engineer. My live playing is often recorded and sent via email to clients and I have a fast turn around for anyone seeking tracks pronto. Show less



GUARDAVIDAS

• 1 - 100 Employee

• Band Leader and Musician

  • May 2014 - Present

  I co-founded and named this Latin Jazz group with trombonist Victor Poretz. We continue to build our following, and have performed at some great venues including the Highline Ballroom, Cabana, Arts In The Plaza, Tula Kitchen, Corazon De Cuba, Treme, Hudsons On The Mile, La Parma (Oceanside), Lola's, Brixx and Barley, the Coral House, JR Asian Fusion, and were the featured band at the Long Beach International Film Festival Taste On The Beach tent party at the Allegria Hotel in 2017/2018. We perform songs by the Buena Vista Social Club, Santana, Horace Silver and other classic Latin Pop Rock artists. We have performed at the Long Beach Music Festival 2016 and 2017, and have been included in the Long Beach Jazz Festivals several of the last 5 years. Our Father-Son rhythm section includes Jorge Ariza - drums and vocals and George Ariza - bass and alto saxophone (sometimes MOOG too). Victor Poretz - vocals / trombone and Benoir - musical direction, keys, vocals. We have been inviting guitarists to sit in with our group at special events such as Dave Kellan, Ralph Palladino, Jeff Alan, and John Botten who can be heard on our live recordings on Reverbnation.com/guardavidas We are a FUN and exciting band that can also create a bossa nova / jazz lounge vibe for every occasion. You want a crazy conga line you got it, you want people to whisper sweet nothings and make sure the baby can sleep? We can do that too! Show less



Long Beach International Film Festival

• Movies, Videos, and Sound

• Music Producer

  • Jul 2017 - Present

  As a music producer for special events like Chefs N Shorts, Casino Night, and A Taste On The Beach, A Taste On The Plaza my artist bookings have included Fernando Ferrer, The Benoir Trio, Pamela Lewis, Richie Weinsten, Myraww, Christine Solimeno, Julianna Shmaruk, Bleu, Guardavidas and Klirsfeld / Frondelli Duo. I provided sponsorship for these performances through Arts In The Plaza. We have also provided DJ Chef and DJ Serenade for various events. As a music producer for special events like Chefs N Shorts, Casino Night, and A Taste On The Beach, A Taste On The Plaza my artist bookings have included Fernando Ferrer, The Benoir Trio, Pamela Lewis, Richie Weinsten, Myraww, Christine Solimeno, Julianna Shmaruk, Bleu, Guardavidas and Klirsfeld / Frondelli Duo. I provided sponsorship for these performances through Arts In The Plaza. We have also provided DJ Chef and DJ Serenade for various events.



Benoir

• United Kingdom

• Band Leader and Musician

  • Jan 1997 - Present

  I have performed with original groups including Guardavidas, Trio_Noir, Sauce On the Side, the Noirkestra, Dreamer Cult, Benoir and the Long Beach All-Stars and the Benoir Trio. I have performed with original groups including Guardavidas, Trio_Noir, Sauce On the Side, the Noirkestra, Dreamer Cult, Benoir and the Long Beach All-Stars and the Benoir Trio.



Friedberg JCC

• United States
• Wellness and Fitness Services

• Music Educator

  • Jun 2023 - Sep 2023

  I produced a Summer music program for the LGBTQ community at a private camp with the help of college age teachers. it was well received. I produced a Summer music program for the LGBTQ community at a private camp with the help of college age teachers. it was well received.



Rolling River Day Camp

• United States
• Recreational Facilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Music Specialist

  • Feb 2018 - Aug 2022

  Studio Noir offers a variety of music programming for young campers with a mix of songs and instruments for all ages! Studio Noir offers a variety of music programming for young campers with a mix of songs and instruments for all ages!



Oceanside Jewish Center

• United States
• Restaurants

• Sound Consultant

  • Feb 2014 - Mar 2014

  Evaluated Sound System for the Temple and detected malfunctioning equipment. Fixed power amp, bad cables, investigated and priced replacement equipment, bought parts, installed wired and wireless microphones, set sound levels and instructed staff how to properly utilize the remodeled system. Currently on call for future issues. Evaluated Sound System for the Temple and detected malfunctioning equipment. Fixed power amp, bad cables, investigated and priced replacement equipment, bought parts, installed wired and wireless microphones, set sound levels and instructed staff how to properly utilize the remodeled system. Currently on call for future issues.



WGBB 1240AM

• Music Director for Halftime Howie Show

  • Dec 2011 - Jun 2013

  Each Sunday Long Island's oldest radio station WGBB 1240am broadcast the "Halftime Howie" show focusing on the Long Beach area. I interviewed musical personalities, scheduled on air performances, talked about what's going on around town, and helped organize events and fundraisers. My song "Long Live Long Beach" was chosen as Howie's theme to the show from November when Superstorm Sandy destroyed our town until June of 2013. We worked together to help Sandy victims with weekly fundraising events called "Long Live Long Beach". Our events were highly attended and supported by many. We helped feed, clothe and entertain a wounded community. WGBB is Long Island's oldest radio station with a long history. The station was founded by one of my band member's relatives, Harry Carman and has remained a voice for the community through the decades. Listen on the web live at http://am1240wgbb.com Show less



School of Rock

• Denmark
• Musicians
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Show Director, Camp Director, and Guitar-Bass-Piano-Drum Instructor

  • Nov 2010 - Sep 2011

  I started working as a substitute teacher for School of Rock in Roslyn Long Island and was also requested to fill in at the Melville/Farmingdale location before being hired to jump start the new school in Port Jefferson. I was the director for Pink Floyd's The Wall where I also taught private lessons and ran the adult "Grad School" program. We broke a SOR camp record for learning 20 songs in one week under my direction! I started working as a substitute teacher for School of Rock in Roslyn Long Island and was also requested to fill in at the Melville/Farmingdale location before being hired to jump start the new school in Port Jefferson. I was the director for Pink Floyd's The Wall where I also taught private lessons and ran the adult "Grad School" program. We broke a SOR camp record for learning 20 songs in one week under my direction!



Good Times Magazine

• United States
• Insurance

• Advertising Sales

  • Oct 2010 - Feb 2011

  Long Island's best guide to entertainment for 51 years! If you have a business that could benefit from more publicity contact me about ad rates. This free paper is read from Manhattan to Montauk. College campuses, music stores, cafes and more! Reach your target audience. Great graphic design for free, just get us the details you want included in your ad. Long Island's best guide to entertainment for 51 years! If you have a business that could benefit from more publicity contact me about ad rates. This free paper is read from Manhattan to Montauk. College campuses, music stores, cafes and more! Reach your target audience. Great graphic design for free, just get us the details you want included in your ad.



Harriet Eisman Community School

• United States
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Media Specialist / Instructor

  • Mar 2008 - Jul 2010

  I worked as a media specialist and instructor for several classes at this very important Alternative School. It's a night school that serves anyone in Nassau County between the ages of 16 and 21 who wants to obtain a High School Diploma. I ran a newspaper, mixed media class, and a guitar class. I also produced one event per semester where students performed live and showcased original works. I worked as a media specialist and instructor for several classes at this very important Alternative School. It's a night school that serves anyone in Nassau County between the ages of 16 and 21 who wants to obtain a High School Diploma. I ran a newspaper, mixed media class, and a guitar class. I also produced one event per semester where students performed live and showcased original works.



DAYJAMS

• Musicians
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Feb 2008 - Jul 2008

  I was director of a children's rock camp for one summer. I was director of a children's rock camp for one summer.