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BAND MEMBERS

Koichiro Suzuki - Euphonium

Originally from Okinawa, Japan, Koichiro Suzuki came to the United States in 1996 to march and perform with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in Madison, Wisconsin. As a member of the Madison Scouts he won first place DCI Individual Solo Baritone Completion in 1997 and 1998.  Also, Suzuki was a member of a brass quintet that won the fist prize in DCI Ensemble Competition in 1998.  In 2005, Suzuki received a BFA in euphonium performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he studied with Alan Baer, principal tubist of the New York Philharmonic, and Marty Erickson, who served in the United States Navy Band in Washington D.C. for twenty-six years.  Suzuki has soloed twice with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Symphony Band.

Jon Augustine – Clarinet

Jonathan Augustine is a freelance clarinetist/ bass clarinetist in the Pittsburgh Area, specializing in classical and contemporary performance. He received his BM in clarinet performance at Bowling Green State University studying with Kevin Schempf and Georg Klaas and has completed his Master of Music degree in clarinet performance at Duquesne University studying with Pittsburgh Symphony clarinetist, Ron Samuels. Jonathan has performed with the Pittsburgh Opera Theater, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony and the Firelands Symphony.  He is also the clarinetist with Cuidado, a Pittsburgh based tango group.

Vladimir Mollov- Accordion

Born on the January, 1983 to a family of self-taught wedding musicians, Vladimir was inspired by the sounds of the accordion since early childhood. At the age of seven he started taking accordion lessons with the nationally recognized pedagogue Nadejda Nicheva in Kazanluk, Bulgaria.  At his later stages of musical development he studied with Peter Marinov, a professor in the National Music Academy, Hristina Danova; and Nedelcho Dimitrov. At the age of fifteen he was placed first in the International Competition for Accordion and Guitar in Asenovgrad, Bulgaria; received fourth place in the World Accordion Competition in Castelfidardo, Italy; placed second in the national accordion competition in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where he received a special award for virtuosic performance of folk music.  During his senior year in high school he received a first award in the national competition for variety music and jazz on accordion in Novi Pazar, Bulgaria.

During 2002 he joined the Duquesne University Tamburitzans and for the four years when he was a student in the university he performed over three hundred and fifty shows with the ensemble. Vladimir is currently working on composing, arranging and recording a solo accordion album featuring folklore, jazz and some new experimental fusion styles.

Michael Borowski - Guitar

Born in Williamsport Pa January 4th, 1988, Michael Borowski started playing guitar in middle school and began to study jazz and classical music in high school from a local music school the Uptown Music Collective. At the Collective, he had a lot of opportunities to play out and receive a great musical background before attending Duquesne University Fall of 2006. Currently, Michael performs with Cuidado, a Pittsburgh based tango group

Ryan McMasters –Bass

Coming from a musical family, it's no surprise that bassist Ryan McMasters got an early start in performing.  Starting on cello at the age of nine and switching to bass in high school, Ryan's passion for music has led to performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Opera Theater, The Disneyland All-American College Band, and the Duquesne University Symphony Orchestra, to name a few.  As a sideman he's performed with Sean Jones, Mike Tomaro, Phat Man Dee, Astral Project, Wayne Bergeron, Sal Lozano, Alex Iles, Gordon Goodwin, Gregg Field, Matt Neiss, the Airmen of Note, and Steve Houghton.  He has world premiered several new works, including the ballet "The Snow Queen".  Ryan's touring credits include the Boogie Hustlers and the Duquesne University Jazz Ensemble.

(the Tango band)

Cuidado is Pittsburgh’s most dangerous new tango band. We consist of students and alumni of the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and the eclectic mix of players draws on extensive backgrounds in classical, jazz, pop and tango performance to create a unique and fresh sound. Koichiro Suzuki, founder of Pittsburgh’s newest tango school, PGH Tango Connection, leads the group. We are available for to perform in all venues and for all events. Contact us for more information on bookings and upcoming performances.