MEET THE BAND
Maria Ferrara
The Dudette 😎 The "Maria" of "Maria & The Balance".
Observer of the human condition and musician/wannabe athlete/nerd/warm weather enthusiast. Self-proclaimed tequila, bourbon, and whiskey aficionado. Ohio sports lover. Almost a black belt in TaeKwonDo (check back for updates). Rarely says no to cheese or a side of ranch.
Oh right, music stuff! Maria has been playing music since the age of 4 and professionally since age 14. She has a degree in Guitar Performance from Kent State University where she was also in the Jazz Band, Women's Chorus, and Barbershop Quartet. Maria also studied at the Musician's Institute in Los Angeles.
A staple in the Northeast Ohio music scene for many years, Maria has been a bassist, guitarist, trombonist, and vocalist with such groups as Aquarius Rising, the Swizzle Stick Band, Ragin' Kane, and One Loudah. Connections is her first solo effort.
Jackson Boling
Guitar, backing vocals, and driver of the Winnebago. Goat whisperer (obviously).
Jackson started playing guitar shortly before he was born and is a fixture in the Cleveland and Akron music community. If you're a fan of live music and in Ohio, there's a good chance you've heard Jackson's tasty licks and angelic voice in such bands as GoodBoogie, Inc., Mothership, Motherhouse, Like Flinn, Raw Sugar, The Moonlight Serenaders, Soulstice, and One Fine Day. He's been called the "songbird of our generation" and can be described as a scholar and a gentlemen.
Chris DiCola
Slapping da bass for The Balance, Chris DiCola is a music producer and recording engineer out of Cleveland. Chris began his journey into the music scene as a teenager, playing bass in a ska band in 2010. Although the music has changed a lot along the way, his passion for bringing the groove remains as strong as ever.
Wendy Lawrence
Backing vocals for The Balance. From Minerva, Ohio, Wendy started out as a vocalist at the age of 3. After picking up her guitar and performing in the Texas country music scene, she has returned to her home state looking to start her new adventure. In her spare time, she enjoys singing and playing video games. Wendy is also an avid roadtripper.
Corey Hautmann
Drummer/percussionist for the Balance, Corey Hautmann, received his first drum kit at the age of 12 and has had a passion for music ever since. It is his love for jazz music that continues to be his foundation.
Watching & listening to other drummers from all genres taught him how to be versatile and develop his own style.
Currently residing in his hometown, Streetsboro Ohio, Corey is a Music Performance major at Kent State University, and he also enjoys the opportunity to play at local venues and festivals.
Beyond music, Corey enjoys spending time with family and friends and his Chocolate Lab, Cora
Doug Barber
Doug has been playing music in bands since the age of 14. He plays keyboard and plays many different musical styles including Motown, Gospel, Top 40, Classic Rock and Blues. He has performed consistently in the Akron/Cleveland area with groups suchs as The Blues Sisters and the Juke Hounds. He now plays with Swizzle Stick and the NightWork Band.
He’s also been fortunate to play in Memphis , TN on the famed Beale St. and also many major cities including Waterford and Dublin Ireland. In his musical career he has opened up for The Lovin' Spoonful, Dave Davies of the Kinks, Cactus, Johnny Winter, Jr. Brown, Phil Keagy, and Taj Mahal and more.
Doug’s other passions include mountain climbing in Colorado with his kids, bicycling, and hiking every chance he gets. He’s also gone out to New Mexico a few times and participated in cattle drives just because he was asked to by friends from out west. He also loves spending time with family and friends.
Scott Marsh
Scott Marsh is a Trombonist and Composer/Arranger from the Cleveland, Ohio area. He was a member of the Marine Forces Pacific Band stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawai’i where he played principle trombone in the Concert, Ceremonial, and Jazz Bands while also being a member of the Brass Quintet and the leader of the Dixieland Band. Scott also served as the Assistant Arranger for the band.
Over the following years he performed with many different groups covering many different styles. Scott is an experienced band leader and conductor as well. He has led all types of ensembles including Chorus, Orchestra, Concert Bands, Jazz Combos, and Funk Bands; he is currently the leader of Bone-afide. He also plays with the Dan Angotti Jazz/Rock Orchestra as a featured soloist and often subs with other area bands including Ernie Krivda and the Fat Tuesday Big Band and AZJazz.
Chuck Rickard
Chuck was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Kent State University's Hugh A. Glauser School of Music and has been active on the Northeast Ohio music scene since the age of 17!
Chuck has performed with many national and international acts including The Temptations, the O’Jays, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Les Elgart Orchestra, jazz singer Joe Williams, pianist Marian McPartland and Merengue Superstar Bonny Cepeda. He also performed with Jack Mack and the Heart Attack for the Scott Hamilton and Friends Cleveland Clinic fundraiser in 2001
Additionally, he has been active in the local NE Ohio music scene, performing with groups including private event bands Special Blend and Redline, Abby Normal and the Detroit Lean, Latin groups Tumbao Antillano, Sammy Deleon Orchestra, Groupo Fuego, Papo Ruiz, and other big bands such as the Mojo Big Band, Swing Time Big Band, The Dan Zola Orchestra and the Skatch Anderssen Orchestra.
Ryan Freeman
Ryan Freeman is a local saxophonist based in the Akron area who is currently finishing his undergraduate degree in Music Education with a minor in jazz studies at Kent State University. In addition to being a saxophonist, Ryan also loves to play the trombone, trumpet, flute, and any other instrument he can get his hands on. He has a passion to pass on his knowledge to the next generation and to mentor all of his students so they can become the best version of themselves.
Outside of music, Ryan loves to golf, rock climb, play board games, and to explore different hobbies with his friends and family. He is an avid French Bread Pizza eater, enjoys befriending cats, and can make a mean Peanut Butter Buckeye Bar.