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.
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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.
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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
Keyboardist and 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
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.
Tim Coyne
Trumpeter Tim Coyne has been active on the Northeast Ohio music scene for 30 years, and performs regularly with a variety of bands in several genres, including leading his own small group, the Tim Coyne Jazztet. Tim holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Kent State University, and is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
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.