Meet the Artists

Peter Martin Weiss - bassist - guitarist

”Bassist Peter Martin Weiss brings an elegant intimacy to the music.” says Rico Mitchell of the Los Angeles Times.

Peter began studying the guitar and string bass as a teenager, and later attended Berklee School of Music. He received his Bachelors degree from SUNY Oneonta, and a Masters degree from Manhattan School of Music, One of his greatest mentors was Homer Mensch, former principal bassist of the NY Philharmonic, with whom Peter studied for six years.

Peter became an established bassist on the NYC Jazz scene, also performing with the Bronx Symphony, the Greenwich Village Symphony, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. He taught for five years at the State University of NY at New Paltz on the jazz faculty.

As a long time member of the Etta Jones/Houston Person Quintet, Peter traveled world wide and recorded on over 40 CDs, including his own, Bass Hits, on the Savant record label. The group was like a family, the music swinging and passionate, while performing internationally at jazz festivals and concerts. His 30 years of performance credits include playing with Nat Adderly, Ray Bryant, Winard Harper, Michael Carvin, Claudio Roditi, Donald Harrison, Hank Crawford, Richard Wyands, Gloria Lynn, Frank Wess, Grady Tate, Kenny Washington, Melvin Sparks, Lorez Alexandria, and Della Griffin.

Peter met pianist Jane Hastay in San Francisco while on tour and soon after they were married. The couple collaborated and produced the CD Never Never Land.

Now living in East Hampton, Peter currently teaches private guitar and bass lessons, sings with the Choral Society of the Hamptons and performs locally on bass and nylon string guitar ... and moves boulders whereever Jane says she wants them in their rock garden.

Dominic Inferrera - baritone

Baritone Dominic Inferrera won critical acclaim in the role of The Son in Hugo Weisgall’s Six Characters in Search of an Author with Opera Festival of New Jersey, where The New York Times proclaimed him a “standout”. Other roles include Escmillo in Opera Delaware’s Carmen, Silvio and Marco in Pagliacci/Gianni Schicchi with Opera Delaware, Masetto in Don Giovanni with Toledo Opera and Annapolis Opera, Lescaut in Opera Memphis's production of Manon Lescaut, Guglielmo in Così fan Tutte with Capital City Opera, Moralès in Carmen with Opera Festival of New Jersey, Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress, The Swineherd in John Harbison's A Full Moon in March with Encompass Opera Theater, and Pontius Pilate in Brooklyn Academy of Music’s critically acclaimed St. Matthew Passion.

Mr. Inferrera is equally at home singing opera, oratorio, musical theater, pop, jazz, and contemporary music. He has appeared with Jack Everly and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Oregon Symphony, Utah Festival Opera, Colorado Symphony, Ocean City Pops (New Jersey), and the Naples Philharmonic in Florida with conductor Erich Kunzel, and the Meredith Monk Ensemble.

Mr. Inferrera is a favorite soloist with the Greenwich Village Singers, and the Choral Society of the Hamptons. He enjoys performing contemporary music in venues such as Merkin Hall and the Moscow/St. Petersburg Contemporary Music Society, including frequent collaborations with composer Louis Karchin in pieces such as American Visions, a song cycle on Yevtushenko poetry with the Da Capo Chamber Players, and Orpheus, a masque for baritone, chamber ensemble, and dancers available on Albany Records. Fanfare magazine remarked, “Karchin’s music is not easy to sing and baritone Dominic Inferrera… captures the wide range of expression [he] demands of his singers.”

Lilah Gosman - soprano

Originally from Montauk, New York, soprano Lilah Gosman has been hailed as a “shining star on the operatic firmament”. Ms. Gosman is equally at home in operatic productions, the concert stage, and in recital. Lilah has appeared with the Annapolis Symphony, One World Symphony and with the Theater Chamber Players performing at the Kennedy Center. Operatic performances include Zerlina, in Mozart’s Don Giovanni; Susanna, in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro; Lauretta, in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi; Echo, in Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos and Cleopatra, in Handel’s Giulio Cesare. Other roles include Hansel, in Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck; Rosette, in Manon by Massenet; Adeleide, in Lotario by Handel and Soprano, in Einstein on the Beach by Phillip Glass. Lilah was a featured artist at The Whitney Museum’s annual Art Affair, where she performed with a full band in collaboration with singer/songwriter Moby. On the concert stage Lilah has been heard at Avery Fisher Hall, Opera North, Aspen Music Festival, International Institute of Vocal Arts in Chiari, Italy, and Tanglewood Music Center.

Lilah holds a Masters in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Mignon Dunn. Lilah earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Peabody Conservatory where she was a student of Phyllis Bryn-Julson. Lilah is a featured artist in a new opera lecture series, where she performs scenes from various 20th century operas and works with contemporary composers such as Mark Adamo and Robert Aldridge. She maintains a passion for new music and has premiered several new works by contemporary composers.

Toby Altman - Vocalist

“Do what your creative heart feels”

Most babies start out babbling words like “Mama & Dada” but Toby Altman’s first words were a jazzy interpretation of the Campbells’ soup commercial, “Mmmmm good.”

Everyone’s journey has different callings and she is simply answering the loudest and clearest one.

Toby has sung at the Blue Note, the Green Street Cafe, and Mikells, in NY, and performed at several annual appearances of the NY Women's Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center. Touring the Caribbean and Asia taught her that the international language is MUSIC. Now Toby has chosen to live on the North Fork where it all began, performing frequently for her community.  Most recently she has sung for the 2nd annual “Jazz on the Vine Concerts” on the East End of Long island.

Rebecca Dorsey - Vocalist

Modern-day chanteuse Rebecca Dorsey takes a page from some of her multifaceted, multilingual heroines including Peggy Lee, Eartha Kitt, Astrud Gilberto, and Blossom Dearie. Ms. Dorsey began studying ballet at age 4, inspiring a passion for performing that evolved into TV and film acting, modeling, and singing.  She is a favorite on the fund raising and celebrity circuit. Ms. Dorsey was a featured performer during the Hilary Clinton campaign, she has opened for Tony Bennett and sang at Don Rickles 80th birthday party. On July 29 she once again is delighted to share the stage with singer/pianist Freddy Cole.

Other memorable appearances include La Cave in Paris, Peter Scott’s in Orlando, the Lai Lai Sheraton in Taiwan, and The Bermuda Jazz Cruise Festival. She recently produced a touring original cabaret act, “The Room Above,” a tribute to the spirits in her ancestral Long Island homestead. These days, Rebecca manages to juggle a busy performing career with an active family. Her most devoted fans are her TV producer husband Paul Shavelson, 17 year-old daughter Aria,  (who created Rebecca’s bejeweled mic stand) and son Mercer, age 9, a budding pianist, drummer, and violinist. 

Having lived in Paris, Rebecca's heartfelt connection to French chansons has received much acclaim. She is thrilled to share her love for all things French in Under Paris Skies.

Stephanie Mocilan - Violinist

Stephanie Mo

cilan began her studies in violin at the age of 11. She placed first in numerous competitions, including a performance at Wolftrap in Alexandria, VA and Congress of Strings, held in Cincinnati, OH. At age 14, Stephanie began performing period music and Highland Fiddling for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in the Historic Area, as well as performing jazz with many of the pianists at the Williamsburg Inn and Lodge. Stephanie received her Bachelors Degree in Music Performance and Education from The College of William & Mary.

Ms. Mocilan gave concerts and high tea recitals at The Governor’s Palace, Burton Parish Church, and the Capital Building. Over the years, she has had the privilege of performing for Queen Elizabeth and U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush Sr. In NYC, Stephanie has appeared as an Irish and Scottish Highland fiddler for the Emerald Society, the St. Andrews Society, at Highland Games and events at Malcolm Forbes’ estate in NJ. Ms. Mocilan’s Long Island concert roster includes the Choral Society of the Hamptons, Peconic Masterworks, Choral Society of the Moriches, Sound Symphony, Long Island Symphonic Choral Assoc. and the Hampton Chamber Orchestra.  She directs a Pre-k through 8th Grade Suzuki Strings program at the Our Lady of the Hamptons school. Several of her students attended the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute this summer receiving high commendations.

Joshua South - baritone

Joshua So

uth made his Carnegie Hall debut singing the role of Riff in the New York Philharmonic’s West Side Story Suites. He was a member of the Servant’s Chorus in a semi-staged production of My Fair Lady, starring Kelsey Grammer, Brian Dennehy, and Kelli O’Hara, also with the New York Philharmonic. In the 2006-07 season Joshua appeared in the American premiere of Sir Paul McCartney's oratorio Ecce Cor Meum at Carnegie Hall. He has performed at Avery Fisher Hall with the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leon Botstein, and in New York City’s Sacred Music in a Sacred Space concert series.

Ensemble credits include the New York Choral Artists, the Choir of St. Agnatius Loyola, Temple Emanu-El, and Concert Chorale of New York. He is a soloist and cantor for services at the Cathedral of St. Patrick - broadcasted internationally on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.  In the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s critically acclaimed staging of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Mr. South’s role as Peter was described as “unforgettable” by the New York Times. 

Among other careers in New York Joshua plays piano for the Ballet Academy East, is a professional photographer, and has been seen on the big screen in The Notorious Bettie Page. Television credits include PBS Live from Lincoln Center, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Good Morning America. 

Vanessa Trouble - Vocalist

“Vanessa T

rouble is a rare talent!” 

Jack Lebo, Big Band Report.

Vanessa Trouble’s swinging, vivacious style was showcased during her years as lead singer for New York’s Central Park Stompers. She’s been performing for over a decade in New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Atlanta, New Orleans, London, and Paris. She has charmed audiences in Ireland and Norway, and was the headlining artist at the Four Seasons Hotel and the Venetian Hotel & Casino in Macao, China.

Vanessa entertained Jennifer Lopez and friends for the star’s 40th birthday celebration. She has performed for Bill Gates, Clark Terry, Dana Carvey, Penny Marshall, Quincy Jones, Colin Cowie, Melissa Etheridge, Tom Selleck, Ron Perelman, Sheldon Adelson and George Pataki. New York venues include Pierre’s in Bridgehampton, Opia Lounge, Tavern on the Green, The Carlyle Hotel, The Rainbow Room, The New York Stock Exchange, The Bubble Lounge, The Screening Room, Café Deville, Torch, The Grand Havana Room, Cibar, Metronome, and The Mansfield Hotel "M" Bar.

Festivals: Bethlehem, PA Musikfest, The Old Westbury Summer Concert Series, Annual Fleet Week Gala ‘04 aboard the Intrepid Museum. Corporate clients: The Walt Disney Company, Honeywell, Calvin Klein, American Express, Lancôme, SL Green, David Yurman and Microsoft.  

Vanessa has given children's educational concerts at New York public schools, and has lent her voice to Nickelodeon’s popular children’s show  Blue’s Clues, singing the original song Day Turns Into Night. 

CD’s include The Summer Sessions (1999) and Too Darn Hot (2004).