Welcome to the website of The University of Akron's bassoon ensemble—BassoonaRoo.

Here you will find all you need to know about the bassoon studio, the bassoon ensemble, and its fearless leader, Cynthia Cioffari, professor of bassoon at UA.

The Studio

Jenni Maisel

2nd Year Grad

Jenni Maisel is a 2nd year graduate student working on her M.M. in bassoon performance. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tennessee State University in 2025 with bachelor’s degrees in computer science and bassoon performance. When she isn’t playing bassoon, she enjoys developing software programs for musicians!

Julia Stratton

Senior

Veronica Yahner

Senior

Julia Stratton is from Canfield, Ohio and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Canfield High School in 2023. She is currently in her fourth year at The University of Akron pursuing a degree in instrumental music education. Outside of classes, Julia is involved in the Epsilon Iota chapter of Tau Beta Sigma as Vice President of Membership, and The University of Akron's chapter of OCMEA as Secretary.

Veronica has been a student at The University of Akron since 2022. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Music with a Business Cognate and a communication certification in American Sign Language. She is a senior in the program and is loving every second of it. She hopes to teach general elementary music, or high school concert band in the future.

William Huber

Junior

William is a Bassoon Performance major and has been playing bassoon for 8 years. William attended Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and played with the Akron Youth Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. In addition to Bassoon, he enjoys playing bass guitar and saxophone. When not making music, William loves to bike, snowboard, or race cars, in addition to being involved with Campus Focus.

Breanna Sasanecki

Sophomore

Giada Ferrell

Sophomore

Josh Williams

Sophomore

Breanna Sasanecki is a sophomore at The University of Akron, pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering alongside a B.A. in Music. She attended Lake High School, and has performed with the Akron Youth Symphony, Canton Concert Band, and Kent Stark Concert Band. Her musical achievements include winning both the UA Concerto Competition and Akron Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, receiving the John Philip Sousa Award, and participating in the OBDC and OMEA All-State ensembles.

Giada Ferrell is a sophomore Music Education and Bassoon Performance major. She graduated from Licking Heights High School in Pataskala, Ohio, where she played bassoon in the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble. She also plays Alto Saxophone and is a proud member of The University of Akron Marching Band! She hopes to one day be a band director at the high school level, and eventually go on to be a college professor in bassoon or music education.

Joshua Williams is a Lake High School Honors graduate and Eagle Scout who is pursuing degrees in both Music Performance and Criminal Justice with a concentration in forensic science. His plan for the future is to perform in a professional orchestra and to become a member of the FBI as a forensic analyst. Currently, he is a member of the Alliance Symphony Orchestra and the Akron Club Wrestling team. Set to graduate in 2030, Joshua is excited for the bright future ahead.

Connor Powers

Sophomore

Angie Stump

Freshman

Connor Powers is a sophomore mechanical engineering student at The University of Akron and a bassoonist with the Akron Bassoon Ensemble. Though engineering is his major, music has always been an integral part of his life. He is now in his fourth year playing bassoon. This is his first year playing with BassoonaRoo, and he is excited to continue performing with the ensemble throughout his time at Akron.

Angie Stump is from Copley, Ohio and has been playing bassoon for 5 years. She is majoring in Music Education and Bassoon Performance. Angie has performed in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and OMEA All-State Band. She is so excited to be a part of Bassoonaroo and is looking forward to all of our performances this year!