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Conservatory & Music Lessons |
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Faculty Biographies |
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| A native of the Chicago area, Jeremy graduated from Northwestern State University. He's a dedicated teacher with over ten years of experience in working with students of all levels and abilities. Jeremy is also an accomplished studio and touring musician who's worked with a number of major label indie, rock and pop artists. | ||||
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Michael
Campagna Guitar instructor |
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| Michael Campagna is a
guitarist, composer and educator with over 30 years of experience.
He attended the University of Buffalo where he studied with some the
most influential musicians and composers of the 20th century, including
Charles Mingus, Morton Feldman, Charles Gales and Livingston Gerhardt.
He also studied Indian classical music from masters Mani Irani and
Mir Ben Jacob. He has worked with a diverse roster of musical artists
including Chaka Knan, Jennifer Holiday, Jeffery Osborne, Michale C.
Ford and Wei Wei. In addition to being an accomplished rock and jazz guitarist, is an expert at fingerstyle blues and bottleneck guitar. He enjoys working with students of all ages and ability levels. |
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| Yvette
M. Devereaux, Ph.D. Director, Orchestral and Jazz Strings Director |
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Ms. Devereaux earned a Doctorate of Philosophy at the Felton University, a Masters degree in music from the Peabody Conservatory of Music (John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD) after completing her Bachelors degree from Chapman University. She was the first African-American woman to be accepted into the conducting programs at both Chapman University and the Peabody Conservatory. Her principal Conducting Instructors were Fredrik Prausnitz and John Koshak. In addition, she received her violin training from Earl Carlyss (Juilliard String Quartet), Anne Thatcher, and John Sambuco, among others. Born in Los Angeles, California, Yvette Devereaux is a professional conductor, violinist, composer, arranger and music educator. She is the founder and artistic director of The Progressive Symphony and its educational component, The Progressive Arts Academy, based in Compton, California. In 1997, Maestro Devereaux competed in the "Mario Gusello" 4th International Conductor Competition, Pescara, Italy and was one of three Americans chosen as, a Semi-Finalist. In 1995 she appeared as guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with the F.A.M.E. Choirs of Los Angeles. She was a finalist for the position of Assistant Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of the Minnesota Symphony and Director/Conductor of the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra. She was the first woman to hold the position of Music Director/Conductor of the Southeast Community Symphony in Los Angeles. In 1993 Ms. Devereaux was chosen to compete in the Antonio Pedrotti 3rd International Competition for Orchestra Conductors in Trento, Italy. She has conducted the Chapman University Chamber Orchestra and University Symphony on tour in Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China, Spain, Hawaii and various American cities. She was a participant in the Carnegie Hall Corporation program for conductors with Pierre Boulez and spent two summers at the Conductors Guild Institute, held on the campus of the University of South Carolina. She has had the opportunity to work with such prominent conductors/composers as Jacob Druckman, Harold Farberman, Daniel Lewis, Dennis De Coteau, Lukas Foss, Samuel Adler and William Kraft. Recently, she worked on Alicia Keys upcoming CD as Concertmaster in New York. In addition, she made a special Solo Appearance with the ‘Disco Diva’ Donna Summers at the Hilton and MGM Hotel in Vegas and appeared with the Jazz Great Gerald Wilson and his Orchestra at the Thousand Oaks Performing Center and the Central Ave Jazz Festival. In addition, she was Principal Violinist, for Luciano Pavarotti’s Orchestra in Las Vegas at the Ceasar Palace and toured with Andre Bocelli. Lastly, she Conducted the orchestra and recorded the music as Solo Violinist for theSoundtrack and Score for the film, ‘Madea’s Family Reunion’ (2006) and ‘Diary of a Mad Black Women’ (2005) a Tyler Perry Movie. In addition as Violinist, Ms. Devereaux has performed and/or recorded with many Jazz and Pop Greats such as: Chaka Khan, Erukah Badu, Stevie Wonder, T.I, Billy Higgins, Ernie Andrews, Herbie Hancock, Art Hillery, McCoy Tyner, Nancy Wilson, Teddy Edwards, Natalie Cole, Dianna Krall, and others. In addition, she has also performed with great artists like: Justin Timberlake, Queen Latifah, Paul Anka, John Legend, James Brown, Donna Summers, Alicia Keyes, Andre Boccelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Allan Holdsworth, Alan Jackson, Isley Brothers, Smokey Robinson, John Williams, James Horner, Johnny Mandel, Celine Dion, John Clayton, Jeremy Lubbock, Frank Sinatra, Vanessa L. Williams, Whitney Houston, George Duke, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin and many others. Ms. Devereaux has received numerous honors and awards for her achievements such as the Community Leadership Award (Sponsored by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Los Angeles) Lifetime Honoree for Artists (Sponsored by the National Negro Woman Coalition) The Sing-a-Rama Honoree of the Year (Sponsored by the Churches of Christ, Los Angeles) Upward Bound Honoree of the Year; Who's Who in Music; The International Achievers of Tomorrow; Bank of America Scholars; Junior Achievement, USA; and several commendations from the City and County of Los Angeles, including the Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Tom Bradley. In addition to conducting, composing and performing, Ms. Devereaux is an advocate for education and the attention to young artists and is a frequent lecturer, adjudicator, educator and coach for many organizations, schools and institutions throughout the United States. She continue to Adopt Schools throughout Southern California by which she provide ’from scratch’ Instrumental Music Programs, particularly Strings, to allow children particularly in the Inner-City to have the ultimate universal experience and exposure.Top |
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Ryan Doyle Drums and Percussion Instructor |
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| Ryan has been playing and teaching drums for over 15 years. A native of San Diego, his interest in music began at a young age. He studied music and psychology at UCSD and San Diego State University. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2002 he has been active in the music scene as a performer and private teacher. Currently he performs nightly all over Southern California, playing jazz, latin and rock music. He has worked with many talents in jazz including Mundell Lowe, Jack Sheldon, Gary Foster, and Anthony Wilson, to name a few. | ||||
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| Brett
Farkas Guitar Instructor |
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| Brett Farkas is
a diverse guitar/bass player who specializes in Rock, Jazz, Blues,
and R&B . He has toured the globe, performed and recorded
with such artists as Solomon Burke, Van Morrison, Marcus Miller,
Martina McBride, Mozella, and Katherine McPhee. Brett also
plays in his own band called Population Game, in which they released
an album co-produced by Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers). The
group was featured on Rehearsals.com/Rehearsals TV. Brett has appeared on such TV shows as Good Morning America, Dancing With the Stars, Yahoo music, CD USA, and the Penn Gillete show. Brett has been teaching in a variety of settings. Upon graduating cum laude with a bachelor's of music from Western Michigan University, he has taught both privately as well as group sessions. His teaching focuses on developing the ear, theory, improvisation, rhythm and technique. He has also been a featured clinician making classroom visits demonstrating Blues music to elementary school kids throughout the LAUSD. |
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| Chris is noted drummer, clinician and educator with a wide background musical settings including; jazz, rock, world music, traditional Mexican music, pre-Hispanic music, percussion ensemble, soundtracks, and cartoon music. He attributes his musical growth to his studies with Professor John Bergamo, Pandit Tarnath Rao, Swapan Chadhouri and Leonice Shinemann where he studied tabla, while attending California Institute of the Arts on a full scholarship. Chris was also a member of the award winning Cal Arts Percussion Ensemble in 1979. He has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Southeast Asia. | ||||
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| Cynthia
Gong Piano Instructor |
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| Cynthia Gong received
her BM in piano performance and a BA in biology this past May at the
University of Southern California,where she studied with Bernadene
Blaha. She previously studied piano with Louise Lepley at the Colburn
School of Performing Arts. She also studied the violin with Richard
Schwabe and Margaret Shimizu, chamber music with Henry Gronnier and
Richard Naill, music theory with Douglas Dutton and Warren Spaeth,
and was a member of the Colburn School's orchestras. She has performed
in numerous recitals and concerts in Zipper Concert Hall and Mayman
Recital Hall, including two solo recitals in Mayman Hall. She has
played in master classes for world-renowned musicians including Murray
Perahia, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Lynn Harrell, and Earl Wild, and has
had the privilege to study with Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Barry Snyder, James
Bonn, and others. She has also performed at functions honoring His
Royal Highness Prince Philip, Art Linkletter, and even actors Lucy
Liu and Jet Li. In 2003, she was a finalist in the NFAA's Arts Recognition and Talent Search(ARTS), receiving a Level III Honor. In March 2003, she performed Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals with Jeffrey Kahane and the LA Chamber Orchestra. In the same year, she and her piano trio won grand prize at the John Walker Competition, and the Ozelle Rubenstein Grand Prize in Chamber Music at the Young Artists Peninsula Music Festival. In addition, the trio was the youngest finalist in the prestigious Coleman Chamber Music Competition, where they received the Russell Award. Within the past few years, she has won awards and recognition at several competitions, including the MTAC Concerto Competition, Westchester Symphony Concerto Competition, Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, Cypress College Piano Competition, MTAC Solo Competition, and various others. Top |
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| Zac
Hahn Rock and Jazz Guitar Instructor |
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| Kimberly Harrison Classical, Jazz and Pop Vocal Instructor Kimberly holds a Master’s degree in Vocal performance from the University of Denver and has been teaching for over eight years. She has since appeared with renowned vocal and orchestral ensembles, including the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Spoleto Vocal Arts Symposium, and the Mercury Ensemble. Kimberly incorporates numerous modalities and modern training methods, including Alexander Technique, meditation, Continuum, La Madre and Anusara yoga, dance, and holistic nutrition. As a voice teacher, Kimberly synthesizes these disciplines to create unique and powerful methods to free both the inner and the outer voice. As a performer, she has particular interest in crossover and experimental styles, including pop, jazz, medieval, renaissance, and Eastern Indian. After years of classical training and performance, she is now exploring fusions of these genres through songwriting, collaboration, recording, and performance. |
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Almer Imamovic Artistic Director, South Pasadena Music Center and Conservatory Guitar Ensemble director Guitar Instructor |
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Guitarist Almer Imamovic began his studies in Sarajevo, Bosnia under the guidance of the respected teacher of the Balkan region, Mila Rakanovic. Shortly after graduating high school in 1997, he had the great honor of playing with the London Mozart Players where he performed selections of Vivaldi in the Bosnian National Theatre. Almer then was awarded a scholarship to continue his studies at the famed Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris with Rafael Andia where he received a diploma for guitar and chamber music studies. While in France, Almer participated in the International Day of Culture in Stockholm where he was asked to perform in Nobel Hall. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with John Mills where he was awarded a teaching assistantship. During his time in Wales, he won the John Mills Prize and had very successful performances at Bolivar Hall and the Queen Alexander House in London. Almer completed his graduate studies at the University of Southern California studying with Scott Tennant and Pepe Romero. While at USC, Almer was the 1st place winner of the Fresno International Guitar Competition. As a soloist, Almer has performed with the Stivers Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sarajevo Philharmonic which included a special performance for the Bosnian leader Sulejman Tihic. In April 2007, Almer was invited to perform again with the Dayton PhilharmonicOrchestra under Maestro Gittleman for a two-night engagement in Ohio. In addition to these important solo engagements, Almer also is very involved in the promotion of world music and is a highly sought-after studio musician. He is currently on tour with classical/cross-over singer, Valencia Vas. While in Paris he began a guitar and flute duo, AlmaNova, with flutist, Jessica Pierce. AlmaNova has had many concerts together around the world, particularly in Sarajevo at the Dom Armije and in Paris at the Theatre de Naples. The duo has also performed at the Tijuana International Guitar Festival in 2004 in Mexico, the Cardiff International Center of Culture in Wales, the 2006 International Giuliani Festival in Pasadena and the 2007 National Flute Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. AlmaNova recently released their first album, ‘Debut’, featuring original compositions by Almer Imamovic for flute and guitar inspired by the folk melodies and dances from his native Bosnia. Their second album, the music of Mauro Giuliani, is due this fall. Almer is currently Artistic Director and Head of Guitar Studies at the South Pasadena Music Center and Conservatory.Top |
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| Catherine Lamb Violin, Viola Instructor |
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| Catherine graduated from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) with a BA in strings performance and composition. She has over ten years of both private teaching and youth orchestra coaching experience. She taught as part of Southwest Chamber Music's high school mentorship program and was a teaching assistant at CalArts. Top |
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Cynthia Mendehall Jazz and Pop Vocal Instructor |
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Cynthia was born in Texas, and raised in the jazz and blues hotbeds of Louisiana and Mississippi. She has entertained audiences from Louisiana to California and has performed with legendary jazz musicians such as John Heard, Earl Palmer, Art Hillary and the late Redd Callender. Combining a compelling stage presence, a large ranging repertoire, vocal expertise and top-notch musicianship, Cynthia Speer sings very much in the torch tradition of sultry jazz greats Nancy Wilson, Julie London, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughn, and the soulful blues songstress Bonnie Raitt. In 2005 recording of Cynthia's Debut CD, "Nature Girl" began with many great players of Los Angeles, including John Heard, Preston Smith, Sal Marquez, David Sills, Elliott Caine, Bill Markus, Jesse BradleyMike Hughes and Giovanni Nickens. This recording was released in January of 2006 and includes 9 well-known standards and 2 originals. It can be purchased at www.cdbaby.com and you can hear clips from it on this site under Music and read reviews of Cynthia and "Nature Girl" under Media |
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| Michael Mull Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone Instructor |
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| Michael is currently working on a MFA Degree at California Institute of the Arts, studying privately with Paul Novros and Vinny Golia, while also receiving instruction from Larry Koonse, Joe LaBarbara, Darek Oles, Wadada Leo Smith, David Roitstein, and John Lindberg. Michael has also studied/performed with Rob Lockart, Matt Harris, Tim Ries, John Pisano, James Miley, Howie Shear, Dan Higgins, Alex Iles, Richard Weller, Dave Becker, George Stone, and Bill Liston. Michael has composed/arranged music for big-band, small jazz ensembles, the avant-guarde ensemble "Nuveau", trumpet quartet, and brass quintet, and is venturing into further types of music and instrumentation possibilities. Michael has composed/arranged big-band music exclusively to feature trumpeter Howie Shear, saxophonists Tim Ries and Rob Lockart, and legendary guitarist John Pisano. Top |
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| Alex is a graduate of CalArts' jazz guitar department where he studied with Larry Koonse, Miroslav Tadic and others. He's been teaching for over five years and enjoys working with beginners through advanced students. He also teaches and leads clinics at Glendale Community College and Hoover High School. | ||||
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| Toti
O'Brien Piano Instructor |
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| Toti O'Brien graduated in piano, voice and music theory in Rome, Italy. She has had an extensive career as a musician, singer and fine artist with performances and exhibitions throughout Europe and the United States. Toti is a gifted and dedicated teacher who is especially adept at motivating beginners. She's a member of Banna Beag Mall, an Irish eclectic band, Fifth Friday, an international folk band and of the Arroyo Singers, a women's choir. | ||||
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| Tom Osuna Classical and Contemporary Guitar |
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| Tom Osuna earned his B.A. and Master’s degrees in Guitar Performance from the USC Thornton School of Music. Tom has nearly 30 years of teaching experience as private instructor, classroom settings and as clinician. He served on the faculty of USC Thornton School of Music for 10 years and taught at Occidental College. He is currently on the faculty of East L.A. College. He is an expert in the styles of rock, jazz, country and folk with an emphasis on fingerstyle. He is an active studio musician and has contributed to many film and television soundtracks. Top |
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Eric Patterson Director, Jazz Program Reeds Instructor |
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Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Eric came to Southern California when he enrolled at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music where he studied with Shelly Berg, Jason Goldman, Alan Pasqua, and Bob Sheppard, among many others. While in school Eric played a key role in the outreach program called JazzReach, for which he coordinated Manual Arts High School Jazz Ensemble for a year. In 2004 he lead the Southern California Jazz Collective on a tour of Southern California and Lima, Peru . In the fall of 2005 Eric was also named as one of the winners of the coveted John Coltrane Memorial Scholarship. Eric graduated from USC in May of 2006 after having the opportunity to play with many legends of music, including Bobby McFerrin, Dave Brubeck, Wayne Shorter, and even rock legend Steve Miller. Eric currently plays and teaches professionally throughout the LA area. His projects include both electric and acoustic jazz ensembles, composition, arranging, and writing a new book on beginning jazz improvisation. |
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Jessica Pierce Flute Ensemble Director Flute Instructor |
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Flutist Jessica Pierce began her studies in Northern California with Isabelle Chapuis and Mimi Carlson. Jessica attended Santa Clara University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in both music and French. During her time there, Jessica was a soloist with the Santa Clara Orchestra as well as the Saratoga Symphony. She was accepted into the prestigious Academie Internationale d’Ete de Nice where she studied with Philippe Bernold, Christian Lardé and Claude Bolling. Her studies then brought her to Paris where she attended the famed Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris with Pierre-Yves Artaud. Jessica performance and chamber music. While in Paris she began a guitar and flute duo, AlmaNova, with guitarist, Almer Imamovic. The duo has had many concerts together around the world, particularly in Sarajevo at the Dom Armije and in Paris at the Theatre de Naples. The duo has also performed at the Tijuana International Guitar Festival Wales, the 2006 International Giuliani Festival in Pasadena and the 2007 National Flute Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jessica is currently a student of Jim Walker at the University of Southern California where she has completed a Master’s Degree in Flute Performance and is completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts. While at USC, Jessica has performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Scott Tennant, Itzhak Perlman, Eleonore Schoenfeld, Peter Marsh, Gary Glaze, and Kevin Fitzgerald and has performed under the baton of Carl St. Clair, Sergei Commissiona, Jorge Mester, John Barnett, Yehuda Gilad, and Donald Crockett. Jessica has also worked along side great artists within the Pop/Rock world such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Richard Marx, Dennis DeYoung, Wayne Brady, and Heather Headley. AlmaNova is currently on tour with classical/cross-over singer, Valencia Vas. AlmaNova recently released their first album, ‘Debut’, featuring original compositions by Almer Imamovic for flute and guitar inspired by the folk melodies and dances from his native Bosnia. Their second album, the music of Mauro Giuliani, is due this fall. Jessica is currently Professor of Flute Studies at the South Pasadena Music Center and Conservatory. |
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| Don
Preston Keyboard Instructor |
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| Don Preston began his career in Detroit during the early '50s, where he was associated with pianist Tommy Flanagan. He also sat in with Elvin Jones and others at the city's West End Cafe where Yusef Lateef conducted twice-a-week jam sessions with Milt Jackson's brother, bassist Ollie Jackson. Preston moved to Los Angeles in 1957 where he hooked up with pianist Paul Bley, bassist Charlie Haden, and others who were hearing jazz in new ways. Preston joined Frank Zappa as the keyboardist and one of the original members of the Mothers of Invention in 1964. Preston performed and recorded with Zappa until 1974. At this time he also worked and recorded with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Carla and Paul Bley among others. He also has scored more than 20 feature film scores and 14 plays. He's the winner of numerous awards, and has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and London Philharmonic. Known to jazz and keyboard aficionados for his pioneering contributions in the use of synthesizers and piano, legendary clarinetist and composer John Carter dubbed Don Preston the "father of modern synthesis." In 2002, Don Preston joined forces with fellow M.O.I. Roy Estrada, and Napoleon Murphy Brock, from three very different legacies of Frank Zappa alumni along with guitarist Ken Rosser, and drummer/percussionist Christopher Garcia to form the Grande Mothers Re:Invented. Since then they have performed at numerous concerts and festivals throughout America, Canada and Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Germany, Holland, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland. (In 2005, guitarist, Miroslav Tadic replaced Ken Rosser in the lineup.) |
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| Dan
Schnelle Drums & Percussion Instructor Top |
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| A native of New Orleans, Vince has toured and recorded with many of that city’s most notable musicians, including Dr. John, Ziggy Modeliste, Harry Connick Jr. and Ivan Neville. A master of jazz, funk and other contempoarary styles, Vince has worked with diverse number of musical artists including John Fogerty, Percy Sledge, Dave Liebman, Ritchie Haywood and many others. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Vince served on the faculty of Tulane University for 10 years. | ||||
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| Pianist Jackie Tu currently studies with Bernadene Blaha at the USC Thornton School of Music. She has achieved recognition as a Redlands Bowl Young Artist, SYMF Young Recitalist, receiving a Bank of America Award in Arts, and winning numerous 1st prize awards throughout the Southern California region. Jackie has performed in masterclasses and taken lessons with international acclaimed musicians such as Boris Berman, Jorg Demus, and Earl Wild. She studied with Yin Yin Huang Acevedo for ten years prior to attending USC. She has also completed festivals in Vienna, Italy, Prague, and Maine. | ||||
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| Walter
Zooi Rock School Director Trumpet and Guitar Instructor |
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| Walter,
with his wife Rachel, is co-owner of South Pasadena Music. He
has held positions at USC’s Thornton School of Music, California
Institute of the Arts, the Eubanks Conservatory of Music and the
Nishiyamoto Academy. He has performed both a guitarist and trumpet
player on numerous CDs and was the Executive Director of the California
Outside Music Association for eight years. Walter enjoys working
with beginners and specializes in jazz and rock styles. Top |
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