| EDUCATION: |
|
1983
|
Ph.D. |
Music
Education |
University
of Kansas |
|
1978
|
M.M.E. |
Music
Education |
University
of Kansas |
|
1976
|
B.S. |
Music
Education |
Florida
A&M University |
PROFESSIONAL
PROFILE:
More than twenty-three years as a college professor, educator,
guest speaker and consultant to a variety of arts organizations
and companies. Served as director of jazz studies and department
chair at two major institutions of higher education. Strong points:
motivate and empower co-workers; delegate and supervise employees;
ability to solve problems; effective decision-maker and excellent
communicator. Proven fiscal management and organizational skills
in a variety of settings.
·
Communication- Very comfortable speaking in public and addressing
small and large groups. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication
skills with all constituent groups.
· Administration- Team leader committed to soliciting the
opinions of colleagues, but will make decisions after all data
has been gathered. Visionary, with an ability to see the "big
picture." Planning and implementation of programs and special
projects. Will encourage an ownership mentality among colleagues.
· Musical
Background- Entire professional career dedicated to the
perpetuation of music and music education. Have performed and
directed a variety of musical ensembles, including university
ensembles, high school All-State ensembles, Walt Disney College
Ensembles and the Grammy National Ensembles. Have worked with
many jazz masters including, Joe Williams, Mercer Ellington,
Dianne Reeves, Nnena Freelon, and James Moody.
·
Fundraising- demonstrated success as a fund-raiser for university
and non-profit organizations. The ability to maintain and nurture
relationships with private, corporate/business and government
agencies.
Professional
History:
The University of Southern California
Professor 1999- present
·
Serves as professor in the Thornton School of Music in the Jazz
Studies Department
· Courses Taught: MUSC 450 The Music of Black Americans,
MUJZ 588 Jazz: A Cultural
Phenomenon, MUJZ 545 Jazz Ensemble Development, MUJZ 550 Jazz
Pedagogy.
· Serves on a series of university committees including
the Dean Search for the Thornton School of Music.
International Association
of Jazz Educators (IAJE)
President 1999-2001
The International Association of Jazz Educators
(IAJE) was founded in 1968 and is the largest jazz association
in the world with a membership of 12,000 from thirty-two countries.
The mission of IAJE is to serve as the leading organization for
the perpetuation of jazz via education and outreach. To that end,
the organization serves as a major catalyst for convening all
facets of the global jazz community, including, jazz educators,
artists, industry representatives, journalists and jazz enthusiasts.
·
Provide leadership and vision for overall association.
· Co-CEO with the Executive Director oversees the 1.5
million operating budget.
· Served as co-chair for the strategic planning which
includes capital campaign to raise $2 million 2001-2002. Met
with several foundation and government agencies to further campaign.
· Worked with National Endowment of the Arts to maintain
grant support for jazz masters.
· Maintain and nurture the relationships with all of
the major record labels, which account for more than $300,000
of artist's fees expenses donated to our annual conference.
Thelonious
Monk Institute of Jazz @ The University of Southern California
Director/Professor 1999-2001
The Thelonious Monk Institute moved to the University
of Southern California (USC) in 1999 after four years at the New
England Conservatory in Boston. The program is designed to assist
the students with the launching of their careers in jazz. The students
are paired with jazz masters in an academic environment. Students
are given the option to pursue either a professional diploma or
the master's degree conferred by USC. The students perform with
major jazz artists and participate in a variety of outreach programs.
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Developed curriculum for students in program and initiated
the outreach programs in Los Angeles.Developed performance
venues with Los Angeles jazz clubs. |
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Selected
jazz masters for the students in the program. Coordinated
the masterclasses and outreach activities for jazz masters. |
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Worked with development officer at the Monk Institute and
served as a major contact person for securing matching grant
from the Doris Duke Foundation. |
|
·
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Initiated
the partnership with several companies to serve as sponsors
for the Monk Institute. |
|
·
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Initiated
contact with Terence Blanchard to serve as Artistic Director.
Coordination of programming with the artistic director. |
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·
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Assisted
with the development of the Summer Teacher Training Institute,
including selection of faculty and curriculum design. |
University
of Minnesota Chair and Professor of African and African American
Studies Jazz Studies
1990-1999
The University of Minnesota is in the Big 10 Conference.
The School of Music resides in the College of Liberal Arts. There
are more than 600 music majors. Minneapolis is a very arts conscience
community with many opportunities for students in music to interact
with professional artist.
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·
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Lead
the strategic planning session for the African and African
American Studies department, which allowed the overall growth
in number of majors and a more focused mission. |
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·
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Was able to garner scholarship funds for students and develop
corporate partners for both programs. |
|
·
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Provided
leadership and vision for the departments and was in charge
of the $1.7 million budget for both the African American and
Jazz Studies departments. |
|
·
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Taught
several courses in both departments including a class titled,
The Music of Black Americans. |
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·
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Established
funding to hire Bobby McFerrin as a visiting artist for 1999-2000. |
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·
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Developed
homecoming concert series that invited prominent Minnesota
natives to return to the campus for a series of concerts and
masterclasses. |
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Developed
collaborative program with dance department to present a series
of Duke Ellington's 
suites |
The Grammy
Foundation, Grammy Ensembles and Grammy Signature Schools: Program
Director/Consultant 1996- present
The
Grammy Foundation Ensembles were designed to assemble the most
talented high school students in the country for several concerts
and clinics. The students convene for ten days in New York or
Los Angeles (Depending on the location of the Grammys). Students
prepare for concerts, recording session, and outreach activities.
The Signature Schools program is designed to reward high schools
in America that have exemplary programs consisting of choir, orchestra,
wind ensemble and jazz ensemble.
· Assisted
with the process of auditioning the students and selection of
materials for performance.
· Assisted with the preparation of the budget of the more than
$400,000 for these programs.
· Serves as adjudicator and director for both programs with
talent selection and establishing criteria for selecting Signature
Schools.
Disney
Company, College Work Experience Program
Artistic Director/Consultant 1990-1996
The Disney College work experience program is designed to offer
college students the opportunity to interact and perform with
major jazz artist. The college program presented a Tribute to
Duke Ellington in partnership with the Smithsonian Institute.
· Assist
with the overall planning and vision for the college program.
·
Select the artists that performed with the college program and
assisted with the show design.
· Helped to prepare the $1 million budget for the presentation
of the Ellington Tribute at EPCOT.
The
University of Kansas Director of Jazz Studies
1983-90
The University of Kansas is a major institution in the Big Twelve
Conference with a thriving department of Music and Dance.
| · |
Established the jazz studies program and brought national
and international prominence to the department of Music and
Dance. |
| · |
Developed jazz festival at the university with $500 budget
that grew to over $75,000 annually.
Festival continues to attract schools with highly talented
programs. |
Professional Affiliations:
International Association of Jazz Educators, President
Music Educators National Conference, member
International Trumpet Guild, member
National Endowment for the Arts, panelist
National Advancement for the Arts (NFAA), consultant
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