For contact information, please consult the Faculty Directory
BASSOON: |
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CLARINET: |
BERKELEY PRICE: |
FLUTE: |
PAT MAKI received her MM degree in performance for the University of Southern California and is on the applied faculty at El Camino College. Her performance credits include recording artist with the Los Angeles Camerata, John Tesh Enterprises and Guess Jeans. She has been a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Camerata, the El Camino College Symphony, the El Camino Faculty Orchestra, the Marina Del Rey-Culver City and Downey Symphonies. She is currently principal flute with the Marina Del Rey-Culver City and Downey Symphonies. She is co-founder of Campus Concerts, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting school music enrollment and is the coordinator of the Pat Maki Players, an ensemble of outstanding professional recording and orchestral musicians who perform throughout Los Angeles in chamber music recitals and background music for special events. They can be heard on Miramax’s "Rhyme or Reason”, Polygram’s “Chameleon” and others. |
FRENCH HORN: |
TAWNEE LILLO: Tawnee Lillo is an Internationally accomplished performing artist with a music services business whom has recently ventured into the YouTube world, creating valuable content for the Music Industry! Also, an advocate of her singing dog, Booker. Tawnee can be heard on the 2020 Grammy's with Ariana Grande, Disney’s latest soundtrack and cinematic installment of Star Wars; Rogue One or on the 2017 AMA's with 2018 Grammy Winners Portugal. The Man, to name a few. Ms. Lillo’s professionalism, diverse musicality and dynamic horn abilities have allowed her such opportunities as French Horn soloist in the Tony Award winning Broadway show, Blast, participating in national music tours such as Shockwave, Josh Groban and Mannheim Steamroller. Tawnee has advanced studies from impeccable artists such as Richard Todd and Vincent DeRosa where her career as a horn player has brought her opportunities recording for film and television. Having studied and developed skills in all styles of music, Lillo has not been contained within genres such as classical, jazz, classic rock, electronic & improvisation. Rather, Tawnee has continued to explore a wide range of musical artistry. Serving as both Orchestra Manager and principal horn for Center Stage Opera for several years, her abilities naturally grew into that of teaching as an Adjunct Professor while running music services business for high profile clients. Lillo’s precise ability to hire professional orchestras and to deliver high profile clients has earmarked her among the finest of modern day music business entrepreneurs. By demand, Tawnee Lynn Music Services is working to expand the reach of the music industry, allowing for more creative and streamlined opportunities for professional musicians while educating and advancing those whom study with her. Tawnee Lynn Lillo received her education and training from the University of Arizona, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in horn performance. Additional studies in horn performance earned her a Master’s Degree from the University of Southern California. |
GUITAR: |
Matthew Greif specializes in jazz and classical guitar. He has performed worldwide, covering the stylistic spectrum, from Los Angeles jazz club Baked Potato to New York’s Carnegie Hall. He is a member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Matthew holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from USC where he studied jazz guitar with Joe Diorio and Frank Potenza, and classical guitar with William Kanengiser and James Smith. www.matthewgreif.net
JONATHAN KLEINHANS: Jonathan Kleinhans is a composer and guitarist based in Los Angeles. In 2015, Jon received his Doctorate in Musical Arts Degree from USC's Thornton School of Music with an emphasis in Studio Jazz Guitar. Over the years Jon has supplemented his academic training with private study in composition, counterpoint, and orchestration from some of the best in the industry such as Neal Desby, Vince Mendoza, Russell Ferrante, and Bob Mintzer. He holds minor fields in Music Theory and Music Recording/Technology from USC and is fluent in an assortment of popular music styles including jazz, rock, country, and bluegrass. Aside his career as an active educator, mentor, and freelance guitarist, Kleinhans specializes in film and commercial composition. His sound can further be explored at jonkleinhansmusic.com
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ORGAN: |
JAMES HURD: USC. Full-time professor of music. Dr. James Hurd has taught organ at El Camino College since 1973. He received his Bachelor Degree in music from Washburn University, studying organ with Max Elsberry. He received a Master Degree from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where D?r. Edward Eigenschenk was his instructor. In 1973, he received a DMA degree from USC and was an organ student of Dr. Irene Robertson. He is currently Organist/Director of Music at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Redondo Beach, CA. Dr. Hurd has performed across America and Europe as an organ soloist. He and Dr. William Doyle were featured in performances for trumpet and organ in both California and Europe, the last being a performance at St. Stephans Cathedral in Vienna, Austria. Dr. Hurd's organ concerts have showcased traditional organ literature as well as jazz and gospel arrangements for the pipe organ. |
PIANO: |
Dr. Chambers-Salazar has been featured as the “Artist of the Morning” on KUSC (FM 91.5), and has received awards in many competitions, including the Simon-Fiset Competition, the New Orleans International Piano Competition, and the Seattle Young Artists Festival. Music from her recording “First Flight” may be heard on KUSC Classical Radio. In addition, Dr. Chambers-Salazar is the author of Essential Piano Techniques: A Guide to Practice and Performance, published by Kendall Hunt.
Dr. Chambers-Salazar received her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Southern California, and is currently the Director of Piano Studies at El Camino College. Previously she served on the keyboard faculty of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.
You may hear more performances by Polli on her YouTube channel
Brazilian pianist Rafael Liebich has earned degrees from the State University of Campinas, the Federal University of the Rio Grande do Sul State, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the USC Thornton School of Music, in the studio of Dr. Stewart Gordon. Beyond performing with various ensembles and concert series throughout California, Dr. Liebich teaches at University of La Verne, El Camino College, and Neighborhood Music School in Boyle Heights. He is a strong advocate of contemporary music, working as assistant director to “People Inside Electronics” concert series. Highlights of his career include a series of workshops with musicians of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, a presentation at the International Society of Music Education world conference in Beijing, and a publication on music interpretation and aesthetics for a journal in Brazil. From USC Thornton School of Music he received honors such as the Keyboard Ensemble Award, the Keyboard Studies Department Award, as well as induction into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society. More on http://rafaelliebich.wix.com/piano. |
JAZZ PIANO: |
JAKE SILVERMAN: |
JAZZ TRUMPET: |
DREW NINMER: Drew Ninmer is a freelance composer, arranger, orchestrator, and trumpet player based in Los Angeles. He holds a Masters degree in jazz studies from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelors degree in jazz studies from the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana. In addition to El Camino College, Drew works as an adjunct faculty member at Long Beach City College, teaching jazz and classical trumpet students and various classes. |
LOW BRASS: |
ROBERT COOMBER: Specializing in trombone, euphonium, tuba. Mr. Coomber received a Bachelor of Music
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PERCUSSION: |
JOSEPH MITCHELL: B.A., California State University, Northridge; M.F.A., University of California, Los Angeles; Mr. Mitchell is active in southern California as a performer and teacher. He has worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, and American Ballet Theater in addition to numerous other orchestras throughout the region and has twice toured internationally with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As a soloist and chamber musician he has performed recitals as Artist-in-Residence at El Camino College in association with the South Bay Center for the Arts. Mr. Mitchell has recorded with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Fantasia, Mikki Howard, Adrianna Evans, and James Newton. His teaches keyboard percussion, timpani, snare drum, and accessory percussion instruments. DEAN KOBA: BA, Percussion Performance, Northwestern University; MM, Jazz Studies, USC School of Music. Performed with such jazz greats Benny Bailey, Bud Shank, the Clayton Brothers, Bill Cunliffe, Jeff Berlin, Gary Foster, Fareed Haque, Makoto Ozone, Roberta Gamborini, Jackie Ryan, and Tamir Hendelman, among others. Currently freelances in the greater Los Angeles area and has specialized in jazz drum set instruction for 22 years. www.deankoba.com |
SAXOPHONE/OBOE: |
DAVID MOYER: D.M.A., USC. M.M., USC. B.A., UCLA. Dr. Moyer is a professional saxophonist, arranger/composer, educator, and producer based in his hometown of Los Angeles, CA. He is Director of Jazz Studies, Director of Instrumental Music, Applied Music Coordinator, and Assistant Professor of Music at El Camino College in Torrance, CA. In addition to a well-rounded teaching practice, Dr. Moyer maintains a dynamic career as a performing and recording musician. He has performed, toured, and recorded with influential jazz musicians Gerald Wilson, Anthony Wilson, Kamasi Washington, and Karreim Riggins, along with hip hop and funk/soul luminaries: Guru, Big Daddy Kane, Chali 2na, DJ Premier, Dakah Hip Hop Orchestra, and singers/songwriters/rockers: Tears For Fears, Sara Bareilles, and Cage The Elephant. Dr. Moyer has performed internationally at venues such as: The Glastonbury Festival (UK), Coachella Music and Arts Festival (USA), The Istanbul Jazz Festival (Istanbul, Turkey), La Defense Jazz Festival (Paris, France), Billboard Live (Tokyo, Japan), the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and The Barbican Theatre (London, UK), throughout jazz venues in Southern California, and has performed on myriad television shows. Dr. Moyer co-leads contemporary jazz quintet DD Horns. Their self-titled debut recording DD Horns was released independently in March, 2017 to critical acclaim. It was listed as Best New Jazz on Bandcamp: March 2017 and their version of Vampire Weekend’s “Obvious Bicycle” was included on Portland, Oregon Jazz Radio KMHD’s Top Singles of 2017. DD Horns is releasing their second album Cali Shine in 2022. Dr. Moyer’s robust sound, creative arrangements, and unique approach to work in the studio can be heard on recordings including Jimmy Cliff’s Grammy winning record ‘The Rebirth,’ Snoop Dogg’s ‘Snoop Lion’, Iggy Pop, Florence And The Machine arranged by Kamasi Washington, U2, Gary Clark Jr, Haim, Mavis Staples, Regina Spektor, and 21 Pilots, among many more.
ANN PATTERSON is probably best known as the leader of the highly acclaimed all-female jazz big band Maiden Voyage, with major appearances at the Concord, Monterey, and Playboy Jazz Festivals, the Kennedy Center, the Tonight Show, the Hollywood Bowl, and throughout Japan. A veteran Los Angeles freelance saxophonist and woodwind player working in all areas of the music business, her oboe can be heard on the theme music for NBC's "Parks and Recreation". She has performed and/or recorded with the big bands of Don Ellis, Bill Holman, Buddy Colette, Jack Sheldon, Buddy Childers, Frank Capp’s Juggernaut, Tim Davies, and James Newton’s Luckman Jazz Orchestra. She has backed, toured or recorded with such artists as Louie Bellson, Joe Williams, Etta James, Sheena Easton, Amanda McBroom, Gloria Loring, Lou Rawls, Barry White, Melissa Manchester, The Temptations, John Mayall, Ray Charles, Dave Stewart, and k d lang. A graduate of the University of North Texas (B.M.) and the University of Illinois (M. M. and M. S.) as a classical oboist and music educator, Ms. Patterson also has completed the coursework for the DMA in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California. Named Jazz Educator of the Year in 2000 by the Los Angeles Jazz Society, she has taught at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, Cerritos College, California State University Dominguez Hills, and the Henry Mancini Institute. She currently teaches jazz courses and saxophone at El Camino and Los Angeles Harbor College and is on the faculty of the Colburn School. She was awarded the Friends of Jazz at UCLA Claudia Mitchell-Kernan Award for Contributions to Scholarship and Education in the Field of Jazz. Ann and Maiden Voyage appear in the documentary film "The Girls in the Band", and in the following books: American Women in Jazz by Sally Placksin, Stormy Weather by Linda Dahl, and Madame Jazz by Leslie Gourse.
DAVID SILLS, jazz saxophone. Originally from the Los Angeles South Bay area, David Sills has established himself as one of the premier jazz saxophonists in Southern California. He began playing woodwinds during his formative teenage years, and has thereafter been devoted in continuing to hone and perfect his craft. After graduating from high school, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Saxophone Performance from California State University of Long Beach and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City. David has since had the privilege of touring throughout the United States, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Italy, Spain and France with is band The David Sills Quartet and with ‘The Acoustic Jazz Quartet.’ David has released 10 critically acclaimed albums to date and can also be heard as a sideman on many recordings, most recently as a featured soloist on David Benoit’s new album “Conversations.” When David is not performing, he teaches private woodwinds and jazz improvisation at Pasadena City College and Cypress College as well as directing a big band at El Camino College. “The playing of tenor saxophonist David Sills has been described as a meeting of Stan Getz and Joe Henderson, a style in which smooth reserve and technical ability combine in a single cool-to-the-bone sound.” – LA Times “He produces a smooth velvety tone as Getz did and he often weaves long, serpentine, Marsh-like lines… Sills proves to be a warmly expressive player on ballads.” –Jazz Times |
STRING BASS/ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR: |
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TRUMPET: |
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VOCAL JAZZ: |
SARA LEIB: As a performer, Sara Leib has worked with some great performers in the jazz genre and has toured the world
as a performer and a clinician. A natural improviser, Leib began singing seriously
in high school and continued to pursue music through studies at the Berklee College
of Music and the New England Conservatory. She later found her passion for teaching
while serving as graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Southern California,
where she graduated with a master’s degree. Since then, Leib has taught private voice lessons, ensembles, vocal improvisation,
and workshops at several educational institutions in Southern California, including
the University of Southern California and World Mission University. She also served
on faculty of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Saddleback College, and Los Angeles
Music Academy College of Music. Leib has toured and taught all over the country and
the world, including Guatemala, Nepal, New Zealand, and South Africa. She is a certified
teacher of Somatic Voicework™, the LoVetri method and is currently on the faculty
at Azu
sa Pacific University, Pasadena City College, and El Camino College.In 2010, Leib opened Voice Studio LA and launched an interactive and easy-to-understand
voice lesson website, SingingTV.com. Additional work has included serving as a panelist
for the NARAS Foundation’s Grammy In The Schools, performing at the Academy Awards,
voicing a Coffeemate commercial, and singing for the NBA, the WB, and more.
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VOICE: |
KEVIN BLICKFELDT is Director of Vocal Studies at El Camino College. On the concert stage, he has given
recitals in Buenos Aires and Salto, Argentina, and last August, made his recital debut
with the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Kevin portrayed Fiorello in Pacific
Opera Project’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia and collaborated on the original cast recording of Windy City, to be released on the Operetta Archives Foundation label in late 2017. Kevin made
his debut with the Los Angeles Opera in 2013 under the baton of Music Director James
Conlon in performances of Prodigal Son. Additional recent engagements include El General in Xavier Rodríguez’s La Curandera, and as Dr. Malatesta in Don Pasquale at the Oper im Park Festival in Austria. Kevin is a founding member of VOX, an operatic
quartet who first premiering on TV’s America’s Got Talent. Since the show first aired, “opera’s boy band” has garnered over 4 million YouTube
views and has presented performances across the United States and Canada. Dr. Blickfeldt
is a graduate of The University of Utah, Florida State University, and the USC Thornton
School of Music. In 2011 he was the recipient of the Citadelle Award from the Alltech
Voice Competition in Lexington, Kentucky. ANTHONY MORENO is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at USC and studying with Rod
Gilfry. He received his Master's Degree from USC and his Bachleor's Degree from CSU
Long Beach. In 2012 Mr. Moreno received the California State Senate Certificate of
Recognition in Performing Arts and was a regional finalist in the 2012 Metropolitan
Opera National Council Auditions. He has performed numerous operatic roles at CSU
Long Beach, USC, Cantos de Taos, South Bay Camerata and LtD Opera including Pandolfe
(Cendrillon), Count Almaviva and Antonio (Le nozze di Figaro), the title role in Don Giovanni, Ottone (L'incoronazione di Poppea), Don Alvaro (Il viaggio a Reims), Tom (The English Cat), Oreste (Iphigenie en Tauride), and Guglielmo (Cosi fan tutte). Mr. Moreno has toured through Austria and Italy and premiered works by Liam Doyle
and Daniel Ho. At El Camino College he teaches Applied Music voice as well as classroom
voice.
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VIOLIN/VIOLA, CELLO, & BASS: |
KAROLINE SOUZA-MENEZES (Violin & Viola): Multidisciplinary performing musician and arts advocate. Ms. Menezes work experiences
involve collaborating with local and international organizations and initiatives to
drive social change through the arts. She works in development to drive innovative
strategies for engagement and connection, as well as consultation for teaching practices
that impact the community through music.
YOOJUNG CHANG (Cello): Yoo-Jung Chang was featured as a soloist with the Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra as the second
prize winner of the Gail Newby Concerto Competition. She has won an array of awards
in competitions around the world, including, the Nan-Pa Music Competition, Korean
Brahms Association Competition, Seoul Baroque Chamber Orchestra Competition, Ewha
Womans University Chamber Music Competitions, and Pasadena SAI Music Scholarship Competition. As an active orchestral and chamber musician, Chang has performed with various ensembles such as the Chicago Civic Orchestra (IL), International Chamber Soloists Ensemble (NY), Ohio Light Opera Orchestra (OH), YMF Debut Orchestra (CA), and AIMS Festival Orchestra (Graz, Austria). She also has performed with many notable artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, Myung-Whun Chung, Bright Sheng and Cavani Quartet.
Chang was on the Grinnell College music faculty from 2011-2019 and served on the faculties of St. Ambrose University, Augustana College, Central College, Oskaloosa String Chamber Music Camp and the International Cello Institute.
Yoo-Jung Chang has been a section cellist at the Quad City Symphony Orchestra since 2013 and faculty at El Camino College since 2021. |