Curriculum Vitae

Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education, California State University Fullerton

Conductor, California State University  Fullerton Symphonic Winds

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Music Director, Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble

 

Telephone: 760.673.3218    Email: gwhitmore@fullerton.edu   Website: gwhitmore.com

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Education

 

Ed.DCT, Music and Music Education (Emphasis: College Teaching) - 2017

Columbia University, Teachers College  

            Dissertation: “Inspired Practice, The Values of High School Band Directors”

            Committee: Hal Abeles, Kelly Parkes, Randall Allsup, Olga Hubard

            

Ed. M, Music and Music Education - 2017

Columbia University, Teachers College 

            

Master of Music, (Instrumental Conducting) - 2013

California State University, Fullerton 

            

Bachelor of Music, (Instrumental Music Education) - 2001

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 

            

Higher Education Academic Appointments

 

Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education, California State University Fullerton, August 2020 - Current

Conductor, California State University  Fullerton Symphonic Winds

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Director of Instrumental Music, Irvine Valley College, August 2019 - June 2020

 

Director of Bands, Mt. San Antonio College,     August 2014 – June 2019

    Tenure Earned – Fall, 2017

    

Lecturer, School of Music, CSU Fullerton, January 2017 - June 2020

    Lecturer: Music Education

 

Lecturer, Dept. of Music, CSU Polytechnic Pomona, September 2015 - Current

    Lecturer: Beginning Conducting, Conductor: Symphonic Winds/Concert Band

 

Lecturer, Dept. of Music, CSULA, September 2017– May 2018

    Lecturer: Instrumental Conducting    

 

Adjunct Instructor, Dept. of Music, College of the Desert

    Adjunct Instructor: Conductor -  Symphony Band           2013 to 2014

    Adjunct Instructor: Fundamentals of Music                     2013 to 2014

    Adjunct Instructor: Applied Clarinet Instructor               2009, 2010

 

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Professional Conducting Appointments

 

Music Director, Pacific Symphony Orchestra Youth Wind Ensemble, June 2014-Current 

 

 

Public School Appointments & Courses Taught

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Director of Bands, Cathedral City High School, 2001 to 2014

            Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Symphony Band.

 

Student Teaching, Southfield-Lathrup High School (MI), 2000 - 2001 

            Concert Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble.   

 

Higher Education Courses Taught

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California State University, Fullerton

            MUSE 353 – Pubic School Music Materials: 3.0 WTUs.

            MUSE 394 – Instrumental Music Education Practicum: 3.6 WTUs.

            MUSE 395 – Instrumental Music Education Practicum: 3.0 WTUs.

            MUS 281W – Orchestral Instrumental: Woodwinds: 2.6 WTUs.

            MUS 406C  - Symphonic Winds: 3.0 WTUs.

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Irvine Valley College

           MUS 1 –  The Basics of Music: 3.0 Units

           MUS 20 – Music Appreciation: 3.0 Units

           MUS 40 – Wind Symphony: 1.0 Units

 

Mt. San Antonio College

            MUS 7 – Fundamentals of Music (2 Sections): 3.0 Units

            MUS 27 – Chamber Ensembles: 1.5 Units

            MUS 36 – Wind Symphony: 1.0 Units

            MUS 38 – Symphony Band: 0.5 Units

            MUS 49 – Wind Ensemble: 3.0 Units

          

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 

            MUS 3250L – Concert Band: 3.0 WTUs

            MUS 304 – Beginning Instrumental Conducting: 3.0 WTUs

            

California State University, Los Angeles

            MUS 3810 – Beginning Conducting: 3.0 WTUs

 

College of the Desert

            MUS 12 – Fundamentals of Music: 3.0 Units

            MUS 33 – Symphonic Band: 1.0 Units

            MUS 099 – Applied Music: 1.0 Units

 

 

Teaching Accomplishments & Innovation

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California State University, Fullerton

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• Composer Forum(s) with MUS 353: As MUS 353 is primarily centered around programming for K-12 ensembles; I established yearly residencies with composers Michael Markowski, Frank Ticheli, Alex Shapiro, and Jennifer Jolley (2020), as a way to supplement the course curriculum, and provide a forum for enrolled students.

• Music Educator Panel for MUS 353: Established a yearly Music Educator Panel of current music educators in the field for discussion with students enrolled in MUS 353. Forum topics ranged from programmatic practices, teaching philosophy, music education pedagogy, and general Q & A.

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Irvine Valley College

 

• Oversight: Worked in collaboration with conductor colleagues in overseeing IVC Symphony Orchestra, IVC Jazz Ensemble, and IVC Guitar Ensemble as Director of Instrumental Music.  

• Composer Collaboration: Initiated residencies with composers Jennifer Jolley, Stephen Mahpar, and Larry Tuttle. 

• Guest Artist Collaboration: Initiated collaborative performances with Tony Ellis (Principal Trumpet – Pacific Symphony Orchestra), Victoria Lee (IVC Wind Faculty - Oboe), Susan Boettger (IVC Piano Faculty), Chelsea Chaves (Soprano - Pacific Chorale), Christoph Bull (Organist – UCLA).

• Funding: Secured funding for the purchase of new instruments, student travel, guest artists/composer residencies, and new equipment.

• Recruiting: Created partnerships with Orange County High School Band Programs through rehearsal clinics, shared concerts at IVC, and recruiting at performance events on high school campuses.

• Student Advisement:  Students meet on a regular basis to discuss transfer to CSU/UC System, assess student progress through degree program, and meet Directors of Bands from four-year institutions in transfer forums.

• Student Conductors: Trained student conductors in semester-long conducting/score study lessons, culminating in conducting the IVC Wind Symphony in performance. 

• Student Composers: Collaborated with IVC Theory Faculty in supporting IVC student composers through reading and performance of works in rehearsal and performance. 

• Intercollegiate Band Participation: Oversaw participation of IVC Wind Symphony students in intercollegiate bands as a part of the College Band Directors National Association, and Music Association of California Community Colleges.

• Campus Construction: Participated in committee meetings for the construction of new “Village of the Arts” – new IVC Music, Art, and Dance Building. 

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Mt. San Antonio College

 

• Technology/Media: Created and administrated the initial Mt. San Antonio College Band Website to promote events, support recruiting, support rehearsals and ensemble instruction, and enhance the student learning experience.

• Technology/Media: Livestreamed Mt. SAC Wind Ensemble Concerts.

• Funding: Secured $60,000 in funding for the procurement of new instruments and equipment, as well as securing $20,000 in funding for performance tours.

• Equipment Maintenance: Initiated an instrument inventory and equipment management program. Initiated a yearly repair protocol for existing equipment. 

• Ensemble Library: Expanded the concert band instrumental music library with wind band compositions of high artistic quality. Initiated a library inventory project for improved management of performance literature. 

• Recruiting: Expanded Mt. SAC Band Festival to attract new college students, foster connections with local high school instrumental music programs to recruit local students, increased education and artistic focus of the festival with composer residencies, and instrument clinics with Mt. SAC Wind Faculty.

• Recruiting: Initiated Mt. SAC High School Honor Band. 

• Collaboration: Established Mt. SAC Faculty Chamber Ensemble for yearly on and off-campus performances. 

• Initiated “Music Made at Mt. SAC” Composition Program for Mt. SAC Student Composers. 

•  Performance Tours: 2015/16 Tour & Performance at Symphony Hall - Chicago, Illinois. Showcase Ensemble - 2016 Chicago International Music Festival.

• Collaboration: 2016 Performance with Cal State University Los Angeles, and Cal Poly Pomona Bands in shared concert for the first time in program/College history. 

•  Collaboration: Initiated Residency with Louisiana TIMM Quartet at Mt. SAC - Clinics and Performance for Mt. SAC Wind Ensemble Students. 

• Collaboration: Initiated Yearly Living Composer Series with Mt. SAC Wind Ensemble

        Alex Shapiro – Composer.

        Dr. Marcus Wilcher - Composer.

        Michael Markowski - Composer.

        John Frantzen - Composer.

        Roy Magnuson - Composer/Professor of Composition at Illinois State University. 

        Dr. Travis Cross - Composer/Director of Bands - UCLA.

        Frank Ticheli - Composer/Professor of Composition - University of Southern California.

 

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

 

• Collaboration: Residency with composer Frank Ticheli, December 2018

• Collaboration: Residency with composer Carter Pann, May 2017

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Pacific Symphony Orchestra Youth Wind Ensemble

 

• Performance Tour: 2017 - Performance Tour of Austria (Salzburg, Vienna): Performances at The Musikverein, MuTH, Vienna Konzerthaus.

• World Premiere Commission (2015):  The Rising Tide - Composer Narong Prangcharoen

• World Premiere Commission (2018): Fanfarria – Composer Giovanni Santos

• World Premiere Commission (2019): Concerto for Alto Saxophone & Wind Ensemble – Composer Jules Pegram. Winner: CBDNA 2018 Frederick Fennell Award.

• World Premiere Commission (2020): Smurgh – Composer Stephen Mahpar

• Collaboration: Dr. Kenneth Tse - Prof. of Saxophone - University of Iowa.

• Collaboration: Carl St. Clair - Music Director - Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

• Composer Residencies With PSYWE: Alex Shapiro, Jules Pegram, Larry Tuttle, Peter Boyer, Stephen Mahpar, Giovanni Santos, Narong Prangcharoen. 

 

California State University, Los Angeles

 

• Conducting Class Collaboration: Pacific Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor Roger Kalia - April 2018.

 

College of the Desert

 

• Growing the Program: During my tenure, the symphony band grew from eight members to 37 members.

• Technology/Media: Created and administrated the College of the Desert Symphony Band Website to promote events, support recruiting, support rehearsals and ensemble instruction, and enhance the student experience.

• Funding: Secured $8000 in recurring funds for the procurement of new instruments and equipment.

• Equipment Maintenance: Initiated an instrument inventory and equipment management program. Initiated a yearly repair protocol for existing equipment. 

• Ensemble Library: Expanded the symphony band instrumental music library with wind band compositions of high artistic quality. 

• Recruiting: Employed College of the Desert Campus Website to attract new college students, fostered connections with nine local high school instrumental music programs to recruit local students.

• Collaboration: Worked with local community music ensembles to recruit community members into college ensemble. Worked with college Admissions Department to allow concurrent enrollment of upper-division high school musicians into college ensemble. 

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Cathedral City High School

 

• Growing the Program: During my tenure, the band program grew from 34 members to 250 members. The instrumental music program became the largest in the school’s history.

• Private Lesson Program: Implemented a juried applied lesson system for the symphony band students where there had been no previous standardization.  

• Collaboration: Hosted internationally renowned saxophonist Dr. Kenneth Tse (University of Iowa) on four separate occasions. While on campus, Dr. Tse taught masterclasses and workshops.  I have hosted the Archipelago Group for a week-long residency of masterclasses and concerts (2004). I have hosted professional jazz musicians through the Steinway Society of the Desert, and the American Jazz Institute. The Cathedral City High School Jazz Band has recorded a compact disc with jazz legend Buddy Greco (2010). 

• Event Coordination: Planned and administered two high school jazz festivals featuring over ten bands and professional musicians, and a yearly marching band festival featuring eight high school bands and a collegiate marching band.

• World Premiere Commission: Commissioned and premiered a new work for winds by J. Eric Schmidt of the University of Southern California Film Scoring Department (Exuberance for Wind Ensemble and Trumpet - 2012).

• Technology/Social Media: Created and administrated the Cathedral City High School Band’s Facebook Page and Website to promote events, support recruiting, connect with alumni, and enhance the concert-going experience.

• Collaboration: Implemented “Collegiate Conductor Program” in which select conductors were brought in for clinics and artists-in-residence including: Mitch Fennell (California State Fullerton), Kevin Sedatole (Michigan State University), James Tapia (Syracuse University), Gary Hill (Arizona State University), Armand Hall (University of Memphis), Jamal Duncan (University of Arkansas), Frank Ticheli (University of Southern California).

• Performances in Concert Venues of Cultural Significance: The Cathedral City High School Symphony Band has performed in the following concert halls during my tenure:

            The Kennedy Center (2013), The Annenberg Theater - Palm Springs (2013), Walt  

            Disney Concert Hall (2012, 2009), Meng Hall (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009), 

            Carnegie Hall (2007). 

• International Performance Tours: The Cathedral City High School Symphony Band has undertaken the following performance tours during my tenure: France/Germany (2011), England/Wales (2009), California School Band Directors Association Convention (2008). 

• National Television Performances: The Cathedral City High School Marching Band has performed live on national television three times during my tenure: Hollywood Christmas Parade (2011), Holiday Bowl San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade (2008), Chicago State Street Thanksgiving Day Parade (2005). 

• Booster Organization/Friends Group: Chaired a band booster organization of over forty parents consisting of an executive board, and board of directors. Developed and maintained a budget of over $65,000. Planned and administered monthly meetings.

• Student Teacher Mentor: Master Teacher to six student teachers from various universities. 

 

Teaching Awards & Recognition

                                                                                                                                                         

Mt. San Antonio College President’s Award for Innovation & Excellence in Teaching - 2018

 

Listed in Academic Key’s - Who’s Who in Community Colleges Education, 2018

 

Second Place - The American Prize National Conducting Competition: School/Community Band Division - 2018.

 

“50 Band Directors Who Make A Difference” - School Band and Orchestra Magazine- 2010

 

Top Ten Teacher of The Year- Cathedral City High School: 2014, 2009 - 2004

 

Teacher of The Year - Cathedral City High School - 2009, 2007

 

Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce Orion Award - 2008

 

California State Assembly Certificate of Special Recognition -2008, 2006

 

California State Senate Certificate of Special Recognition -2008, 2006

 

Listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers - 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

 

Teacher of The Year - Palm Springs Unified School District - 2006

 

Outstanding American Teacher - National Honor Roll - 2006

 

Golden Apple Award - Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce - 2006

 

United States Congress Certificate of Special Recognition - 2006

 

United States Senate Certificate of Special Recognition - 2006

 

 

Guest Conducting Engagements

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Huntington Beach USD Honor Band Guest Conductor         Huntington Beach, CA

            February 2020

 

Etiwanda Middle School Honor Band Guest Conductor       Etiwanda, CA

            February 2020

 

Riverside High School USD Honor Band Guest Conductor   Riverside, CA

            January 2020

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Irvine USD Marching Band Spectacular Guest Conductor     Irvine, CA

            October 2019

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Norwalk La Mirada USD Honor Band Guest Conductor      La Mirada, CA

            March 2019

 

Chino Valley USD Honor Band Guest Conductor                 Chino, CA

            February 2019, 2015

 

CJHUSD All-District Honor Band Guest Conductor             Rancho Cucamonga, CA

            January 2019

 

Rowland USD All-District Honor Band Guest Conductor    Nogales, CA

            March 2018

 

Alvord USD All-District Honor Band Guest Conductor       Riverside, CA

            March 2018

 

Fontana USD All-City Honor Band Guest Conductor           Fontana, CA

            April 2017

 

El Monte High School District Honor Band Guest Conductor   El Monte, CA

            March 2018

            April 2017

 

Loma Linda Academy Honor Band Guest Conductor           Loma Linda, CA

             April 2017

 

Cathedral City High School Symphony Band All-State Performance Guest Conductor

            CASMEC - San Jose, CA – February 2017

 

Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association All-Southern Honor Band

            Anaheim, California - January 2017

 

Columbia University Summer Winds                                    New York, NY

            Guest Conductor - July 2016 and 2015

 

Columbia University Wind Ensemble                                    New York, NY

            Rehearsal Clinician - April 2016

 

ABC Unified School District Honor Band                             Cerritos, CA 

             Guest Conductor - February 2016.

 

Riverside City College “King Karl King” Honor Band          Riverside, CA

            Guest Conductor - May 2014

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Santa Ana Unified School District Honor Band                    Santa Ana, CA

            Conductor – March 2014.

 

Northern Arizona University Curry Summer Music Camp    Flagstaff, AZ

            Symphony Band Conductor - Summer 2011, 2012

            

Willamette University Wind Ensemble                                    Salem, OR

            Guest Conductor/Music Education Guest Speaker, November 2009

            

 

Scholarly and Creative Activities

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Articles Published

 

Whitmore, G. (2018). Concert Programming for Music Educators.Band world Magazine, 

     33(3).

 

Whitmore, G.  (2017). Concert Programming for Music Educators. National Federation of 

     State High School Association Music Association Journal, 34(1) pp.12-14.

 

Whitmore, G. (2017). SCSBOA Honor Band Experience as Conductor. Southern California   

    School Band and Orchestra Association Newsletter, pp.12.

 

Whitmore, G. (2017). Concert Programming for Music Educators. California Music 

    Educators Association (CMEA).  January 2016.

 

Chapter Published in Book

 

Whitmore, G. (2013). Bach Fugue in G Minor (The Little). In C. Randles & D. Stringham, 

    (Eds.), Musicianship: Composing in Band & Orchestra (pp 191-197). Chicago, Illinois: 

    GIA.

 

Conference Presentations (Juried)

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Through the Looking Glass: Investigating The Student High School Band Experience, International Society for Music Education 34th World Congress, Helsinki, Finland, August 2 – 7, 2020.  (Conference Cancelled - COVID 19)

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Behind The Music: Concert Programming For Artistry,                                                       

Session presented at the California Music Education Conference, 2019. Fresno, CA.                 

 

Inspired Artistry: The Values of Music Educators, International Society for Music Education 33rdWorld Congress, Bakú, Azerbaijan, July 15 – 20, 2018. Thousand Oaks: Sage. 

 

Inspired Artistry: The Values of High School Band Directors,                                                       

Poster Session presented at the Annual Convention of The National Association for Music                                                

Education, 2018. Atlanta, GA.                       

                      

Setting the Table: Concert Programming for Music Educators, Southern California School 

Band & Orchestra Association Convention.  Anaheim Hyatt, Garden Grove, CA. January, 

26, 2018.

 

New Wine In Old Bottles: New Approaches For Existing Technology & Your Music Program,  Music Association For California Community Colleges. San Francisco, CA., November 2015.

 

 

Professional Meetings: Discussant, Panelist 

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Collaboration, Connection, and Creativity – A Brainstorming Session with Southern California High School Band Directors. California State University Fullerton School of Music – Music Education Department Event. Virtual Forum via Zoom. Fullerton, CA August 7th, 2020.

 

Conversations with Conductors - Conductors of The Pacific Symphony:  California State University, Fullerton Arts Inter-Club Council.  Virtual Forum via Zoom, Fullerton, CA, June 29th, 2020

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A Life In The Arts: Keynote Speaker at The Vista Murrieta High School Band Program Gala. (2019)

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Making Music with Young Musicians, Riverside Unified School DistrictProfessional Development Session Presenter, Riverside, CA - September 2018 & January, 2017

 

Q & A Session with Composer Michael Markowski. Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association Convention.  Anaheim Hyatt, Garden Grove, CA. January 21, 2017.

 

Programming for Your Ensembles, Irvine Unified School District Professional Development Session Presenter, Irvine, CA - September 2016

 

Panelist: Social Justice Through the Arts. University of Michigan

Martin Luther King Symposium. Ann Arbor, MI., January 2009. 

 

Conference and Symposia Attendance

​

College Band Director’s National Association Western/Northwestern Division Conference

University of Puget Sound – Tacoma, Washington – March 2020

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The Midwest Clinic, Chicago, IL

Conference Attendee     1999 - Present

 

International Society for Music Education (ISME)

34th World Congress – Helsinki, Finland – August 2-7, 2020 (Pending Paper Acceptance)

33rd World Congress - Bakú, Azerbaijan - July 15 -22, 2018

 

National Association for Music Education Annual Convention

Atlanta, GA - March 2018

 

University of Redlands Conducting Symposium

Symposium Conducting Participant - March 2016

 

University of California Los Angeles Conducting Symposium

Symposium Conducting Participant - June 2015

 

Music Association of California Community Colleges

Conference Attendee - November 2015

 

College Band Director’s National Association Conducting Symposium

University of Colorado - Boulder, CO

Symposium Conducting Participant - June 2013

 

Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom   

Oxbridge Teacher Seminars: The Visual Experience, Art in History and Literature - July 2010

Conference and Symposia Attendance, Continued

 

Michigan State University Conducting Symposium - June 2010

 

Riverside City College Conducting Symposium – March 2009, 2008, 2007

 

Premieres

​

Commission: Simurgh (Stephen Mahpar), 2020

 

Commission: Concerto for Alto Saxophone & Wind Ensemble (Jules Pegram), 2019

 

Commission Lead: Fanfarria (Giovanni Santos), 2018

 

Consortium Member: This Cruel Moon (John Mackey), 2017

 

Commission: The Rising Tide (Narong Prangcharoen), 2015

 

Commission: Exuberance for Wind Ensemble and Trumpet (J. Eric Schmidt), 2012

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Music Education Research

 

2019-2020 - Through the Looking Glass: Measuring Student Experiences in High School Band

An investigation into the student high school band experience from an artistic and educational perspective. The research studies the music education experience through the lens of the participating student, investigating the student interpretation/understanding of those artistic and curricular high school band experiences to notions of regional norms and expectations for instrumental music education, drawing connections to pre-service, and current music educators.

 

2017 - Inspired Artistry: The Values of High School Band Directors

An investigation into the values, beliefs, and philosophy of practicing high school band 

directors, how those values are formed and shaped, and how those values inform artistic, and 

curricular decisions for participating students as made by pre-service, and current music educators. 

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Clarinet Performance Appointments

 

Clarinetist: Winds By Design Chamber Music Ensemble, 2008-2009

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Service To The College

​

Institutional Effectiveness Committee – Irvine Valley College

Representative – School of the Arts, 2019-2020

 

Village of the Arts: New Arts Campus Construction Committee – Irvine Valley College

Representative – School of the Arts, 2019-2020

​

Educational Design Committee

Representative – Music Department, 2018-2019

 

Academic Senate

Senator - Music Department, 2017

 

Service To The Community

 

Troy High School/Troy Tech Program – Community Intern Partner – June/July, 2020

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Los Angeles Arts Commission Grant Reader, 2015

 

Professional Organizations

 

College Band Directors National Association

International Society of Music Education

National Association for Music Education

Music Association Of California Community Colleges

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity

Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society

Southern California School Band and Orchestra