JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL ADDITIONAL ALUMNI PERFORMING ARTISTS FEATURED ALUMNI ADJUDICATOR PERFORMING ARTISTS
BASS: Will Strickler – BM Music Industry ’14 DRUMS: Matt Billingslea – BM Jazz Studies/Music Industry (Double Major) ’01 William Strickler was born in Toledo, Ohio, in the fall of 1991. After graduating from Toledo School for the Arts, As the drummer for Grammy-winning international superstar Taylor Swift, Nashville-based Matt Billingslea he moved to Columbus, Ohio, to complete a degree at Capital University’s Conservatory of Music and has been recently completed The 1989 Tour, performing for sold-out crowds around the world. In addition to the tour, living in Columbus since. Will recently started playing bass guitar, keyboard bass and aux percussion for pop Matt’s performances with Swift have included the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the BRIT artist Daya, who’s recent single “Hideaway” has ranked in Billboard top 40 and achieved platinum status in Awards, and numerous promotional appearances around the globe. Prior to joining Swift, Matt spent three years the United States and Canada. Other gigs include festivals and colleges across the country with Chris Jamison with multi-Grammy winners Lady Antebellum, and during that time co-wrote “Wanted You More,” a top-20 (finalist on season 7 of NBC’s “The Voice”), and a variety of festivals, weddings and radio/TV appearances with single from Lady A’s third album, Own The Night. Matt also toured with multi-platinum country star Gary Allan, Mojo Flo (Columbus-based neo-funk band). When not traveling, William plays for churches, big bands and playing shows preparing for the release of his 10th album, Set You Free. various local Columbus jazz groups, including Wakefold Quartet, Rorschach Trio, Dubfunk Quartet, the Zakk Jones Trio and more.
GUITAR: Will Flynn – BM Jazz Studies ‘10/M.M. Jazz Studies University of North Texas ’12 VOCAL: Lisa Webster – BA Commercial Music ’89 William Flynn is a Kansas-based jazz guitarist and composer whose playing has been praised as “uplifting and Lisa Webster began her studies at Capital University Conservatory of Music in 1980, training in classical music inspiring” (F5 Magazine), and is described as “playing a mean guitar” (Wichita Eagle). William is a first-call during her freshman year. After a brief hiatus, she returned in 1986 to continue her training, changing her guitarist in the Wichita area, regularly appearing as both a leader and sideman at local clubs and festivals. focus to jazz studies. With Vaughn Wiester as her friend, instructor and mentor, Lisa’s vocal skills began to Equally accomplished and respected as an educator, William has taught and presented at conferences, blossom quickly. As a result, she graduated from Capital with a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music degree universities, and societies around the country. William currently serves as assistant professor of Jazz Guitar in 1989. Her vocal debut began with Vaughn Wiester and his Famous Jazz Orchestra in 1994, and then at Wichita State University, where he teaches applied jazz guitar, jazz improvisation, and directs the Guitar accelerated to the salsa band Yumbambe with Eric Paton until 1998 when she moved to Chicago for four years. Ensemble. Returning in 2002, she reappeared as a featured vocalist with the Famous Jazz Orchestra and then became the vocalist for the Standard Time Quintet with Matt Ellis. Lisa continues to “apply the craft” at local venues and festivals with her trio in the Columbus, Ohio, area.
TROMBONE: Ryan Hamilton – B.M. Jazz Studies ’03/MMusEd Jazz Pedagogy ’14 Ryan is a former member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra and currently is a member and soloist with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. He can be heard as a soloist on their latest recording, Come Together. As an educator he teaches jazz trombone and jazz studies at Capital University, jazz trombone at Otterbein University, and low brass at Denison University. He is also the director of the Columbus Youth Jazz Studio Ensemble and on faculty for the Miami Valley Jazz Camp. Previous teaching positions include Kenyon College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and on faculty at Music For All’s Summer Symposium.
TRUMPET: Wes Orr – Capital University B.A. Music Education ’65/MA Music Education Ohio State University ’69 Wes Orr currently performs as the lead trumpet player in the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Wes taught in the Columbus City School system for 31 years. He also taught in the Reynoldsburg City Schools and at Otterbein College, where he co-directed the jazz ensemble. Wes has performed in many bands throughout the years, including the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Ernie Krivda, and most notably recently touring for 10 weeks with the Ken Peplowski Big Band. Additionally he has played with many world-renowned musicians, including Paul Anka, Bob Hope, Barry Manilow, Sammy Davis Jr., Jerry Lewis, Lena Horne, Doc Severinson, Natalie Cole, Maynard Fergusion, Jiggs Whigham, Rosemary Clooney, Carmen Bradford, Maureen McGovern, Jack Jones and Clark Terry, among many others.
VOCAL: Michael Shirtz – B.M. Jazz Studies ’01/M.M. Jazz Pedagogy Cal St. LA A jazz singer, composer and educator, Michael Shirtz has conducted, produced and performed with numerous organizations, repertory theatre productions and such artists as Maureen McGovern, Melissa Manchester, Jim Brickman, Elizabeth Von Trapp and others. Managed by OCM Productions, Michael is an active performer known for his versatility with jazz and contemporary music audiences. Active in both the artistic and business sides of the industry, Michael is published by SMP, produces with Rt. 53 Records, and presents the series JAZZ @ 8. As former dean, he currently serves as assistant professor/chair, department of Music & Creative Arts, at Terra State Community College, conductor at Lakeside Chautauqua, and works with the Northcoast Arts Alliance, S&S Strategies, and the Jazz Education Network.
8 5 JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL FEATURED ALUMNI ADJUDICATOR PERFORMING ARTISTS ADDITIONAL ALUMNI PERFORMING ARTISTS
SAXOPHONE: Monica Shriver – B.A. Music Arizona State ’03/M.MusEd Jazz Pedagogy ’16 Monica Shriver is a musician, clinician and teaching artist based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has a diverse PIANO: Danny Bauer – B.M. Jazz Studies ’14 Danny Bauer is a freelance pianist, composer, educator and arranger. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Danny and creative professional career performing in big bands, jazz combos, pit orchestras, rock bands, chamber graduated from Lakota East High school in 2010 and Capital University in 2014. While at Capital, he studied ensembles and orchestras, playing saxophones, flutes, and clarinets. Monica is the leader of Doublers piano under Mark Flugge. Danny has performed with many groups and musicians, including Pete Mills, Blue Collective, a doubling saxophone quintet with rhythm section and the Monica Shriver Jazz Project which Water Kings, Canta Brasil, Max Button and Jim Rupp. He is the leader of a 10-piece fusion band called performs jazz standards and originals. Monica is an active and sought-after jazz improvisation teacher, “Safety Squad,” which released its first full-length album at the beginning of April. Danny plans to attend the adjudicator and clinician for all instruments and ages, presenting clinics at schools, jazz festivals, state and University of North Texas to purse a master’s degree in the fall of 2016. national conferences. She is the saxophone professor and adjunct faculty at Phoenix College.
PIANO: Joey Skoch – BM Jazz Studies ‘14/M.M. Jazz Studies DePaul University ’16 DRUMS: Zach Compston – BM Jazz Studies ‘10/M.M. Percussion Indiana University ’12 Joey Skoch is a jazz pianist from Cleveland, Ohio. In May, 2014, Joey graduated from Capital University where Zach Compston is a highly regarded percussionist and music educator, known for his passion and experience he studied both jazz and classical piano with professors Mark Flugge and Seymour Fink. Joey is currently in many avenues of the music world. He is versatile in drumset, world and classical percussion, as well working on a master’s degree in Jazz Performance from DePaul University in Chicago, where he studies with as educational settings. His drumset experience includes performances with Andrea Bocelli, Pete Mills Ron Perrillo and Dennis Carroll. Joey has performed with many musicians in the Cleveland, Columbus and and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra. His classical and world percussion experience includes the Chicago areas, including Ernie Krivda, Jack Schantz, Lou Fischer, Bobby Broom, and Dennis Carroll. In Lafayette Symphony, Owensboro Symphony, River City Brass Band, Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and the Latin Chicago, Joey has performed with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and performs weekly at Andy’s Jazz Club. Jazz Collective. Zach is currently the director of Education and Community Engagement at Jazz Arts Group, America’s oldest non-profit organization dedicated to jazz.
TRUMPET: Larry Spencer – Professional Trumpet Artist Dallas/Ft. Worth area TROMBONE: Matt Ellis – BM Jazz Studies/MusEd minor ’80 Larry started playing the trumpet at the age of 10, attended Capital University and the University of North Matt Ellis is an active professional trombonist in the Columbus area. He is regularly featured with many Texas. His professional career includes touring with Buddy Rich, Woody Herman and Frank Sinatra. He ensembles, most notably the New Remnants Dance Orchestra, Standard Time, Bone-a-Fide Swing, the Famous performs for local and national Broadway productions, symphony orchestras, television shows and has played Jazz Orchestra, Rick Brunetto’s Big Band, Yumbamba, and Yuleride Brass Quartet. Nationally, he soloed and on hundreds of recordings. Larry has performed with many major artists including: Tony Bennett, Michael and played lead trombone with Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman Randy Brecker, Betty Buckley, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Natalie Cole, The Dixie Chicks, Orchestra, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey bands, Joe Williams, Cab Calloway, and the Stars of the Lawrence Welk Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Hamlisch, Bob Hope, Henry Mancini, Barry Manilow, Reba McIntyre, Joe Williams, Show. He has been director of the Thomas Worthington High School Jazz Ensemble since 1994. Rita Moreno, Bebe Neuwirth, Lou Rawls, Nelson Riddle, Tom Scott, Toni Tenille, Clark Terry, Mel Tormé, Andy Williams and many more.
GUITAR: Tom Wolfe – BM Jazz Studies ’83/M.M. Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media Eastman TRUMPET: Ben Huntoon – BM MusEd ’78 School of Music ’86 Ben Huntoon teaches trumpet, coaches brass ensembles and serves on the jazz faculty at Otterbein University. Tom Wolfe is professor of jazz studies at The University of Alabama and is currently interim chair of the He also is the Jazz Education consultant at Stanton’s Sheet Music in Columbus, Ohio. Ben received bachelor’s Department of Art & Art History. He has performed and/or recorded with Danny Gottlieb, Lew Soloff, Gene and master’s degrees in music from Capital University and The Ohio State University, respectively. He is Bertoncini, Lou Marini, Mundelle Lowe, Bill Goodwin and many others. Tom has toured the United States, El a contributing author for Teaching Music Through Performance in Jazz, Beginning Jazz Ensembles by GIA Salvador, France, Romania and Cuba, and as a Kennedy Center/USIA Jazz Ambassador toured several countries Publications. As a professional trumpeter, Ben is accomplished in a wide variety of genres and has performed in North-West Africa. Recently, Tom released Solerovescent on Summit Records. He has written music for throughout the Midwest on many stages over the past 35 years. national ad campaigns and recently composed and performed the film score for Service to Man, expected release in 2016.
BASS: Dave Wolbert – BM Jazz Studies ’14/M.M. Jazz Studies DePaul University ’16 SAXOPHONE: Keith Newton – B.M. Jazz Studies ’95 David Wolbert is a bassist from Ashland, Ohio. While studying bass under Dr. Lou Fischer and Roger Hines, he Dr. Keith Newton is a multifaceted performer, educator and creator of media. His specialization is the cross- earned his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Capital University. While attending Capital, David had the disciplinary integration of musical works and visual arts through computer technology. The combination of live opportunity to share the stage with great musicians including Byron Stripling, Sunny Wilkinson and Vincent music and technology can be experienced in his many performances with studio productions with established DiMartino. Since graduating, David has gone on to play with the Cab Calloway Orchestra and has appeared in and emerging artists. Keith is also an established web developer with expertise in Web Accessibility, multiple pit orchestras all over Ohio and in the Chicago area. Currently, he is working to earn his master’s in development and implementation of interactive training, and the production of audiovisual media for Jazz Studies at DePaul University, where he will graduate in the spring of 2016. distribution upon multiple platforms. Keith holds an M.M. and the D.M.A. from The Ohio State University.
6 7 JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL FEATURED ALUMNI ADJUDICATOR PERFORMING ARTISTS ADDITIONAL ALUMNI PERFORMING ARTISTS
SAXOPHONE: Monica Shriver – B.A. Music Arizona State ’03/M.MusEd Jazz Pedagogy ’16 Monica Shriver is a musician, clinician and teaching artist based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has a diverse PIANO: Danny Bauer – B.M. Jazz Studies ’14 Danny Bauer is a freelance pianist, composer, educator and arranger. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Danny and creative professional career performing in big bands, jazz combos, pit orchestras, rock bands, chamber graduated from Lakota East High school in 2010 and Capital University in 2014. While at Capital, he studied ensembles and orchestras, playing saxophones, flutes, and clarinets. Monica is the leader of Doublers piano under Mark Flugge. Danny has performed with many groups and musicians, including Pete Mills, Blue Collective, a doubling saxophone quintet with rhythm section and the Monica Shriver Jazz Project which Water Kings, Canta Brasil, Max Button and Jim Rupp. He is the leader of a 10-piece fusion band called performs jazz standards and originals. Monica is an active and sought-after jazz improvisation teacher, “Safety Squad,” which released its first full-length album at the beginning of April. Danny plans to attend the adjudicator and clinician for all instruments and ages, presenting clinics at schools, jazz festivals, state and University of North Texas to purse a master’s degree in the fall of 2016. national conferences. She is the saxophone professor and adjunct faculty at Phoenix College.
PIANO: Joey Skoch – BM Jazz Studies ‘14/M.M. Jazz Studies DePaul University ’16 DRUMS: Zach Compston – BM Jazz Studies ‘10/M.M. Percussion Indiana University ’12 Joey Skoch is a jazz pianist from Cleveland, Ohio. In May, 2014, Joey graduated from Capital University where Zach Compston is a highly regarded percussionist and music educator, known for his passion and experience he studied both jazz and classical piano with professors Mark Flugge and Seymour Fink. Joey is currently in many avenues of the music world. He is versatile in drumset, world and classical percussion, as well working on a master’s degree in Jazz Performance from DePaul University in Chicago, where he studies with as educational settings. His drumset experience includes performances with Andrea Bocelli, Pete Mills Ron Perrillo and Dennis Carroll. Joey has performed with many musicians in the Cleveland, Columbus and and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra. His classical and world percussion experience includes the Chicago areas, including Ernie Krivda, Jack Schantz, Lou Fischer, Bobby Broom, and Dennis Carroll. In Lafayette Symphony, Owensboro Symphony, River City Brass Band, Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and the Latin Chicago, Joey has performed with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and performs weekly at Andy’s Jazz Club. Jazz Collective. Zach is currently the director of Education and Community Engagement at Jazz Arts Group, America’s oldest non-profit organization dedicated to jazz.
TRUMPET: Larry Spencer – Professional Trumpet Artist Dallas/Ft. Worth area TROMBONE: Matt Ellis – BM Jazz Studies/MusEd minor ’80 Larry started playing the trumpet at the age of 10, attended Capital University and the University of North Matt Ellis is an active professional trombonist in the Columbus area. He is regularly featured with many Texas. His professional career includes touring with Buddy Rich, Woody Herman and Frank Sinatra. He ensembles, most notably the New Remnants Dance Orchestra, Standard Time, Bone-a-Fide Swing, the Famous performs for local and national Broadway productions, symphony orchestras, television shows and has played Jazz Orchestra, Rick Brunetto’s Big Band, Yumbamba, and Yuleride Brass Quartet. Nationally, he soloed and on hundreds of recordings. Larry has performed with many major artists including: Tony Bennett, Michael and played lead trombone with Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman Randy Brecker, Betty Buckley, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Natalie Cole, The Dixie Chicks, Orchestra, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey bands, Joe Williams, Cab Calloway, and the Stars of the Lawrence Welk Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Hamlisch, Bob Hope, Henry Mancini, Barry Manilow, Reba McIntyre, Joe Williams, Show. He has been director of the Thomas Worthington High School Jazz Ensemble since 1994. Rita Moreno, Bebe Neuwirth, Lou Rawls, Nelson Riddle, Tom Scott, Toni Tenille, Clark Terry, Mel Tormé, Andy Williams and many more.
GUITAR: Tom Wolfe – BM Jazz Studies ’83/M.M. Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media Eastman TRUMPET: Ben Huntoon – BM MusEd ’78 School of Music ’86 Ben Huntoon teaches trumpet, coaches brass ensembles and serves on the jazz faculty at Otterbein University. Tom Wolfe is professor of jazz studies at The University of Alabama and is currently interim chair of the He also is the Jazz Education consultant at Stanton’s Sheet Music in Columbus, Ohio. Ben received bachelor’s Department of Art & Art History. He has performed and/or recorded with Danny Gottlieb, Lew Soloff, Gene and master’s degrees in music from Capital University and The Ohio State University, respectively. He is Bertoncini, Lou Marini, Mundelle Lowe, Bill Goodwin and many others. Tom has toured the United States, El a contributing author for Teaching Music Through Performance in Jazz, Beginning Jazz Ensembles by GIA Salvador, France, Romania and Cuba, and as a Kennedy Center/USIA Jazz Ambassador toured several countries Publications. As a professional trumpeter, Ben is accomplished in a wide variety of genres and has performed in North-West Africa. Recently, Tom released Solerovescent on Summit Records. He has written music for throughout the Midwest on many stages over the past 35 years. national ad campaigns and recently composed and performed the film score for Service to Man, expected release in 2016.
BASS: Dave Wolbert – BM Jazz Studies ’14/M.M. Jazz Studies DePaul University ’16 SAXOPHONE: Keith Newton – B.M. Jazz Studies ’95 David Wolbert is a bassist from Ashland, Ohio. While studying bass under Dr. Lou Fischer and Roger Hines, he Dr. Keith Newton is a multifaceted performer, educator and creator of media. His specialization is the cross- earned his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Capital University. While attending Capital, David had the disciplinary integration of musical works and visual arts through computer technology. The combination of live opportunity to share the stage with great musicians including Byron Stripling, Sunny Wilkinson and Vincent music and technology can be experienced in his many performances with studio productions with established DiMartino. Since graduating, David has gone on to play with the Cab Calloway Orchestra and has appeared in and emerging artists. Keith is also an established web developer with expertise in Web Accessibility, multiple pit orchestras all over Ohio and in the Chicago area. Currently, he is working to earn his master’s in development and implementation of interactive training, and the production of audiovisual media for Jazz Studies at DePaul University, where he will graduate in the spring of 2016. distribution upon multiple platforms. Keith holds an M.M. and the D.M.A. from The Ohio State University.
6 7 JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL ADDITIONAL ALUMNI PERFORMING ARTISTS FEATURED ALUMNI ADJUDICATOR PERFORMING ARTISTS
BASS: Will Strickler – BM Music Industry ’14 DRUMS: Matt Billingslea – BM Jazz Studies/Music Industry (Double Major) ’01 William Strickler was born in Toledo, Ohio, in the fall of 1991. After graduating from Toledo School for the Arts, As the drummer for Grammy-winning international superstar Taylor Swift, Nashville-based Matt Billingslea he moved to Columbus, Ohio, to complete a degree at Capital University’s Conservatory of Music and has been recently completed The 1989 Tour, performing for sold-out crowds around the world. In addition to the tour, living in Columbus since. Will recently started playing bass guitar, keyboard bass and aux percussion for pop Matt’s performances with Swift have included the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the BRIT artist Daya, who’s recent single “Hideaway” has ranked in Billboard top 40 and achieved platinum status in Awards, and numerous promotional appearances around the globe. Prior to joining Swift, Matt spent three years the United States and Canada. Other gigs include festivals and colleges across the country with Chris Jamison with multi-Grammy winners Lady Antebellum, and during that time co-wrote “Wanted You More,” a top-20 (finalist on season 7 of NBC’s “The Voice”), and a variety of festivals, weddings and radio/TV appearances with single from Lady A’s third album, Own The Night. Matt also toured with multi-platinum country star Gary Allan, Mojo Flo (Columbus-based neo-funk band). When not traveling, William plays for churches, big bands and playing shows preparing for the release of his 10th album, Set You Free. various local Columbus jazz groups, including Wakefold Quartet, Rorschach Trio, Dubfunk Quartet, the Zakk Jones Trio and more.
GUITAR: Will Flynn – BM Jazz Studies ‘10/M.M. Jazz Studies University of North Texas ’12 VOCAL: Lisa Webster – BA Commercial Music ’89 William Flynn is a Kansas-based jazz guitarist and composer whose playing has been praised as “uplifting and Lisa Webster began her studies at Capital University Conservatory of Music in 1980, training in classical music inspiring” (F5 Magazine), and is described as “playing a mean guitar” (Wichita Eagle). William is a first-call during her freshman year. After a brief hiatus, she returned in 1986 to continue her training, changing her guitarist in the Wichita area, regularly appearing as both a leader and sideman at local clubs and festivals. focus to jazz studies. With Vaughn Wiester as her friend, instructor and mentor, Lisa’s vocal skills began to Equally accomplished and respected as an educator, William has taught and presented at conferences, blossom quickly. As a result, she graduated from Capital with a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music degree universities, and societies around the country. William currently serves as assistant professor of Jazz Guitar in 1989. Her vocal debut began with Vaughn Wiester and his Famous Jazz Orchestra in 1994, and then at Wichita State University, where he teaches applied jazz guitar, jazz improvisation, and directs the Guitar accelerated to the salsa band Yumbambe with Eric Paton until 1998 when she moved to Chicago for four years. Ensemble. Returning in 2002, she reappeared as a featured vocalist with the Famous Jazz Orchestra and then became the vocalist for the Standard Time Quintet with Matt Ellis. Lisa continues to “apply the craft” at local venues and festivals with her trio in the Columbus, Ohio, area.
TROMBONE: Ryan Hamilton – B.M. Jazz Studies ’03/MMusEd Jazz Pedagogy ’14 Ryan is a former member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra and currently is a member and soloist with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. He can be heard as a soloist on their latest recording, Come Together. As an educator he teaches jazz trombone and jazz studies at Capital University, jazz trombone at Otterbein University, and low brass at Denison University. He is also the director of the Columbus Youth Jazz Studio Ensemble and on faculty for the Miami Valley Jazz Camp. Previous teaching positions include Kenyon College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and on faculty at Music For All’s Summer Symposium.
TRUMPET: Wes Orr – Capital University B.A. Music Education ’65/MA Music Education Ohio State University ’69 Wes Orr currently performs as the lead trumpet player in the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Wes taught in the Columbus City School system for 31 years. He also taught in the Reynoldsburg City Schools and at Otterbein College, where he co-directed the jazz ensemble. Wes has performed in many bands throughout the years, including the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Ernie Krivda, and most notably recently touring for 10 weeks with the Ken Peplowski Big Band. Additionally he has played with many world-renowned musicians, including Paul Anka, Bob Hope, Barry Manilow, Sammy Davis Jr., Jerry Lewis, Lena Horne, Doc Severinson, Natalie Cole, Maynard Fergusion, Jiggs Whigham, Rosemary Clooney, Carmen Bradford, Maureen McGovern, Jack Jones and Clark Terry, among many others.
VOCAL: Michael Shirtz – B.M. Jazz Studies ’01/M.M. Jazz Pedagogy Cal St. LA A jazz singer, composer and educator, Michael Shirtz has conducted, produced and performed with numerous organizations, repertory theatre productions and such artists as Maureen McGovern, Melissa Manchester, Jim Brickman, Elizabeth Von Trapp and others. Managed by OCM Productions, Michael is an active performer known for his versatility with jazz and contemporary music audiences. Active in both the artistic and business sides of the industry, Michael is published by SMP, produces with Rt. 53 Records, and presents the series JAZZ @ 8. As former dean, he currently serves as assistant professor/chair, department of Music & Creative Arts, at Terra State Community College, conductor at Lakeside Chautauqua, and works with the Northcoast Arts Alliance, S&S Strategies, and the Jazz Education Network.
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