Cuyamaca College - Performing Arts

Faculty & Staff
Full Time Faculty
Taylor Smith Chair of Performing Arts Music Technology Intro to the Music Industry Music Industry Seminar Director of RPSE	619-660-4627 taylor.smith@gcccd.edu www.taylorsmithmusic.com Office: Room B-315 Office Hours: Mon 4:00 - 5:00 pm Tue 11:00 - 12:00 pm Wed 9:30 - 10:30 am Thu 11:00 - 12:00 pm Fri 11:00 - 12:00 pm	Taylor Smith joined the Cuyamaca College faculty in 2008. He teaches Music Theory, Music Technology, Music Industry, and Music Appreciation courses. Taylor holds a BMA from BYU-Idaho, and an MA in Music (Historical Performance Practices emphasis) from Claremont Graduate University. He frequently performs on double bass, viola da gamba, bass guitar, and as an electronic musician. He is currently completing his doctoral dissertation (on Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys) for a PhD in Musicology from CGU.
Adjunct Faculty
Joe Bigham Adjunct Faculty History of Rock Music	joebigham701@hotmail.com
Jim Chatham Adjunct Faculty Theater Arts	james.chatham@gcccd.edu www.teacherjc.com	Welcome to Cuyamaca Community College Theatre Arts! I teach the Theatre 110 course, here at Cuyamaca and I'm delighted you decided to take the course. Please visit my personal website at: www.teacherjc.com to learn more about me and the course. Please feel free to email me with information about the course. If you are interested in more Theatre Arts courses at Cuyamaca, please contact me. As a student, you have many options and I'm here to serve you. In light, Jim Chatham, M.A., M.Ed.

Jonathan Davis Adjunct Faculty Class Guitar	jonnyguitar1@hotmail.com	Jonathan Davis began playing the electric guitar at the age of 13, and made the switch to classical at 17. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Arizona and his Master’s degree (also in Classical Guitar Performance) from the University of Akron, where he was awarded a full scholarship as a graduate teaching assistant. Mr. Davis studied privately with Professors Thomas Patterson and Stephen Aron (at the Universities of Arizona and Akron, respectively) and in addition has performed in master classes for some of the most well known guitarists in the world, including Pepe Romero, David Russell, Paul Galbraith, Odair Assad, and others. Jonathan Davis has experience performing classical music in a variety of settings, including solo, chamber, and as a member of an orchestra. In addition, he has also played electric guitar in various rock bands. His debut solo CD, Très Viste, features music ranging from the Baroque to the Twentieth Century.
Amy Hacker Adjunct Faculty World Music History of Rock Music	amy.hacker@gcccd.edu
John Mark Harris Adjunct Faculty Class Piano	johnmark30@sbcglobal.net	Pianist John Mark Harris holds degrees in performance from the University of California, San Diego (D.M.A); the New England Conservatory (M.M); and the University of South Florida (B.M.). He plays an extensive range of keyboard music from the Renaissance to the present day. Harris has performed many premieres, and also plays the organ and harpsichord. In addition to teaching at Cuyamaca College, he also teaches at San Diego City College, and is the organist/pianist at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Bay Park. Regarding his playing, The Boston Globe referred to his performance of works by Scott Joplin as “forceful…finely shaded”; the Edinburgh Scotsman called his recital at Reid Hall, featuring Charles Ives’ monumental Concord Sonata, a “stunning performance”; andante.com cited his “exquisite touch and sensitivity” in a performance of the music of Cage; and his performance Xenakis’ Evryali was hailed as “astonishing” by the 20th Century Music Journal.
Martha Heminger Adjunct Faculty Class Piano	martha.heminger@gcccd.edu	Ms. Martha Heminger has extensive experience teaching private and class piano to all ages and levels of adults and children and has been a faculty member of Cuyamaca College since 1997 where she currently teaches class piano and music appreciation. She has also served as an instructor at San Diego State University, the Creative Arts Program at Bowling Green State University, the Community Music School at San Diego State University, and the Community Learning Program at Cuyamaca College. She has been published in Keyboard Companion and is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. Martha holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University in Ohio as well as a Master of Arts in Music-Piano Pedagogy Degree from San Diego State University. Ms. Heminger has performed in numerous recitals and master classes throughout her career, including a master class with Bruce Brubaker from the Julliard School of Music. She has done extensive research on the subject of adult education, and applied it to adult group piano. She has also played the flute, been accompanist to numerous choirs and soloists, and has limited experience on guitar, organ, harpsichord, and recorder.
Esther Jordan Adjunct Faculty Class Voice Performance Studies	jordanm1@cox.net	Esther Jordan is a versatile singer, music educator and director who has performed various styles of music, from early music, opera, gospel, blues to light rock. She graduated from Grand Canyon University in Arizona with a B.A. in Vocal Performance and Music Education and earned her M.A. from San Diego State University. She has taught and directed in Arizona and California public and private schools, community theaters and churches. Esther has toured with performing groups in the United States and Europe. From 1994-1997 she lived in Japan where she conducted the Yokosuka Choral Society, Hand Bell and Chapel Choirs and performed in recitals. She also taught English in the Japanese public school system. Esther’s past voice credits include soloist with the Phoenix Symphony Pops Concerts, featured artist with Theatre Organ Society of San Diego, soloist with San Diego Harmony Ringers and Camelot Strings. Currently, Ms. Jordan is Director of Worship Arts at Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church and is president of the San Diego Chapter of National Association of Church Musicians. She has been adjunct voice instructor at Grossmont/Cuyamaca Community College system since 1998 and is thrilled to be performing with Pat Setzer and Taylor Smith.
Merryl Nelson Adjunct Faculty Voice Choir Director Intro to Music	merryl.nelson@gcccd.edu www.cuyamaca.edu/merryl.nelson	Merryl Nelson is currently in her first year as Choral Director at Cuyamaca College where she is an adjunct professor of music education. In addition to her work at Cuyamaca, she is also the Choral Director at Granite Hills High School, involving 120 students in three choirs. Merryl has directed choirs of all ages for more than thirty years in public and private schools as well as churches. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Redlands with additional study at the Eastman School of Music, Butler University, San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, Fresno State University, and Grossmont College. She also holds the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from San Deigo State University. In addition to teaching, Merryl is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and the California Music Educators Association. In 2010, Merryl was awarded CMEA's Choral Educator Award for the state of California.
Warren Torns Adjunct Faculty Concert Band Director	warren.torns@gcccd.edu	Warren Torns is a native of New York where he completed his undergraduate studies at Columbia University. He holds a Master Degree from Long Island University with a major in Music Education. Mr. Torns taught conducting and orchestra at the University of San Diego before coming to Cuyamaca College. He studied trumpet under Paul Willemen and William Vacchiano and learned conducting skills under Robert Dolan, Frederick Fennell, Lawrence Christianson and Thomas Lee. He was recently awarded the Legion of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and was named as one of "50 Directors who Make a Difference" by School Band and Orchestra Magazine. Recent honors include being named a Claus Nobel Educator of Distinction, recognized as an Outstanding Teacher by the University of California, San Diego, and named the Music Educator of the Year by CMEA. His musicianship, constant demand for perfection, and his dedication to his students make him a highly respected teacher and conductor.
Scott Walton Adjunct Faculty Class Piano History of Jazz History of Rock Music	swalton@ucsd.edu	Scott Walton is a bassist and pianist whose music negotiates the terrain between jazz, free improvisation, and the classical avant-garde. Active in a variety of ensembles, current projects include the collective quartet Cosmologic, ad hoc ensembles with electronics magician Tim Perkis, and with percussionist Garth Powell, a quartet with trombonist Michael Vllatkovich, a duo with lutinest Gilbert Isbin, and a trio with dancer Ellen Webb and singer Cecilia Engelhart. As a bassist, he has performed and recorded with Alex and Nels Cline, George Lewis, Myra Melford, Wadada Leo Smith, John Carter, Vinny Golia, and Clifford Jordan, among many others. His pianistic focus is on Ives, Cowell, and Messiaen. He has premiered works by numerous composers, and has collaborated with poets, dancers, performance artists, filmmakers, multimedia and telematic artists. Walton is featured on recent CD releases by Alex Cline (“multifaceted, multi-stylistic and multicultural” - All About Jazz, “one of great discs of this or any year” - Downtown Music Gallery, “a fully realized artistic statement” - All Music Guide), and by Cosmologic (“truly fascinating upper echelon progressive jazz music” – All Music Guide, “a stirring listening experience…West Coast jazz at its most heartfelt and adventurous” - All About Jazz).
Department Staff
Steve Mazy Instructional Assistant Recording Studios Music Labs Practice Rooms Music Industry Seminar	619-660-4288 steve.mazy@gcccd.edu Lab Hours: Mon - Thu 1:00 - 5:00 pm Friday 3:00 - 4:00 pm	Steve Mazy manages and maintains the recording studios, rehearsal rooms, and audio equipment as well as offers classroom and studio assistance to faculty and students.
Pat Setzer Department Chair Class Guitar Music Industry Seminar Great Music Listening History of Jazz	619-660-4322 pat.setzer@gcccd.edu www.cuyamaca.edu/pat.setzer Office: Room B-316 Office Hours: Tue 12:30 - 2:00 pm Wed 11:00 - 12:30 pm Thu 8:00 - 9:00 am Fri 12:00 - 1:00 pm	Pat Setzer studied classical guitar and music history in Philadelphia, at the University of the Arts and at Temple University. His musical interests and performing experience range from early music to world music to pop: to paraphrase Will Rogers, he has never met a music he didn't like. Pat has taught at Cuyamaca College since 1996, and currently chairs the Performing Arts Department.