AMEA 2014 Clinicians
All-State Gold Jazz Band Clinician - Dean Sorenson is Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota as well as a prolific and highly sought-after composer, arranger, trombonist, educator, and clinician. Mr. Sorenson’s most recent work is FIRST PLACE FOR JAZZ, a new and innovative method for beginning jazz players published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company. He is frequently featured at festivals and conventions around the country and abroad, and maintains a full schedule of concert and recording dates as a Yamaha performing artist. Mr. Sorenson has composed and arranged for numerous ensembles including the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Airmen of Note, and the Minnesota Orchestra. He is active as a commissioned composer
and arranger for jazz ensemble, symphony orchestra, concert band, and chamber ensembles, and has also written several sacred choral pieces. For more information please visit
www.deansorensonmusic.com.
Gabriel A. Villasurda is recently retired from the Greenville MI Public Schools. A native of Detroit MI, he attended East Detroit High School in the suburb of Eastpointe MI. He ranked first in the graduating class 1959 (of 452) and was class valedictorian. He entered The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor where he earned the degree Bachelor of Music in Music Education With High Honors in December, 1963. He studied violin with Gustave Rosseels and conducting with Elizabeth Green and Theo Alcantara. Later he earned the Master of Music degree also from UM. Teaching posts have been held in Patchogue, Long Island (3 years), Ann Arbor Public Schools (16 years), The American School in London, UK (5 years), the Park-Tudor School, Indianapolis (3 years),
Oberlin College (1 year) and the Punahou School, Honolulu (12 years). Summer teaching at the Interlochen Arts Camp has spanned 35 years. Villasurda is a fully certified Suzuki violin teacher, having finished the teacher training course laid down by the British Suzuki Institute. He has done studio and group teaching following the Suzuki method in England, Holland, Ohio, Michigan, Arkansas, Indiana, Texas, and Hawaii. He has done numerous clinics and adjudications in Michigan and Hawaii. He served as an ASTA state officer, chair of the String Committee of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, and as president of the Hawaii state MENC organization.
All-State Show Choir Choreographer - Jarad Voss currently lives in Branson Missouri. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Madison, he is now a freelance choreographer and performer specializing in hip-hop and urban jazz styles. A former dance captain for the Wisconsin Singers and Six Flags Great America Chicago, Jarad has worked on different festivals, musicals, and industrials. A clinician and choreographer at Show Choir Camps of America, Show Choir Camp Europe, Mt. Shasta, and the Southern Experience, Jarad clinics and choreographs many show choirs and dance troupes throughout the nation.
Dr. Mark J. Walker serves as Director of Bands, Coordinator of Winds and Percussion and Associate Professor of Music at Troy University where he conducts the Troy University Symphony Band, the nationally renowned “Sound of the South” Marching Band, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, marching band techniques, measurement and evaluation, and music education. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Walker serves as Chairman of the Southeastern United States Clinic and Honor Bands, Executive Director of the Middle School Southeastern United States Band Clinic and Honor Bands, and is the Director of the “Sound of the South” Summer Music Camp and Director’s Clinic. He also
serves as Co-Chair, along with Dr. John M. Long, of the National Band Association’s Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Directors. Dr. Walker is a published author, whose articles appears in state and national music education publications and is the principal author and editor of the book The Art of Interpretation of Band Music, published by GIA. He is a contributor to The Euphonium Source Book, published by Indiana University Press. He received his master’s and doctorate degrees in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign during which time he studied euphonium with Mark Moore, conducting with James Keene and research methods under Drs. Deborah Sheldon and Gregory DeNardo. Dr. Walker is also the recipient of the prestigious A.A. Harding Award from the University of Illinois Bands. Dr. Walker is married to Jessica Walker, who teaches sixth grade at Goshen Elementary, and resides in Troy with their daughter, Emily and their American Bulldog, Millie.
Dr. Megan Wicks-Rudolph is in her 20th year of teaching choral music in Alabama. She is currently the choral director at Vestavia Hills High School where she directs six choirs. Dr. Rudolph is Nationally Board Certified (2003) and Orff Level I Certified. Her choral music experience includes directing children’s choir, middle school choir, high school choir, church choir, and teaching collegiate methods classes. She currently serves as the President Elect for Alabama ACDA, and is dedicated to choral music education in the state of Alabama. Megan is married to her husband Brian, and they are the proud parents of Alexis (5), Austin (3), and Zach (1).
Steve Wiese is a long time employee of Wenger Corporation (41 Years), and has a love for music and the arts. He has a design background with 18 years as an application design engineer, and 7 years as a product manager. Steve has 4 patents and 14 sub patents to his credit. Steve is now a region sales manager and has been in direct sales for 7 years. His educational background consists of a Design Engineering Certificate, AA, BA, and MA degrees.
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October/November 2013
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