The CMU Department of Music hosts several guest artists each academic year who teach clinics and workshops as well as presenting a recital open to the public. Read about some of our past and present guest musicians.
The CMU Department of Music hosts several guest artists each academic year who teach clinics and workshops as well as presenting a recital open to the public. Read about some of our past and present guest musicians.
Dr. Mary Kathryn Brewer teaches voice and related subjects as an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). She earned a Doctor of Arts degree in Voice Performance with a secondary emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State University. Dr. Brewer is passionate about vocal health, science, and pedagogy. She has partnered with laryngologists and speech therapists to coach singers with voice disorders back to healthy singing and has worked with SLPs on resources for healthy voice use. In addition to her university teaching, she is an active masterclass teacher, working with singers of various backgrounds and in various styles of music across the US and Guam.
In addition to her teaching, Dr. Brewer is an active lecturer and performer. She has presented lecture recitals on Verdi’s art songs at universities and conferences across the US. She has performed with the Indianapolis Opera, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Muncie Masterworks Chorale, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, and Greeley Chamber Orchestra. She is an active recitalist and particularly enjoys performing sacred music.
Dr. Brewer’s books, The Art Songs of Giuseppe Verdi: A Catalog of Texts and a Musicological Analysis and A Performance Guide to Verdi’s Art Songs were published with Edwin Mellen Press in 2019 and 2022. Dr. Brewer released her Lyric Diction Handbook online in 2022 through UNC’s Open Educational Resource Grant. It is available online for free dissemination and use in instruction. In Summer 2023, she wrote an Open Educational Resource book on German Art Song, also available online for instructional use. In her spare time, she loves to travel, read mysteries, and spend time with her husband, Erich and their dog, Moose.
Nicholas Lindell studied both violin and viola under Michael Heald and Maggie Snyder at the University of Georgia and is presently pursuing a doctorate at Rice University with Ivo-Jan van der Werff. He served as principal violist and soloist at the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge in 2021 and regularly plays with the Houston Symphony, the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Ballet, and Houston’s dynamic, conductorless KINETIC Ensemble. He is a four-time finalist in UGA’s Concerto Competition on both violin and viola and was UGA’s Presser Foundation Scholar in 2017.
A man of many hats, Nicholas is also quite passionate about jazz and folk music, and he loves composing, arranging, and performing cross-genre styles. He picked up the Celtic fiddle tradition while training as a competitive Irish dancer and has fiddled and recorded with several bands. In parallel with all this music, he spent a summer researching classified cryptographic problems for the National Security Agency and earned a graduate degree in mathematics with a thesis on mathematical music theory. He has held deep a passion for maths competitions since high school and has twice scored in the top 15% of students nationally on the notoriously difficult William Lowell Putnam Exam. When not playing his instruments, teaching music theory, or studying, Nicholas loves bicycling, frisbee, soccer, and tennis.
Professor De Almeida holds a Master’s degree in Music Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a graduate of The Berklee College of Music in Jazz Composition. He is the leader of his own groups: The Agora Jazz Trio and the jazz fusion super group, The Truth Project Band.
Henrique endorses Humes & Berg drum cases. He is an artist clinician for Sonor Drums, LP Percussion, DW, Vic Firth Sticks, Zildjian cymbals, Evans drumheads, and Earthworks Microphones.
As an accomplished author and published clinician, Henrique’s educational products are often ranked high in Modern Drummer Magazine (most recent 4.5 star - Double Bass Integration for The Jazz Fusion Drummer). His books are an integral part of the Berklee College of Music curriculum and are currently available through the top publishing companies such as Berklee Press, Hal Leonard, Carl Fischer, Amazon.com, Drumeo-Canada and Hudson Music.
In 2017, Henrique became the music director and president of the online school TheDrumSetCoach.com and in the spring of 2020 he opened his own music school in Palmer Lake, Colorado, USA, The Drum Set Coach Academy. In August 2022, Henrique resigned from his prestigious Berklee College of Music full-time Professor position in Boston, MA to be appointed full time Music Director for The Drum Set Coach Academy, in the Colorado Springs area.
Henrique is in high demand as a teacher, producer/composer, and a sought-after artist. He has been approached by some of the top drummers in the world seeking drum set instructions. Drumming legends such as David Garibaldi, Bill Gibson, Mark Walker and many others have benefited from his educational materials. He has also been approached by shows such as ABC’s “Dancing with The Stars” and other enterprises. He is constantly delivering high-praised products to the music industry and designing courses for the Berklee Percussion Department. Henrique works with some of the biggest names in the TV industry, such as HBO and the commercial enterprises, to include writing original music for TV campaign with companies such as Victoria’s Secret and the Australian David Jones Department stores. He also recorded and toured nationally and internationally with the acclaimed USAFA (United States Air Force Academy) Falconaires Contemporary Jazz Big Band, and The USAFA rock band, Blue Steel. Henrique has performed several times at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. He writes articles for Modern Drummer Magazine and has appeared in other publications such as the cover of Drumhead magazine with legendary drummer Steve Gadd.
Henrique performs at music conferences such as PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), JEN (Jazz Educators Network), and numerous jazz festivals around the world. Henrique has performed for The President of the United States, Vice President, and Secretary of Defense. He has performed with an enormous range of artists: Victor Wooten, Steve Hunt (Allan Holdsworth), Bruce Gertz, Dave Samuels, Jerry Bergonzi, Gloria Estefan, Nat Adderley, Antonio Hart, Christopher Holiday, Donny McCaslin, Chris Speed, Igor Butman, Dave Valentin, Scotty Barnhart, Tiger Okoshy, Larry Coryell, Jeff Berlin, Nelson Rangel, Jeff Narell, Ira Sullivan, Victor Mendoza, Danilo Perez, Phil Wilson, Baron Brown, Matt Garrison, Bill Summers, Hilton Ruiz, Betty Carter, Willie Williams, Nando Lauria (Pat Metheny Group), Brazilian Pop Stars: Alceu Valenca, Gilberto Gill, Raul De Souza, Luiz Gonzaga, Hermeto Paschoal, also Brian Lynch, Leo Blanco, Luciana Souza, Katy Webster, and Oscar Kartaia, among others.
For information regarding studying with Henrique, and for a complete list of music educational products visit: TheDrumSetCoach.com
Darren Kramer is a speaker, producer, composer, educator, and professional freelance musician who has toured the world as trombonist with diverse acts Rob Thomas/Matchbox Twenty (Pop/Rock), Tom Jones (R&B/Soul), and Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies w Mercer Ellington (Swing Big Band Broadway Show). Read Testimonials
Kramer is an Electric Trombone DJ, XO Brass Artist, and Ableton Certified Trainer who creatively combines live acoustic instruments with electronic music. Darren’s fascinating approach to music production and live performance is fueled by his unique skill set by starting piano and trombone by age eight, studying theory, composition, arranging, and recording at the University of Miami, and performing in hundreds of bands as a full-time professional freelance musician for nearly 40 years. Kramer’s music production is centered around a MacBook Pro with Ableton Live software and performs live using an Electric Trombone, MIDI keyboard, Push 2 controller, and iPad Lemur App for live looping, live audio effects, vocoder, and beat slicing horn samples. His cutting-edge group ElektroHornz is a supercharged fusion of a 4pc live horn section with music technology for an ultramodern multimedia experience of excellence & innovation.
Kramer founded his own music company in 1998 — DKO The Darren Kramer Organization — and has produced 6 original CDs and composed/arranged 400+ songs, including many for prominent artists such as Michael Brecker & Jerry Hey which are featured on his 2023 DKO Anniversary CD “The Best of 25 Years”.
Darren’s current educational focus are his “Keynote Concerts” Live Speaking “Edutainment” Events and his Sonic Tonic Academy Online Courses — a convenient, affordable and modern way to learn trombone, horn arranging, jazz, music technology, and even health & wellness. Moreover, as a way of giving back by creating and sharing valuable free content to inspire and educate, his popular Music & Wellness Podcast “Sonic Tonic Experience” features a weekly music collaboration & video interview with world-class musicians.
Kramer’s mission is simple, yet profound — To inspire people around the world to create music and promote wellness so we can all become a fundamental ingredient in the global recipe to heal the planet.
Dr. Juanita Ulloa, D.A. enjoys a unique niche as an Operachi singer initiated in her trendsetting CD Mujeres y Mariachi. The singer has been honored as an artist in a class of her own, along with Santana (Mark Halstern, Hispanic Magazine). Dr. Ulloa grew up in Mexico City hearing mariachi in her home as it came from the famed Caballo Bayo restaurant next door. She also lived in Spain and Panama. She pioneers opening awareness and high vocal standards in Mariachi, and is a pedagogue, scholar, and specialist in different styles of Hispanic vocal music. Juanita Ulloa has performed in major California arts centers, is a six-time winner of the Festival de la canción latinoamericana, has won as a classical singer in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition for the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, and is sought after nationally for Latin Pops Symphonic programs. Dr. Ulloa has taught classical and mariachi voice at University of Texas at El Paso, Texas State University, and community colleges in Texas and California. As a professor she trains Commercial and Classical styles and encourages crossover to cultivate diversity. She has trained national Mariachi champions and finalists at Latin American, Mariachi, and NATS Classical Regional Competitions, along with America’s Got Talent and White House singers.
Dr. Ulloa holds a doctorate in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado (emphasis in Hispanic Studies), with music degrees from Yale University (B.A.) and the University of California at Berkeley (M.A.). She is Levels I, II, and III Trained in Commercial Contemporary Music and offers master classes in ranchera and classical Hispanic song at universities nationally and at UNAM Conservatory of Music locations in Mexico City and Ciudad Juárez. She has recorded seven CDs devoted to her favorite themes championing women and bilingualism for children (Parent’s Choice, Parent’s Council, NAPPA, and GrIndy Disney awards), and several songbooks in collaboration with Pearson Music, Mel Bay, and MacMillan/McGraw-Hill. Dr. Ulloa published three volumes of Mexican Song on Antonio Gomezanda with Classical Vocal Reprints in 2017 and has authored The Mariachi Voice (Oxford University Press, 2023). Dr. Ulloa has served as a governor for both NARAS (Grammys) and National Association of Teachers of Singing (SFBAC Chapter) and continues to advocate with the latter on diversity and advisory committees. She maintains a private voice studio, teaches at Laney Community College, and travels offering artist residencies, master classes, and concerts. Information: www.juanitamusic.com.
Sofia Ribeiro is one of the greatest voices from Portugal, a magnificent singer who has the ability to immediately attract the listener to her unique musical universe. With a solid background in jazz studies, a deep connection to Portuguese traditional music and endless hours of listening to Brazilian legendary musicians, Sofia’s artistry challenges the boundaries of music labels. With ten albums as a leader, she has been touring all over the world for the past 18 years. Sofia taught alongside ten-time Grammy award winner Bobby McFerrin at Omega Institute, she was an artist in residence at the Carnegie Hall in New York, and recently gave a TED talk in Colombia about the transformative power of vocal improvisation.
Juan Andrés Ospina is one of the most active and prominent exponents of an outstanding generation of Colombian musicians. His wide range of musical projects make him hard to define: he might as well be producing and arranging an artist’s album, conducting and performing his big band music, playing the piano as a sideman, composing for film, teaching vocal improvisation workshops, composing and singing songs, or creating comedy content for the internet. Parallel to his work as a composer, pianist and arranger, Juan leads the musical humoristic duo Inténtalo Carito along his brother Nicolás Ospina; together they have performed in festivals around the world, and their Youtube Channel has more than 40 million views to date.
Jane Boxall is an adventurous percussionist, working across diverse musical genres. Jane is actively and consistently working as a soloist, collaborator and session player. She has performed in concert halls, art galleries, cafes, castles, kindergartens, hospitals, universities, forests and festivals from Cyprus to San Francisco, India to Quebec, and Manhattan to France. She is dedicated to new music, specializing in contemporary art music on marimba and vibes, and rock and hiphop drumkit for original artists. Born in England and raised in Scotland, Jane completed her BA and MA in Contemporary Music at the University of York (UK), and her Doctorate in Percussion Performance at the University of Illinois.
Ashraf Sewailam began his career as a Cairo Opera Company house soloist, where he performed many roles including Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore, Gaudenzio in Il signor Bruschino, Ramfis in Aïda, Palémon in Thaïs, and Sparafucile in Rigoletto. Mr. Sewailam was named a prize winner at the New Voices (Neue Stimmen) international competition in Gütersloh, Germany and was featured in the opening concert of the New Alexandria Library singing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in Arabic. In addition to his singing engagements, Mr. Sewailam has taught at the American University in Cairo, San Diego State University (as director of opera studies), and served as music director for Disney Character Voice International (DCVI) dubbing Disney productions into Arabic, and performed several of the characters including Mickey Mouse and Ursula. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
WindSync has established itself as a vibrant chamber ensemble performing wind quintet masterworks, adapting beloved music to their instrumentation, and championing new works by today’s composers. The quintet eliminates the “fourth wall” between musicians and audience by often performing from memory, creating an intimate connection. This personal performance style, combined with the ensemble’s three-pronged mission of artistry, education, and community-building, lends WindSync its reputation as ”a group of virtuosos who are also wonderful people, too” (Alison Young, Classical MPR).
Kevin von Kampen is an active percussionist and educator based in Tampa, FL. He is currently on the music faculty at the University of South Florida teaching percussion. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of South Florida, and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Kevin was previously the Percussion Director for the University of South Florida Herd of Thunder Marching Band, a percussion instructor for the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Marching Band, the director of the Cincinnati Youth Percussion Ensemble through CCM Prep, and a middle school and high school music teacher in the Hillsborough County Public School District.
As a performer, Kevin is active in solo, concerto, chamber, and large ensemble works. He appears on Baljinder Sekhon: Places and Times released by Innova Recordings, Globe, Travel, Homeland released by Ravello Records, the McCormick Percussion Group recordings Plot: Music for Unspecified Instrumentation and Plugged and Unplugged: The Music of Ciro Scotto both released by Ravello Records, and Patterns: Chamber Works released by Navona Records. Kevin is also active in commercial music, performing with touring artists such as "Weird Al" Yankovic, Michael Bolton, Irish Tenors, and Michael Amante, and with shows such as “In Dreams” – Roy Orbison Hologram Tour, Video Games Live, 4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince, Cirque Musica, and Rocktopia. His primary teachers include Rusty Burge, Jim Culley, Robert McCormick, Al Rometo, Tony Falcone, and Dana Murray.
Performing together since the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, award winning jazz artists Lisa Kelly & JB Scott have played major stages from clubs to concert venues and festivals throughout the greater U.S, Europe, Canada, and elsewhere internationally. Their appearances include the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Pescara Jazz Festival, Midwest Band Clinic, the Kennedy Center, IAJE, FMEA, and JEN major music conferences. They both have been inducted into the Jacksonville Jazz Festival “Hall of Fame” (Lisa in 2013, JB in 2017), and profiled in the 2010 book, “The New Face of Jazz” among 120 of today’s top jazz artists and mentors. A most charming musical chemistry between them, Lisa’s artful vocal song styling and JB’s trumpet flare offer a highly engaging partnership of beloved jazz standards from the Great American Songbook and classic big band, to Modern Jazz and New Orleans favorites, in styles of swing, easy ballads, Bossa Nova, funk, Street Beat, and more.
Kelly and Scott have released 8 acclaimed CD music projects, been featured on countless others, and on TV and radio. They maintain a full schedule of performing, teaching at jazz camps, and present jazz clinics, co-leading small group presentations to big bands with the region’s top musicians, including the 18-piece, Florida Swing Orchestra. In 1997, Lisa established the official Jacksonville Jazz Festival jam session, hosting it annually for 22 years with JB and their group, with guests from Diana Krall, to Horace Silver, Poncho Sanchez, Dave Valentine, and Roy Hargrove sitting in, to name only a few. As a Board member for Friday Musicale organization, Lisa established Northeast Florida’s first intergenerational jazz camp in 2019 for vocalists and instrumentalists, ages middle school to adult, administrating the camp annually.
Priscilla Hallberg is a concert violinist and a 27-year veteran of the Boston Pops-Esplanade Orchestra. The recipient of a doctorate in violin performance from Rutgers University, Hallberg holds additional degrees from Boston University and the University of Iowa, and has studied at Juilliard and Indiana University. Dr. Hallberg has a longstanding and well-traveled teaching, performing and administrative career. Some of the schools at which she has taught include the University of Northern Iowa, Holy Cross College (MA), Murray State University (KY) and Washington State University. She has also served as Director of the Central College Community Orchestra in Pella, Iowa, the Garden City (KS) College-Community String Orchestra, and the Academy Orchestra at the Medicine Hat College Conservatory in Alberta, Canada. Hallberg is the Executive Director and Lead Teacher of the String Academy of the Southwest, which she founded in 2008 in Kansas and, in 2017, moved to the North Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she currently resides and teaches. She is now writing a memoir about her eclectic life as a musician.
Arthur Houle was Director of Keyboard Studies at Colorado Mesa University from 2006 to 2020 and is now professor emeritus. He is founder/artistic director of the International Festival for Creative Pianists, a critically acclaimed performer, and a published writer, composer, arranger, and editor. Houle was Abundant Silence’s 2015-16 Featured Composing Educator and recipient of five CMU Exemplary Faculty Awards, a 2011 Music Teachers National Association Fellow Award, and, most recently, a 2018 Steinway & Sons Top Teacher Award.