Faculty
Areas of Study - Faculty Directory
Nicaulis Alliey-Rodriguez
Performing artist, teacher, author and entrepreneur, Dr. Nicaulis Alliey has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and flute teacher in France, Venezuela, the United States, and the Caribbean area.
First Prize Unanimous at the Ville de Paris Centralized Contest (1994), First Prize at the Latin American Flute Competition (Caracas, 2000), Nicaulis Alliey is an artist with Polyphony Artist Management and part of the Artistic Roster of Cayambis Music Press, and develops her artistic work as a solo performer, flutist with Music of the Americas Ensemble (chamber music) and with La Cuadra Venezolana (Venezuelan and Latin-American music, traditional-jazz fusion).
Nicaulis Alliey has been featured as a soloist with most major orchestras in Venezuela, has been First Flute with Orchestre International de Paris, Assistant Principal Flute with Orquesta Sinfónica de Lara, First Flute with Orquesta Sinfónica de Maracaibo, and flutist with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. Two recordings (CD) with La Cuadra Venezolana, and numerous collaborations that include recitals with renowned classical musicians, as well as productions and recordings of renowned Venezuelan popular musicians, endorse Dr. Nicaulis Alliey as a versatile and sought-after artist.
As a teacher, Dr. Nicaulis Alliey has been Flute Professor and Founder Director of the Music School at the Universidad del Zulia, Flute Professor at Universidad de Los Andes, Guest Artist-Teacher at UNET (Venezuela), Flute Instructor at North Park University (Chicago), and guest teacher at El SISTEMA-Venezuela and numerous universities and festivals in the US, Venezuela, Colombia and the Caribbean. Her work "Sonoridad en la flauta traversa: Consideraciones para su estudio y resolución de dificultades técnicas" was published by the Universidad del Zulia (2014).
Nicaulis Alliey is Executive Director of the Music of the Americas Project (Chicago) and holds a DMA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Maîtrise en Musique from Sorbonne University (Paris), Diploma of Superior Studies in Flute under renowned French flutist Raymond Guiot (France), and a degree of Profesor Ejecutante de Flauta (Venezuela).
Nicaulis Alliey-Rodriguez
Asst. Prof., Flute
School of Music
Email: nicaulis.allieyrodriguez@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-7245
Andres R. Amado
Andres R. Amado
Assoc. Prof., Musicology and Ethnomusicology
School of Music
Email: andres.amado@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B1.117
Phone: 956-665-2944
George J. Amorim
George Amorim is Associate Professor of Double Bass at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and director of the annual ¡Viva el Bajo! South Texas Double Bass Festival.
Dr. Amorim’s career is marked by versatility and creativity as a performer and educator with teaching and performances engagements that have taken him to Europe and across Central, South and North Americas.
George earned a doctoral degree from the University of North Texas where he studied under the world-renowned performer and pedagogue Jeff Bradetich. He also holds a Master of Music from Baylor University and a Bachelor Degree from the Ceará State University.
In addition, George has also pursued studies with Francesco Petracchi and he also devotes time to the study of historical performance practices subject in which he has received instruction from David Sinclair and Robert Nairn.
George performed for several years with the Paraná State and Recife Symphony Orchestras in Brazil as well as with the Santo Domingo Music Festival Orchestra under Philippe Entremont. He is currently principal double bassist with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra and most recently he was invited to travel to Yerevan, capital of Armenia representing the USA in the 24/04 World Orchestra for a concert in remembrance of the 100 th Year of the Armenian Genocide.
An educator in demand, Dr. Amorim’s articles on double bass pedagogy has been published by Bass World and Strings magazines. He has been a featured clinician, adjudicator and consultant in several states and abroad, such as the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the International Society of Bassists Convention, the Chicago Bass Festival and the European Double Bass Congress.
Dr. Amorim heads a thriving double bass studio at UTRGV, which is comprised of some of the most gifted young bass players from the RGV and a handful of equally talented international students. He also founded and directs the ¡Viva el Bajo!, an organization that promotes double bass playing in South Texas and helps inspire and guide young musicians in their studies of the double bass.
Dr. Amorim spends his summers teaching and performing in various programs and this past summer he joined the artist-faculty of the Nuevo Mundo Festival in Aruba and the Campamento de Cuerdas in Puerto Rico.
George performs on an unlabeled mid-1700’s bass, a 1860 French bass and an Aaron Reiley’s copy of a 1756 M.I. Stadlmann Viennese violone and several modern and historical bows, including a modern German bow by Marco Pasquino, a baroque bow by Antonio Airenti and a couple of transitional bows made by Ed Shillitoe.
Visiting Artists
Double Bass students at UTRGV have the unique opportunity to hear and work with some of the finest musicians in the world through master classes and clinics.
Visiting artists are made possible through the generous support of local and nationwide consortia of music businesses, the UTRGV School Music, the COFA Dean’s Office and the ¡Viva el Bajo! Educational Services.
Listed below are some of the artists who have visited our school to perform and teach:
- Thierry Barbé, Solo Bassist at the Paris Opera (2016)
- Philip Alejo Professor at University of Arizona (2016)
- Bret Simner, Viennese Violone/Early Music Specialist (2016)
- P. Kellach Waddle, Austin Symphony/Composer (2016)
- Joel Quarrington, London Symphony Principal Bassist (2015)
- Barry Green, The Inner Game of Music (2015)
- Mark Morton, Professor at Texas Tech University (2012-2016)
- Jessica Gilliam-Valls, Austin Symphony/Southwestern University (2015)
- Paul Unger, Fort Worth Symphony (2015)
- Heran Yang, TianYang Liu, ChengYin Lu, The T.R.Y Ensemble (2015)
- Carlos Gaviria, Professor at Stephen F. Austin University (201 and 2015)
- Sonia Martinez, Young Bass specialist (2008-2015)
- Erik Unsworth, UT El Paso (2015)
- Antonio Hernandez, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, MX (2014)
- Jack Unzicker, Professor at UT Arlington (2014)
- James VanDemark, Eastman School of Music Double Bass Professor and concert artist (2011/2013)
- Ciro Vigilante, Vienna Chamber Orchestra (2013)
- Greg Hamilton, Concordia Collene, MN (2012)
- Robert Nairn, Penn State/Juilliard School of Music (2012)
- Nick Scales, West Texas A&M (2012)
- David Dawson, Austin Symphony /Texas State University (2012)
- Francesco Petracchi, World renowned soloist and pedagogue (2012)
- Tony Parry, Louisiana Philharmonic (2012)
- Christopher Buddo, Director of the Eastern Carolina University School of Music and concert artist (2011)
- Alexandre Ritter, Soloist and Professor of Double Bass at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil (2011)
- Jeff Bardetich, University of North Texas Double Bass Professor and concert artist (2008, 2010)
- Catalin Rotaru, Arizona State University Double Bass Professor, concert and recording artist (2009)
- Gudrun Raschen, Tarleton State University Double Bass Professor and concert artist (2008)
- Sonya Ray, Federal University of Goiás Double Bass Professor and Scholar (2008)
- Tony Rosario, Abilene Philharmonic Principal Bass (2009)
- Carolina Melchiori, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Double Bass Professor (2009)
- Joao Titton, Professor at State University of Santa Catarina, Brazil (2007)
Check out:
George J. Amorim
Prof., Strings: Double Bass
School of Music
Email: george.amorim@utrgv.edu
PACB 2.108
Phone: (956) 665-2869
Juan Pablo Andrade
Costa Rican pianist Juan Pablo Andrade is the recipient of numerous awards, among them are the First Prize at the Artlivre International Piano Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil; First Prize in the National Piano Competition in CR; First Prize in the Concert of Soloists Competition at Arizona State University; First Prize at the UNCG Concerto Competition and Second Prize in the University of Costa Rica Concerto Competition.
He has performed as soloist with the South Bend Symphony, the UNCG Symphony, the ASU Symphony, the Central American Symphony, the Bolivian National Symphony, the Costa Rican Youth Symphony, and in several occasions with the Costa Rican National Symphony. As a recitalist he has appeared in almost every Costa Rican city, Santa Cruz and La Paz in Bolivia, San Salvador in El Salvador, Washington DC, Oslo and Madrid. Many of his performances have been recorded and broadcasted by the Phoenix Classical Radio Station KBAK, Costa Rican University Radio and Costa Rican National Television.
In the year 2000 he was awarded the National Prize of Music, the highest recognition given to a musician by the Costa Rican Ministry of Culture. Andrade obtained the Bachelors and Licenciatura in Music degrees from the University of Costa Rica in San José; the Masters of Music from Arizona State University, an Artist Diploma from Indiana University-South Bend and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Piano at Idaho State University and Lecturer of Piano at UNCG.
Juan Pablo Andrade
Prof., Piano
School of Music
Email: juan.andrade@utrgv.edu
BEIDM 120A
Phone: (956) 882-7477
Gabriel Bauza
Mr. Gabriel Bauza is currently serving his fifth year as a faculty member in the School of Music at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Mr. Bauza is currently serving the School of Music in the capacity of full time lecturer, where his responsibilities include teaching Elementary Music Education, Music Appreciation, Applied Percussion, Dance Accompaniment, and the One O’clock Latin Band. Mr. Bauza is active as a performer in south Texas in commercial, popular, and Latin Music settings. He most recently completed a performance engagement in Vancouver, Canada at a DRUMEO Drum Camp. Mr. Bauza’s musical training includes tutelage under Mr. Robert Botello, Mr. Oscar Sanchez, Mr. Raul De Leon Jr, Mr. Dave Atkinson, Mr. Jared Falk, Mr. Mike Michalkow, and Dr. Mark Ramirez. Mr. Bauza earned a Bachelor of Music degree (BM) in 2009, and a Master of Music degree (MM) in 2011, in music performance from the University of Texas-Pan American. With over 5 years of teaching experience at this institution, and over 10 years of professional performance experience, Mr. Bauza continues to strive for excellence in teaching and performance at the local, national, and international levels.
Gabriel Bauza
Lecturer III, Music Appreciation/Elem. Music Ed
School of Music
Email: gabriel.bauza@utrgv.edu
PACB 2.108
Phone: (956) 665-3471
Art Brownlow
Art Brownlow
Prof., Music History
School of Music
Email: art.brownlow@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: BMSLC 2.227
Phone: (956) 882-8946
Migeun Chung
Dr. Migeun Chung is a highly accomplished collaborative pianist and coach who has garnered a wealth of experience across the world of opera and musical theater. Dr. Chung set to join the Professional Pianist for SongFest She returned to Bay View Music Festival as an Artist in Residence, where she worked as an Assistant Music Director for the Musical, Beauty and the Beast as well as a coach for the Art Song class in summer 2023. Additionally, she has participated in faculty recital and chamber music at Bayveiw. Notable among her achievements, she served as music director for Opera Scenes at MOSI during the year 2021, pianist-coach for Così fan tutte in the winter of 2022, repetiteur/pianist for A Midsummer Night's Dream at Opera NUOVA in the Summer of 2019, as well as coach/pianist at Opera in the Ozarks in 2018.
Throughout the 2022-2023 season, Dr. Chung held the position of Resident Artist at the Indianapolis Opera. She made her mark in various major productions, including Tosca the double-bill of Gallantry & Veteran Journeys and the grand finale of Die Zauberflöte. Beyond the stage, she engaged in outreach programs, masterclasses, and educational initiatives. Notably, she contributed her talents as the Resident Pianist for the Vocal Immersion Program (VIP) in Castleton, VA in 2023. Her international pursuits encompassed collaborations with Marcello Cormio at Opera Lucca in Italy and Gabriel Dobner at AIMS in the summer of 2022, as well as engagements at Interlochen Arts Camp, Classical Lyric Arts in Italy, Westminster's CoOperative Program, Opera Nuova in Canada, Opera in the Ozarks, and Bay View Music Festival. Dr. Chung's talent extends beyond performance to education and training. She notably participated in the Varna International Piano Master Class and Concerto Competition in Varna, Bulgaria during the summer of 2006.
Her extensive repertoire includes a wide range of works in a full production, such as George Frideric Handel's Rinaldo, Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus, Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Douglas Moore's The Ballad of Baby Doe, Cinderella (a Pastiche) of Rossini and Massenet, Bizet's Carmen, Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Gréty's Zémire et Azor, Kurt Weill's Berlin to Broadway, and Stephen Schwartz's Pippin, and Duncan Sheik's Spring Awakening, Looking at You, La Finta Giardiniera, and Giulio Cesare featuring extensive opera scenes as well.
She earned both her Doctorate and Master's degree in piano performance, specializing in collaborative piano, from the University of North Texas, where she received multiple scholarships and a graduate assistantship under Adam Wodnicki. She also earned a second Master's degree in collaborative piano from Carnegie Mellon University, where she served as an opera rehearsal/principal pianist. Dr. Chung joins as a Lecturer I in the School of Music at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley this fall 2023. She is also an apprentice pianist for Vincerò Academy in 2023-2024.
Curriculum Vitae
Migeun Chung
Lecturer I - OYA, Piano
School of Music
Email: migeun.chung@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-665-3471
Rebecca Coberly
Rebecca Coberly
Prof., Voice
School of Music
Email: rebecca.coberly@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B1.119
Phone: (956) 665-7154
Matthew Coffey
At the University of Cincinnati, he served as the conductor of the University of Cincinnati Men’s Chorus, a 100-year-old ensemble that comprises students from all 14 UC colleges. He also supervised undergraduate Music Education students in their student teaching placements, taught private conducting lessons to undergraduate and graduate students, and served as assistant conductor of the undergraduate opera. While in Cincinnati, he served on the music staff of Knox Presbyterian Church and sang professionally with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, conducted by GRAMMY® award winner, Craig Hella Johnson.
During his 11 years as a high school choral director in the Houston area, 45 of Dr. Coffey’s students were named to a Texas All-State Choir. While at Ridge Point High School in Fort Bend ISD, he oversaw a 346% increase in enrollment in choral programs and the institution of a yearly Masterworks concert with professional chamber orchestra.
His current research interests include the sacred choral music of Michael Haydn, pre-service music teacher education, and rehearsal pedagogy. He has studied conducting with Joe Miller, Earl Rivers, Brett Scott, and Allen Hightower and participated in conducting masterclasses with Simon Carrington, Donald Nally, Joshua Habermann, Louis Langrée, and Dale Warland.
Dr. Coffey has given lectures and presented interest sessions at conferences and universities in Texas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. His speaking engagements this year include the Ohio Music Educators Association, the North Dakota Music Educators Association, and the Southwest division of the American Choral Directors Association.
Matthew Coffey
Asst. Prof. Choral Studies
School of Music
Email: matthew.coffey@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2.108
Phone: 956-665-3473
Cynthia Cripps
Dr. Cripps resided in the Republic of Panama for ten years where she played bassoon and saxophone in the Panama Symphony Orchestra from 1993-1999. From 1997-2003, she taught band, grades 6-12, at the International School of Panama (ISP). Dr. Cripps worked on curricula design at ISP and developed an eight-year saxophone program for the Instituto Nacional de Musica (INM - music conservatory) where she taught saxophone from 1994-2003. As part of her DMA, she traveled to the countries of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala to research and complete her essay "Classical Saxophone Curricula in Central America."
Dr. Cripps has performed solo and quartet recitals and presented lectures at the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Regional and Biennial Conferences in Texas, Arizona, South Carolina, Illinois, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. She has performed in three World Saxophone Congresses in Croatia, Slovenia, and Minnesota. She has performed new music and celebrated music of female composers at the Music by Women music festival at Mississippi University for Women. She has performed at the American Single Reed Summit and showcase performances at TMEA (Texas Music Educator's Association).
In Michigan, Indiana, Panama, Florida, and Texas, Cindy has participated in many community orchestras, concert and jazz bands, including pit orchestras. She enjoys chamber music and taking her students to perform locally and at conferences.
Cynthia Cripps
Prof., Winds: Saxophone Ensemble
School of Music
Email: cynthia.cripps@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2116
Phone: (956) 665-3474
Peter Dabrowski
Peter Dabrowski
Prof., Music Appreciation
School of Music
Email: peter.dabrowski@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: ELABS 334
Phone: (956) 665-3471
Allison Davis
Dr. Allison Davis serves as Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where she currently teaches music education courses and directs the Concert Band. An Ohio native with roots in Massachusetts, Dr. Davis holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Missouri with a Cognate in Wind Conducting and Band Pedagogy, a Master of Music in Music Education with a Specialization in Wind Conducting from Bowling Green State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Bowling Green State University. She has worked with top-tier collegiate ensembles and athletic bands in both the Southeastern and Mid-American Conferences since 2018. Dr. Davis also served as the Woodwind Director for the Rock Bridge High School band program in Columbia, MO and founded the Missouri Youth Symphonic Band. She has had the pleasure of studying with Dr. Brian Silvey, Dr. Wendy Sims, Dr. Amy Knopps, Dr. Ken Thompson, and Dr. Bruce Moss.
Dr. Davis’s primary areas of research focus on instrumental conducting and rehearsal techniques, preservice music education curricula, repertoire selection, and democratic practices in large ensemble settings. Her dissertation, A Multiple Case Study of Preservice Music Educators Experiences in Rehearsal Clinic, investigated the experiences of secondary instrumental music education majors in an advanced conducting and rehearsal skills course. Dr. Davis is active in both state and national research settings, presenting at conferences and publishing in both peer-refereed and practitioner journals.
Prior to her university teaching experience, Dr. Davis taught a combination of secondary band, choir, general music, and marching band in the public schools of Ohio. Due to her time spent with a diverse student populations, she has advocated for the performance of contemporary music by minoritized composers. Ensembles under Dr. Davis’s direction have premiered works by Cory Brodack, Emilio José González, and Yoell Tewolde (student composer), and she has worked closely with other acclaimed composers including Katahj Copley, Kevin Day, Grace Baugher Dunlap, Kelijah Dunton, Roshanne Etezady, and Jennifer Jolley. She actively integrates technology in both lecture-based and ensemble-rehearsal settings, including utilizing ForScore in full ensemble rehearsals and frequently hosting collaborative Zoom sessions with composers, to create a more interactive and enhanced student experience. Dr. Davis regularly works as an adjudicator, clinician, and music arranger for bands of all ability levels and age ranges around the country.
Allison Davis
Asst. Prof. of Music Education
School of Music
Email: allison.davis@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-665-8707
Richard Davis
Richard Davis
Prof., Voice
School of Music
Email: wendell.davis@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex.
Phone: (956) 665-2868
Virginia Davis
Virginia Davis
Prof., Elementary Music Ed.
Email: virginia.davis@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2126
Phone: (956) 665-7439
Norman Gamboa
Norman Gamboa is the Director of Orchestral Activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He also currently serves as Music Director of the Sonoma County Philharmonic in California and the Aurora Symphony Orchestra in Colorado. One of the most prominent Central American conductors, Dr. Gamboa maintains an active guest conducting schedule with recurring appearances throughout Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Minnesota, California, and Nevada. Worldwide engagements include concerts with distinguished orchestras in major cities in Central and South America as well as Eastern Europe. A versatile conductor, equally at home with opera, ballet, chamber and symphonic orchestral repertoire, Norman Gamboa has conducted a large variety of innovative joint ventures, including choreographed ballet productions with Ballet Midwest, Santa Rosa Dance Theater and Aurora Dance Arts, as well as several successful fully-staged operas with the Topeka Opera Society and Opera on Tap Colorado. Festival appearances include Plzeň 2015 (Czech Republic), FOSJA-Casals Festival of Puerto Rico, Central American Festival of Chamber Music, International Music Festival of Medellín (Colombia), Villarrica Music Festival (Chile), FIA International Festival of Arts of Costa Rica, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Bregenzer Festspiele (Austria), the Las Vegas Music Festival, OSESP-International Orchestra Conductors Competition, ITEC-Regina Music Conference in Canada, as well as the New York Brass Conference. Previously, Dr. Gamboa served as Music Director of the Powder River Symphony Orchestra in Wyoming, Director of Orchestral Studies at Washburn University, Associate Conductor of the Las Vegas Music Festival, Cover Conductor for the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, as well as Assistant Conductor of the Waco Symphony and Music Director of the Waco Symphony Youth Orchestra. He holds a bachelor of music degree from Baylor University, a master degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Nevada and a doctorate degree in conducting from Louisiana State University.
Norman Gamboa
Lecturer I, Orchestra
School of Music
Email: norman.gamboa@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2.126
Phone: (956) 665-3771
Marco Guerra
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Texas Pan American, Marco Guerra spent subsequent years working in New York City as an Afro-Caribbean percussion facilitator in after-school programs and Integrated Arts Program where he gave applied drum-set lessons, served as consultant for professional drummers while working at Drummer’s World in Manhattan’s Broadway Theater District and performed on a regular basis in NYC and surrounding areas.
Upon returning to the Rio Grande Valley, Marco served as a graduate assistant in the UTRGV School of Music while working on a Master’s in music performance. He performs regularly with in with his jazz trio, an R&B group, a flamenco duo, and he freelances throughout South Texas.
Marco Guerra
Lecturer I OYA, percussion
School of Music
Email: marco.guerra02@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-3471
Jonathan Guist
Jonathan Guist
Prof., Winds: Clarinet Ensemble
School of Music
Email: jonathan.guist@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: Eidman 2018
Phone: (956) 882-8808
William Haugeberg
Dr. William (Bill) Haugeberg is currently the Assistant Professor of Low Brass at The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in Brownsville, Texas. Prior to his appointment at UTRGV, Dr. Haugeberg taught at Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX), Albany State University (Albany, GA) and was a graduate assistant at Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL).
Known for his versatility, Bill frequently plays on tenor, alto and bass trombone in a variety of styles, from jazz to orchestral and from solo to chamber music. He is a member of the Valley Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with many regional symphonies including the San Angelo Symphony, Allen Symphony, Monroe Symphony, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Reno Philharmonic and the Mid-Texas Symphony. Bill has been a featured with several ensembles, including the UTRGV Wind Symphony, Tarleton State University Wind Ensemble and is a founding member of the Bell Street Four Trombone Quartet, winners of the 2008 International Trombone Association Quartet Competition.
As an educator, Bill has been an invited clinician at many colleges and universities in the United States, including the University of Central Arkansas, Missouri State University, the University of Southern Mississippi. For information on masterclasses and lessons, please contact him by email or phone.
Bill earned his Doctor of Music in Trombone Performance from Florida State University, Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of North Texas and Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks.
William Haugeberg
Assoc. Prof., Euphonium/Trombone/Tuba
School of Music
Email: william.haugeberg@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-7700
Daniel Hunter-Holly
Daniel Hunter-Holly
Prof., Voice, Opera
School of Music
Email: daniel.hunterholly@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: BMSLC 2.229
Phone: 956-882-7178
Susan Hurley-Glowa
Susan Hurley-Glowa
Prof., Ethnomusicology
School of Music
Email: susan.hurleyglowa@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: BMUSI 2.226
Phone: (956) 882-5787
Tido Janssen
Tido Janssen
Lecturer III, Strings: Cello
School of Music
Email: tido.janssen@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B2.128
Phone: 956-665-3475
Krista Jobson
Dr. Krista Jobson enjoys a multi-faceted career that has included Principal Flute positions in orchestras, military bands, chamber music ensembles, concerto soloist appearances, and teaching positions. A sought after guest artist and clinician, she has given performances and masterclasses in Australia, Germany, Japan, France, Mexico, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, and Puerto Rico, as well as across the continental United States.
As a soloist, Dr. Jobson has won numerous awards and honors. She has been named a prize winner in competitions sponsored by the National Flute Association and Florida Flute Association and was a finalist in the American Prize National Music Competition in both the Instrumental Soloist-Professional and Chamber Music-Professional divisions. Her concerto performances include solo appearances with the Valley Symphony Orchestra, Taffelmusik, the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Symphonic Winds, the UTRGV Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, and the Converse College Symphony Orchestra.
Jobson is Co-Principal Flute of the Valley Symphony Orchestra (McAllen, TX). She is also Principal Flute of The Trade Winds Recording Ensemble for Excelcia Music Publishing. She toured for four years as Co-Principal Flute of the concert band and woodwind quintet of an active-duty U.S. Air Force Band. From 2009-2011, Dr. Jobson served as Principal Flute of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra. She has also given performances with Spoleto USA (Piccolo Spoleto), Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Blue Lake Festival Faculty Orchestra, Blue Lake Faculty Wind Ensemble, and the International Fellowship of Conductors Composers and Collaborators (IFC3).
Her love for collaborative musical settings has led her to serve as flutist with several active professional chamber music groups, including Duo Aldebaran (flute & guitar) who were named finalists in the Chamber Music: Professional division of the American Prize Competition and who released their debut album in 2021: "Colores Latinos" - music of contemporary Latin American composers for flute & guitar; Cherry Street Flute Duo who released their debut album "Music of Women Composers" in 2022, and Crossroads Flute Quartet, who will release their debut album in 2023.
Dr. Jobson earned a Bachelor of Music degree with High Honors from Converse College as a student of Christopher Vaneman, and both a Master of Music degree and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Flute Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where she studied with Mary Posses and where she held the flute position in the fellowship woodwind quintet. Her other principal flute teachers include Christina Smith, Jean West, and Nancy Clew. She has performed in masterclasses for Jim Walker, Leone Buyse, Peter Lloyd, Charles Wadsworth, Claudia Anderson, Bart Feller, Michael Gordon, Shannon Finney, Inara Zandemane, the Imani Winds, Borealis Wind Quintet, and the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet.
For more information please visit: www.kristajobson.com
Krista Jobson
Assoc. Prof., Winds: Flute, Flute Ensemble
School of Music
Email: krista.jobson@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B2.112
Phone: 956-665-7227
Jason D. Jones
Dr. Jason D. Jones, a native of the Appalachia region, is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at UTRGV on the Brownsville campus. From conducting the Eastman Women’s Chorus to singing shape note songs at a goth bar, Jones’ performance experience is as varied as his teaching and research interests. He earned a Ph.D. in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music where he earned the Shetler Prize. Jones holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Master of Education from Emory & Henry College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and French from Emory & Henry College in Emory, VA. Jones holds certification Kodály from OAKE and Eurhythmics from the American Eurhythmics Society. Previously, Jones was an assistant professor of music education and music education coordinator at Reinhardt University in Waleska, GA. He has experience teaching elementary general music, choir, and strings to children in urban and suburban areas. He was a recipient of the SAISD Foundation Inspire award for his work with urban elementary school children and was recognized for his significant contributions to the SAISD elementary strings project. He has presented workshops, research, and clinics on several topics for school districts, state, national, and international conferences, non-profits, and universities. His research interests include motivation in music classrooms, cross-cultural and intergenerational relationships between teachers and students, Sacred Harp, differentiated music classrooms, and differently abled students in elementary music. His work has been published in the Journal of General Music Education, the book Kaleidoscope: A Collection of Standards-Based Lessons for the K-7 General Music Classroom, and by the American Eurhythmics Society.
Jason D. Jones
Asst. Prof. of Music Education
School of Music
Email: jason.jones@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: BMSLC 2.224
Phone: 956-882-7726
Brendan Kinsella
-Bill Baker, host of Syracuse Public Radio’s “Concert Hall”.
-The Houston Chronicle
-Andrew Sigler, NewMusicBox.org
Brendan Kinsella
Prof., Piano
School of Music
Email: brendan.kinsella@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B1.109
Phone: 956-665-2874
Shoko Kinsella
Pianist Dr. Shoko Nakamura Kinsella enjoys her diverse career as performer and teacher. She has extensively performed as a recitalist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician throughout the United States, Italy, and Japan. Her past concert engagements include a solo recital in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Valley Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Music Series, and Artist Presentation Society in St. Louis as a result of winning the APS Solo Competition. Her concerto appearances include Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra, after winning the JCSO Concerto Competition, and University of Cincinnati Orchestra Club, performing at the inaugural concert.
As a chamber musician, she has appeared as guest artist at Western Illinois University, Earlham College in Indiana, Johnson County Community College in Kansas City (live performance broadcasted by 91.5 Kansas Public Radio), Summer Opera and Music Festival in Lucca Italy, and numerous collaborative appearances with large and small ensembles. She served as guest artist faculty of the soundSCAPE New Music Festival in Maccagno, Italy.
Dr. Kinsella is currently on the piano faculty at University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate piano students, as well as collaborates in recitals with faculty and guest artists. She also gives masterclasses, clinics, and judges competitions internationally and across the state. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (2010), under the instruction of the artist-pedagogue Robert Weirich, with additional trainings by artists including Jerome Lowenthal, Ivan Moravec, and Anthony De Mare. She earned her Master’s (2006) and Bachelor’s (2004, magna cum laude) degrees in Piano Performance from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a student of William Black and Michael Chertock, where she was nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award. Born in Chiba, Japan, Dr. Kinsella currently resides in McAllen, TX.
Shoko Kinsella
Lecturer III, Piano
School of Music
Email: shoko.kinsella@utrgv.edu
Performing Arts Complex B1. 108
Phone: (956) 665-2884
Stacy Kwak
Stacy Kwak
Lecturer III, Piano
School of Music
Email: stacy.kwak@utrgv.edu
BEIDM 120B
Phone: 956-882-7387
Francisco Loera
Francisco Loera has been a Lecturer at UTPA/UTRGV for over twenty years in the Departments of Modern languages and Music, teaching Language and Literature, the History of Mexican Folk Music, and Mariachi ensemble. He has been the co-director of Mariachi Aztlán during his time at the University, leading the mariachi to earn the reputation as the most outstanding university mariachi program in the nation.
The Mariachi has traveled throughout Mexico representing the United States and throughout America as musical ambassadors representing the beauty of the Hispanic music and cultural traditions. For more than 15 years, in San Antonio, Texas, and in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Mariachi Aztlán has been selected as the “Outstanding College or University Mariachi” in nationwide competition several years in a row. For several years, the Mariachi Aztlán won “Grand Champion” of the Mariachi Spectacular Competition. In 2014 and 2016, the Mariachi Aztlán was invited as guest clinicians for the Mariachi Spectacular Workshop and performed at international mariachi conferences in San Diego, Tucson and Chicago in 2015 and 2016. The Mariachi Aztlán has won first place in the “Best in Texas” Mariachi Invitational at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, in Houston, Texas numerous times.
Highlight performances include an invitation from the White House to perform at a signing ceremony of an Executive Order commemorating the renewal and enhancement of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, performing for President Barack Obama in 2010. In collaboration with the Houston Grand Opera, Mariachi Aztlán premiered the stage production of Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, the world’s first “Mariachi-Opera” in 2010. Other concerts include appearances at the Hollywood Bowl, the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, and a performance of the mariachi opera Cruzar la Cara de la Luna with the Chicago Lyric Opera in 2013. Other performances include an encore concert with the Chicago Lyric Opera in 2014 and concerts at the 2015, 2016 San Diego Mariachi Festival, the Tucson International Mariachi Conference in 2015, and the Chicago Heritage Mariachi Conferences in 2015 and 2016. The Mariachi Aztlán premiered the new mariachi opera El Pasado Nunca Se Termina with the Chicago Lyric Opera in 2015 and proudly released a new CD, Mi Nombre es México to commemorate the 25 th Anniversary of the UTPA/UTRGV Mariachi Program.
Francisco Loera
Senior Lecturer, Mariachi/Mexican Folk Music
School of Music
Email: francisco.loera@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B 1127
Phone: (956) 665-3045
Teresita Lozano
Dr. Lozano is a passionate advocate for musical activism and civic engagement in the community, particularly in public education, human rights movements, and immigrant right movements. She has served as a Borderland music specialist, artistic performer, and monologist for Motus Theater’s UndocuAmerica Project, Welcoming the Stranger, Women of Resolution, and Salsa Lotería immigrant women’s project in collaboration with Motus Theater’s artistic director, Kirsten Wilson.
Dr. Lozano maintains a professional performance career as a flutist and vocalist in diverse global traditions, including Latin American and Western Art music. She is a co-founding member of the Colorado-based Mexican women’s ensemble, Las Dahlias, and is the former director of the Banda MUSE children’s Mexican ensemble in Boulder, CO. She has also performed and recorded with multicultural community ensembles, including projects featuring Mexican, Georgian, Balkan, and Romanian traditions.
Prior to her current position at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Lozano served as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Ethnomusicology at West Virginia University. She was previously awarded the prestigious Charlotte Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship for research centered on religion and ethics. She is also an alumna of the Smithsonian Institution’s Latino Museum Studies Program where she worked in residence as a graduate fellow for the National Museum of the American Latino (formerly the Smithsonian Latino Center). Dr. Lozano holds a BME with an emphasis in flute performance from Baylor University and a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology (Musicology) from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Teresita Lozano
Asst. Professor, Musicology & Ethnomusicology
School of Music
Email: teresita.lozano@utrgv.edu
EPAC B1.107
Phone: (956) 665-2929
Samantha Luna
Samantha Luna
Part Time Lecturer, Voice
School of Music
Email: samantha.luna@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2.108
Phone: 956-665-3471
Rachel Mann
Dr. Rachel Mann is an Assistant Professor of Music at UTRGV, where she teaches music theory and ear training courses primarily on the university’s Brownsville campus. Dr. Mann completed a Ph.D. in music theory at the University of Texas-Austin, where she held a Kent Kennan Endowed Graduate Fellowship and was awarded the Herbert Colvin Award for the best student paper at the 2005 Texas Society for Music Theory conference. She also holds degrees in music with all-level teacher certification (BM) and music theory (MM) from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining the UTRGV faculty, Mann held positions in music theory at the University at Albany – SUNY, the University of North Texas, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Dr. Mann's research interests include the music and writings of the twentieth-century Catalan composer, Roberto Gerhard, and other Second Viennese School composers; the Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas; electroacoustic and film-music criticism; and pop-rock theory. Dr. Mann is also engaged in developing a computer-aided, music theory instruction package called Harmonia, which combines music notation, automatic music analysis and grading, word processing, multimedia playback, and a sophisticated web-based learning management system. As the Senior Content Developer for Illiac Software, she creates pedagogical content for Harmonia, updates software support pages, and runs a general music theory resource blog for teachers and students on the Harmonia website. Visit www.harmonia.illiacsoftware.com to learn more.
Dr. Mann has presented her research throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Germany, Spain, and the UK. Her work is published by Salem Press, Ashgate Publishing, and Cambridge Scholars Press, and her Harmonia research has been supported with funding from the University of Illinois and a Phase I STTR grant from the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Mann is a reader for the national AP music theory exam, she is an active member of the Texas Society for Music Theory, and holds memberships in the Society for Music Theory (SMT), the Association for Technology in Music Instruction (ATMI), the College Music Society (CMS), and the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA).
Teaching Philosophy:
- It is my philosophy to treat my students as mature adults. I expect them to be intelligent and responsible, to stand by their own opinions, yet be open to different schools of thoughts and teaching styles.
- To actively engage my students in the educational process, it is my duty to lead class discussions to determine the level of understanding and mastery. I prefer that my students “uncover” the mysteries of a work on their own (in small, moderated group settings). We all end up learning more because everyone approaches works from different perspectives.
- I like to listen to and teach from a wide range of musical styles and traditions ranging from the European classical tradition, popular music, jazz, and world music. I also enjoy talking about pieces my students enjoy.
- Ultimately, I encourage my students to always consider the practical application of their theoretical study by reflecting on their own personal musical experiences as performers and listeners. It is my goal to encourage my students to approach their theoretical studies as a means for providing deeper understanding of their own musical experience.
Rachel Mann
Assoc. Prof., Music Theory
Email: rachel.mann@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: Eidman Hall
Phone: (956) 882-7116
Anthony T. Marasco
Dr. Anthony T. Marasco is an Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Composition at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Across the United States as well as in Norway, Italy, Brazil, Denmark, and Canada, his works and research have been featured at festivals such as New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME), the Web Audio Conference, the Networked Music Festival, the Toronto International Electroacoustic Symposium, the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the U.S. (SEAMUS), Electroacoustic Barn Dance, New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, the International Computer Music Conference (ICMC), Mise-En Festival, Montreal Contemporary Music Lab, Electric LaTex, and Omaha Under the Radar.
Dr. Marasco's research focuses on the development of new hardware and software for interactive performance. His dissertation, titled "Bendit_I/O: A System for Extending Mediated and Networked Performance Techniques to Circuit-Bent Devices", details his work creating a hybrid hardware/software framework extends techniques native to the practices of telematic and network art to hacked hardware so that artists can design collaborative and mediated experiences that incorporate old devices into new realities. An avid builder and developer, his projects have centered on creating digital music instruments, circuit design, physical computing, and creative coding for the web. A proponent of STEM literacy for all ages, he is passionate about integrating music technology into both public school and higher education curriculums in order to help students discover how music technology can enrich and influence their musical practices.
Before coming to UTRGV, Dr. Marasco served as the Program Coordinator and Curriculum Developer for the Digital Design & Emergent Media STEM Pathway at Louisiana State University. There, he trained and collaborated with teachers from across the state to bring courses in digital media production and storytelling to high school students. Hailing from Northeastern Pennsylvania, he also previously taught at the University of Scranton and at Penn State University campuses throughout the region. He holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Music & Digital Media from Louisiana State University, an M.M. in Music Composition from Towson University, and a B.A. in Music Composition from Lebanon Valley College.
Anthony T. Marasco
Assist. Prof., Music Technology and Composition
School of Music
Email: anthony.marasco@utrgv.edu
BMSLC 2.221
Phone: 956-882-7387
Kurt Martinez, Director
Kurt Martinez, Director
Prof. Guitar Ensemble
School of Music
Email: kurt.martinez@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B2.108
Phone: (956) 665-2992
Monica Martinez
Dr. Martinez has presented as a soloist, adjudicator, and chamber performer at the SHE Festival of Women in Music, Southeast Horn Workshop, Mid-South Horn Workshop, International Women’s Brass Conference, and the International Horn Society’s Horn Symposiums. She has also been a contributing artist with the Chromatic Brass Collective, Texas All-Star Horn Professors Horn Choir, PHAT Big Band, and Corni Angelicus. The UTRGV Horn Choir has been featured as a music showcase for the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention and at the 53rd and 54th International Horn Society’s Horn Symposiums.
Prior to her time at UTRGV, Dr. Martinez taught public school for Point Isabel ISD, Grades 3-5 at Derry Elementary and private school, Grades 6-12 at San Marcos Baptist Academy. She has held Adjunct Horn Instructor positions for Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi and Prairie View A&M University. She taught as a private Horn instructor for Austin ISD, Pflugerville ISD, and Dripping Springs ISD. As an active freelance musician, she’s performed with the San Antonio Symphony, Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Texas Symphony, Symphony of the Hills - Kerrville, Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, Temple Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, Round Rock Symphony Orchestra, Central Texas Philharmonic, Austin Symphonic Band, Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Lakeside Pride Symphony Orchestra and the Beloit-Janesville Symphony Orchestra.
She achieved a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in Horn Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. She also earned dual Bachelor's degrees in Horn Performance and Music Education from Texas A&M University at Kingsville. Her mentors have included Patrick Hughes from The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Jennifer Ratchford-Sholtis from Texas A&M University at Kingsville, and Robert Ward, Principal Horn of the San Francisco Symphony and Horn instructor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Monica Martinez
Assist. Prof., Brass: UTRGV Horn Studio/Horn Choir, High Brass Methods
School of Music
Email: monica.martinez@utrgv.edu
EPAC-B1.110
Phone: (956) 665-3399
Pedro Martinez
Pedro Martinez
Prof., Brass: Trombone, Latin Band
School of Music
Email: pedro.martinez@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2.111
Phone: (956) 665-3182
Jason Mitchell
Jason is a Lecturer of Composition and Music Technology at UTRGV where he maintains two labs (Mac & PC) and additionally serves as the advising coordinator for the School of Music. He earned a DMA in Music Composition and Theory from the University of Illinois, a MM in Theory and Composition as well as a MM in Classical Guitar Performance from Texas Tech University, and a BA in Applied Classical Guitar from University of Texas - Pan American. Jason has taught music theory and aural skills at the University of Illinois as well as undergraduate courses in electro-acoustic music composition at the University of Illinois’s Allen Hall. He has worked as a studio technician for the University of Texas Film Scoring Studio and served as studio director for the University of Illinois Unit 1 Electronic Music Studio.
Jason’s compositions appear on the EMPiRES, HighSCORE, and UIUC-EMS labels as well as on the 50th Anniversary of the University of Illinois Experimental Music Studios CD and his works have been featured on the Foldover Radio Show in Oberlin, Ohio. “Fractured Focus,” a video and sound collaboration with artists Josephine Turalba and Joaquin Tangalin, is on permanent display at the Yuchengco Museum in Manila, Philippines and other collaborative works have been installed at the 2016 CairoTronica and 2015 Venice Biennial. He was the featured composer of the 2014 Oh My Ears! Festival in Phoenix, Arizona, and his music has also been performed at numerous festivals and conferences including ICMC, SEAMUS, SCI, NYCEMF, Studio 300, NSEME, NMEA, EMM, KCEMA Happy Hour series, Channel Noise at Georgia Southern U., and Ensemble Mise-En’s summer festival and concert series. He has attended residencies at the Atlantic Center for the Arts (US), SoundSCAPE (Italy), HighSCORE (Italy), and UpBEAT (Croatia). To learn more about Jason’s music, visit www.jholtmusic.com.
Jason Mitchell
Lecturer I, Music Technology, Composition, Music Appreciation
School of Music
Email: jason.mitchell@utrgv.edu
EPAC C1.107
David Moreno
David Moreno
Lecturer I OYA - Mariachi
School of Music
Email: david.a.moreno01@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2.108
Phone: 956-665-3471
Juan de Dios Ocampo
Juan de Dios Ocampo
Lecturer, Piano
School of Music
Email: juan.ocampofonseca01@utrgv.edu
Lorne O'Neil
Lorne O'Neil
Prof., Winds: Clarinet/Clarinet Choir
School of Music
Email: lorne.oneil@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2114
Phone: (956) 665-3476
Joel Pagan
Joel Pagan
Prof, Strings: Viola/Violin
School of Music
Email: joel.pagan@utrgv.edu
Performing Arts Complex B2.129
Phone: (956) 665-3677
Michael Quantz
Dr. Quantz has conducted guitar ensembles across the nation. In August, 2015 he co-directed the UT Brownsville/Texas Southmost College Flautarra ensemble in a feature concert during the National Flute Association convention in Washington DC. In June of 2015 he conducted the UT Brownsville/Texas Southmost College Guitar Orchestra as the featured university performers at the GFA convention in Oklahoma City. He led the UT Brownsville One O'clock Guitars on a two week tour of Austria in July 2014 that included performances at the Schoenbrunn Palace and the US Embassy in Vienna. In June of 2014 he directed the guitar orchestra for the Congresso National de Guitarra de Nicaragua and spent a week teaching lessons and master classes for students who traveled from all over Central America to attend.
After receiving a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in guitar performance from the University of North Texas, he directed the Guitar Studies and Estudiantina programs at the Lopez Fine Arts Academy in Brownsville, Texas. Under his leadership, this program grew into one of the largest competitive high school guitar programs in the United States. During his tenure at Lopez, the College Board and the J. Paul Getty Trust selected him as the Site Coordinator for a multi-year project entitled: The Role of the Arts in the High School Curriculum.
Michael Quantz
Prof., Guitar Ensemble
School of Music
Email: michael.quantz@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: Eidman 204
Phone: 956-882-7527
Mark Ramirez
Mark Ramirez
Prof., Percussion Ensemble
School of Music
Email: mark.ramirez@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B1.125
Phone: 956-665-8762
Mezraq Ramli
Dr. Mezraq Ramli serves as Assistant Professor of Double Reeds at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where he specializes in oboe and bassoon. He also teaches chamber music, sight-singing and ear training. Prior to relocating to the Valley, Dr. Ramli served on the faculties of Northwestern Michigan College, Saginaw Valley State University and Lubbock Christian University. He has presented recitals and masterclasses at Texas Tech University, Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico State University, The University of Texas at El Paso, Central Michigan University and Miami University.
Dr. Ramli maintains an active and diverse career as a chamber and orchestral musician, recitalist, and arts administrator. He performs as Principal Oboe with the South Asian Symphony Orchestra in India, Valley Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, as well as Second Oboe with the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, and Baroque on Beaver Music Festival in Michigan. He has also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Middletown Symphony Orchestra, and Holland Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Ramli has concertized throughout South and South East Asia, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, and the U.S.A.
In 2015, Dr. Ramli founded the Leland Musical Arts Celebration (LMAC), an annual summer concert series in Leland, Michigan, which features world-class musicians from the U.S. and abroad.
A self-confessed double reed geek, Dr. Ramli is a consultant at Advantage Double Reeds USA, where he assists in research and development of oboe and bassoon products.
Dr. Ramli earned his degrees from Texas Tech University (DMA), Miami University (MM) and Grand Valley State University (BM) where he studied oboe with Amy Anderson, Andrea Ridilla, and Dr. Marlen Vavriková, respectively. His principal bassoon teachers include Richard Meek and John Clapp. Dr. Ramli deems his teachers: Andrea Ridilla, Barry Martin, Lynn Hansen, Lindabeth Binkley and Elizabeth Tomorsky Knott to be his most influential artistic influences and mentors.
Dr. Mezraq Ramli is proud to be an F. Lorée – Paris Performing Artist.
Mezraq Ramli – Loree – Paris (loree-paris.com)
Mezraq Ramli
Asst. Prof. of Double Reeds and Aural Skills
School of Music
Email: mezraq.ramli@UTRGV.edu
BMSLC 2.220
Phone: (956) 882-7188
David Rios
David Rios lives in McAllen, TX with his wife, 3 kids ages 12, 9 and 6, and 3 dogs. David has an AA in Culinary Arts from South Texas College, BPS in Music Production from Berklee College of Music, and MBA from Southern New Hampshire University with a concentration in Music Business from Berklee. Currently working as the Reference Supervisor at McAllen Public Library, he owns and operates Musicademy McAllen, which employs 6 private music instructors. Additionally, he works as a music producer for local bands and artists. Throughout the past 25 years David has formed and played in several bands, for which I played guitar or bass, selected repertoire, and managed.
Curriculum Vitae
David Rios
Part Time Lecturer
School of Music
Email: david.rios@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2.108
Phone: (956) 665-3471
Ronnie Rios
At 21, he began teaching in the Kingsville ISD, TX where his middle school and high school Concert Bands received consistent UIL Sweepstakes Awards and Best in Class Awards at various state and national festivals. His Jazz Ensembles also received Best in Class and numerous “Outstanding Band of the Festival” Awards. He had All-State Band and Jazz Band students and led the Marching Band to the Texas State Marching Band Championships in his final year.
As Director of Bands at Harlingen High School, TX for 21 years, all Six Concert Bands received consistent UIL Sweepstakes Awards, Best in Class, State and National Awards and All-State Band and Jazz Band students. The Harlingen High School “Big Red” Cardinal Marching Band made 11 consecutive appearances at the Texas State Marching Band Championships, qualifying every opportunity from 1998-2018. The group also earned positions in the finals of the Bands of America Regional Championships, including being named a Regional Champion. In 2011, the Harlingen HS Band was named the Texas Bandmasters Association “Exemplary High School Band Program of the Year” in Texas. In 2022, Mr. Rios also led the Port Isabel, TX Tarpon Marching Band to the Texas State Marching Band Championships and a Bands of America Class Champion. Both Marching Bands have won numerous 1st Place Festival Awards and Grand Champion Marching Band Awards throughout South and Central Texas. His Concert Bands have advanced to the TMEA State Honor Band and Outstanding Performance Series State Finals numerous times finishing as high as 7th in Texas.
The Harlingen HS Jazz Ensemble received consistent Best in Class and numerous “Outstanding Band of the Festival” Awards. HHS was named the Invited High School Jazz Ensemble for the State of Texas and showcased at TMEA in San Antonio. His high school jazz ensembles have performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago two times. Rios' Jazz Ensembles have shared the stage with artists Wynton Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, Michael Brecker, John Fedchock, Conrad Herwig, Mike Steinel, Woody Witt, Armin Marmolejo, Dennis DiBlasio, Terell Stafford, and Arturo Sandoval.
Mr. Rios’ groups have performed throughout Texas, Florida, California, New Jersey, Washington DC, Illinois and Central Park in New York City. Mr. Rios has been named to the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers numerous times and was also named Teacher of the Year in the Harlingen CISD. He is also a past Phi Beta Mu ‘Texas Young Bandmaster of the Year’ recipient and was recently awarded the prestigious Texas Bandmasters Association "Meritorious Achievement Award."
Mr. Rios continues to serve as the Artistic Director for the community group - Rio Grande Valley Jazz Orchestra in Harlingen, TX. This group has also performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago two times and has shared the stage with the World Famous Count Basie Orchestra. He is a member of TMEA, TBA, TMAA, and Phi Beta Mu. He is the Past President of IAJE-Texas, TJEA, a past TMAA Vice-President and served as the TMEA Texas State Band Chair. He is currently the TMEA Area G Band Chair and has served as a clinician and adjudicator in Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, Georgia, Nevada, Utah, California, New Mexico and Indiana. He currently serves as an active adjudicator for UIL, DCI, and BOA.
Ronnie Rios
Asst. Prof. of Practice, Director of Athletic Bands
School of Music
Email: ronaldo.rios@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-882-7768
Hector Javier Rodriguez
As a soloist, Dr. Rodriguez’s career is highlighted by several events: he was first place winner in the University of Texas-Pan American Guitar Competition in 2009 and second place winner in the Houston Guitar Competition in 2010 (Classical Minds). Additionally, Rodriguez was recipient of the Ocelotl Award by Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila 2010 for Best Artistic Project. In 2014, he received the Leo Brouwer Prize at Festival Internacional de Guitarra del Noreste in Saltillo, Mexico. He was Second Prize Winner at the Dallas International Guitar Competition in 2018.
Dr. Rodriguez joined the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley faculty in the fall of 2014, where he serves as Director of the Guitar Ensemble and as Lecturer of Applied Guitar. Prior to his appointment at UTRGV, Dr. Rodriguez served on the faculty of the Escuela Preparatoria, Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, and on faculty at South Texas College.
An advocate for new music for guitar ensemble, Dr. Rodriguez has arranged several works, with the particular aim of replicating the sound world of the symphony orchestra. His arrangements are published by Bergmann Edition and ALRY Music and have been performed in concerts and festivals in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United States, Panama, and Lebanon, among others.
Dr. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance from the Escuela Superior de Música Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila (Saltillo, Coahuila, México) where his primary teacher was Martín Madrigal; a Master of Music from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico where he studied guitar with Ivan Rijos and Manuel Barrueco; and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree with a secondary emphasis in early music from the University of North Texas, where he studied guitar with Thomas Johnson, and where he studied theorbo and early instruments with Daniel Swenberg and Arash Noori.
For more information please visit: www.hectorguitar.com
Hector Javier Rodriguez
Lecturer III Guitar, Guitar Ensemble
School of Music
Email: hector.rodriguez@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B2.127
Phone: 956-665-3471
Scott Roeder
Scott Roeder
Prof., Brass: Tuba, Euphonium
School of Music
Email: scott.roeder@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B2.115
Phone: 956-665-7134
Katrina Roush
Dr. Katrina Roush is an Assistant Professor of Music Theory at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music theory and ear training. She holds a Ph.D. in Music Theory from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, an M.M. in Music Theory from Michigan State University, and a B.A. in Applied Piano from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her dissertation, titled “Framing Listening Experiences in Selected Works of Corelli,” explores the roles listeners play in their own subjective experiences with music and examines the interaction between pieces and listeners through analysis.
Some of Dr. Roush’s other research interests include emotion and meaning in music, music and philosophy, musical agency, topic theory, video game music, and television music. She has presented her research at conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including the Gruppo Analisi e Teoria Musicale International Conference of Music Analysis and Theory, the European Musical Analysis Conference, and the Rocky Mountain Society of Music Theory. In addition, Dr. Roush strongly believes in the collaboration between professors and librarians, and has co-presented on this topic at the Texas Music Library Association with her librarian husband.
Before coming to UTRGV, Dr. Roush taught at Butler University, Indiana University, and Michigan State University. A special interest of hers is online instruction. While at IU, she participated in the pedagogical development of Music Fundamentals Online, a web-based program for remedial music theory. She currently teaches the fully online Fundamentals of Music course at UTRGV using her own materials.
In her courses, Dr. Roush emphasizes the necessity of communication between musicians by encouraging written and spoken dialog about musical works. She believes that analytical skills will help her students become better teachers, performers, conductors, and composers as they understand music more deeply. Dr. Roush is especially concerned about the mental, emotional, and physical health of academic communities and works to find ways to integrate these principles into her classroom and one-on-one interactions with students.
Katrina Roush
Assist. Prof., Music Theory
School of Music
Email: katrina.roush@utrgv.edu
EPACB 1.126
Phone: (956) 665-2681
David Sadlier
David Sadlier
Prof., Voice, Opera
School of Music
Email: david.sadlier@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex
Phone: 956-665-2860
Alexander Sanso
Alexander has had the pleasure of studying with Dr. James Madeja (Crane School of Music), Charles Saenz (Bowling Green State University), Timothy Leasure (The Ohio State University), Byron Stripling (The Ohio State University), and Dr. John Charles Thomas (Assistant Principal trumpet, Hartford Symphony). Sanso has performed with the Lima (Ohio), Columbus (Ohio), Westerville (Ohio), Worthington (Ohio), and Adrian (Michigan) symphony orchestras. Alongside his orchestral work, Sanso also regularly performs as a pit musician with the Columbus Children’s Theatre and South Eastern Summer Theater Institute.
He has served as third trumpet with the Westerville Symphony Orchestra and second trumpet Worthington Chamber Orchestra, and can be heard on the Bowling Green State University Wind Symphony’s 2018 album as a section and principal player. Sanso has also performed with the Tower Brass Quintet, a Toledo based group, with other faculty members from Bowling Green State University, as well as the Utopia Brass Quintet based in Columbus, Ohio. Sanso also has a developing solo career, performing solo recital programs at both Bowling Green State University and Ohio University.
Alexander’s area of research focuses primarily on new works which feature the trumpet as a solo instrument. Additionally, his dissertation document, “An Analysis of Three Compositions for Trumpet by Female Composers,” centers around works for trumpet by underrepresented composers (Female and BIPOC). As a soloist, Sanso premiered Cooper Wood’s Sonata for Trumpet and Piano in October of 2020, and has joined consortiums of composers Robert Langenfeld and John Hennecken.
Curriculum Vitae
Alexander Sanso
Lecturer I - OYA, Trumpet
School of Music
Email: alexander.sanso@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-665-3471
Kenneth Saxon
Kenneth Saxon
Prof., Piano
School of Music
Email: kenneth.saxon@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: Eidman 120D
Phone: 956-882-8267
Diana Seitz
Diana Seitz
Assist. Prof., Strings: Violin
School of Music
Email: diana.seitz@utrgv.edu
EPACB 2125
Phone: (956) 665-5318
Hector Silva
Hector Silva
Lecturer I (OYA), World Music, Sight Singing & Ear Training
School of Music
Email: hector.silva02@utrgv.edu
ELABS 265
Phone: (956) 665-2403
Shayna Tayloe
A native of Boca Raton, Florida, soprano Shayna Tayloe’s most recent roles include Lucy in The Billy Goats Gruff and Adele (cover) in Die Fledermaus with Amarillo Opera, Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Monica in The Medium, Valencienne in The Merry Widow, Marian Paroo in The Music Man, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Flora in The Turn of the Screw, and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. She has recently appeared as a soloist with the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and with the Cornish-American Song Institute (CASI) as a Vocal Fellow. With CASI, she appeared in recital at Oxford University in Oxford, England and was the soprano soloist in Mozart’s Regina Coeli in Falmouth, Cornwall. She has appeared as an artist in the Concert Studio at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria and was an artist at the Tallis Scholars Summer Institute in Seattle, WA., where she performed under the baton of Peter Phillips. Shayna appears on the 2011 Grammy Nominated recording of Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem as a member of the Professional Choral Institute ensemble, a collaboration with Seraphic Fire.
Dr. Tayloe co-presented the session “Write it Down: An Opera Singers’ Guide to Character Paperwork” at the National Opera Association Texoma Regional convention in September 2019, and presented her research, “Analysis of Fluctuations in Vibrato Rate and Extent Using Affect in Operatic Repertoire” in January 2019 at the National Opera Association Convention Poster Session in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has participated in masterclasses with distinguished artists such as Susan Graham, Barbara Bonney, Silvia McNair, and Sherrill Milnes. Dr. Tayloe received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Alabama and her Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and Graduate Certificate in Opera Studies from Texas Tech University. Dr. Tayloe currently serves as Lecturer of Voice and Lyric Diction at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Shayna Tayloe
Assist. Prof., Voice and Lyric Diction
School of Music
Email: shayna.tayloe@utrgv.edu
BMSLC 2.228
Diane Taylor
A frequent soloist, Diane has appeared recently with the Warminster Symphony, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Network for New Music, the Northern Kentucky Community Chorus, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Master Chorale. Recent works include Mozart’s Requiem, Honegger’s King David, Messiah, Mozart’s Mass in c minor, and Fasch’s Misssa à 16 voci in Quattro Cori.
She received a Bachelor of Music from Capital University Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Music and a Professional Studies Diploma from the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. When not singing, Diane spends her free time tangled up in a knitting project or baking pastries.
Diane Taylor
Part Time Lecturer, Voice
School of Music
Email: Diane.Taylor@utrgv.edu
BMSLC 2.213
Phone: (956) 882-7768
Sean Taylor
Sean Taylor
Assoc. Prof., Voice, Master Chorale
School of Music
Email: sean.taylor@utrgv.edu
Brownsville: TACB 1.016
Phone: 956-882-7724
Liudmila Varlamova
PhD, Pedagogical Sciences, Russian Academy of Education, 1993
MFA, Choral Conducting, Gnesins' State Music and Pedagogical Institute, 1982
BFA, Choral Conducting, Gnessin State Musical College, 1977
Liudmila Varlamova
Lecturer III, Piano
School of Music
Email: liudmila.varlamova@utrgv.edu
EPACB 1126
Phone: 956-665-7914
Justin Writer
Justin Writer
Prof., Music Theory/Composition
School of Music
Email: justin.writer@utrgv.edu
Edinburg: Performing Arts Complex B2.131
Phone: 956-665-2890