Ruben Alvarez

Rubén P. Alvarez is a Chicago based Latin percussionist, drum set artist, author, composer, and educator. He is on the faculty of Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, and Columbia College Chicago, and he is a mentor for the Jazz Links residency program for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Rubén is an educational endorser for Latin Percussion, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and Remo drumheads and percussion, and presents clinics and workshops at elementary, high schools, colleges and universities, and national and international educational conferences. Rubén’s educational articles have been featured in Down Beat magazine and he is the co-author of Rox Media’s Sheddin’ the Basics™ Latin Jazz/Part One instructional CD-ROM.

His performance and recording credits include movie soundtracks, radio and television jingles and performances and or recordings with Grammy nominees Junior Wells, John Mayall, Dennis De Young, Sones de Mexico, Guitarra Azul, Dave Valentín, Chuchito Valdés, and Ramsey Lewis. Rubén currently performs with Chicago’s premier Latin jazz ensemble Chévere, Orbert Davis and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, John Faddis and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and is the leader and musical director of El Trio Tropical and the Raices Profundas Latin Music Ensemble.

Ellen Rowe

Ellen Rowe, jazz pianist and composer, is currently Associate Professor and Chair of Jazz Studies at the University of Michigan. She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Rayburn Wright and Bill Dobbins. Prior to her appointment in Michigan, she served as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Connecticut.

Winner of the Hartford, CT Advocate Readers’ Poll for Best Acoustic Jazz, Ms. Rowe has performed at jazz clubs and on concert series throughout the U.S., as well as touring in Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland and Australia. Her first CD as a leader, “Sylvan Way” was released in 2001 on BOPO records and her second CD, “Denali Pass” came out in the spring of 2005. Also active as a clinician, she has given workshops and master classes at the Melbourne Conservatory, Hochshule fur Musik in Cologne and the Royal Academy of Music in London, in addition to many appearances as a guest artist at festivals and Universities around the country.

When not leading her own quartet, she is in demand as a sideman, having performed with a wide variety of jazz artists including Kenny Wheeler, Tim Ries, Tom Harrell, John Clayton, Ingrid Jensen and Steve Turre. She has also been a guest on two installments of Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz” on National Public Radio, most recently in March of 2003. Her two CDs as a leader, “Sylvan Way” (2000) and “Denali Pass” (2005) have received extensive airplay and critical acclaim.

Ms. Rowe's compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by jazz ensembles and orchestras around the world, including the Village Vanguard Orchestra, BBC Jazz Orchestra, U.S. Navy Commodores, Berlin and NDR Radio Jazz Orchestras, London Symphony, DIVA and the Perth Jazz Orchestra. Many of these works can be heard on recently released CD’s including “Leave It To Diva”, “The Perth Jazz Orchestra”, “Bingo” (The Bird of Paradise Orchestra) and “I Believe In You” (DIVA). She has recently been a composer-in-residence at the Eastman School of Music and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Her big band compositions are currently published by Sierra Music Publications.

Having been selected to conduct the MENC All-Eastern and All-Northwest Jazz Ensembles as well as All-State jazz ensembles throughout the country, she has also been an invited clinician at the Music Educators National Conference Eastern Division Convention and the International Association of Jazz Educators Convention. Her quartet was recently featured in performance at the 2005 IAJE Conference in Long Beach, California.

Paris Rutherford

Paris Rutherford is a regents professor in jazz studies at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas, where he coordinates vocal jazz studies and directs UNT Jazz Singers I, award-winning vocal jazz ensemble heard on ten albums. In addition to his work with the Jazz Singers, he teaches courses in instrumental and vocal jazz arranging, and vocal jazz styles.

A sought-after clinician in vocal jazz, Rutherford has over eighty vocal jazz arrangements in publication by Hal Leonard, Sound Music Publishing, UNC Jazz Press, and recently through Artist Share by Maria Schneider. He is a board member in the newly formed Jazz Education Network. He also directs the premier North Texas Summer Vocal Jazz Workshop each June.

In June 2008, Hal Leonard Publications released Rutherford’s new book The Vocal Jazz Ensemble, in which he details the entire list of issues connected to directing a jazz choir.

His instrumental compositions and arrangements have been played and recorded by the One O'Clock Band, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, the Air Force Reserve Jazz Ensemble, the North Texas Clarinet Consort and Adkins String Ensemble, as well as by the Dallas and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras. In earlier years, Rutherford composed and produced advertising music for the Stephen Arnold Group, TM Productions, Pams, the William B Tanner Corporation, as well as for his own production company in London, England. He is a former member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

A native of Dallas, Rutherford received Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Composition at Southern Methodist University, and formerly taught at the University of Colorado at Denver.

Jarrard Harris

Saxophonist/Composer/Educator Jarrard Harris currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Columbia College of Chicago and Trinity International University in addition to being the director of jazz studies with the Thelonious Monk Institute/Advanced Arts Education Jazz Studies Program with Chicago Public schools. He maintains an active private teaching studio in addition to serving as a performer/clinician with various colleges and high school jazz programs in the United States and abroad. Jarrard received his bachelor of Music in jazz studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music from DePaul University where he studied with Rick Van Matre and Mark Colby respectively.

He has performed with such notable jazz artist as Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath, Claudio Roditi, Nicholas Payton, Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Dick Hyman, Marcus Belgrave, Kevin Mahogany, Claudia Acuna, Gerald Wilson, and Alvin Batiste. Jarrard currently is a member of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble and performs with his own jazz quartet. He is also a member of the jazz faculty of the Yamaha Bands of America summer institute.

Dan Gregerman

Daniel Gregerman, Choral Director at Niles North High School District 219, Skokie, IL has spent 19 years building an award winning choral program consisting of 4 concert choirs and 3 vocal jazz ensembles. Gregerman also teaches electronic music and digital piano. In addition, he is currently working towards his goal to add a full scale recording studio to the school to expose students to a wide range of applications. Gregerman and fellow arts educators across District 219 were recently recognized for their ability to continually deliver diverse quality educational offerings and received the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts Award for Outstanding Fine Arts Education, the first public high school in history to receive this honor.

Applying his deep passion for jazz education, Gregerman started and built the NNHS extra curricular vocal jazz program from one to three ensembles. These groups have earned nationwide recognition, performed at regional and national conferences, won six Down Beat awards and performed at jazz festivals both nationally and internationally. Gregerman’s top vocal jazz ensemble Take One, has shared the stage with such names as Diane Schuur, The New York Voices, The Real Group, Take Six, and Janis Segal of The Manhattan Transfer. Known composers such as Jennifer Barnes, Michele Weir, Kirby Shaw, Greg Jaspers, and Gary Fry continue to create musical arrangements and compositions for all three vocal jazz ensembles.

While in his role at NNHS, Gregerman has served in a variety of leadership roles within the community of jazz education. Positions include State Chairman of Vocal Jazz for IMEA, IMEA District VII Vocal Jazz Chair, Guest Director for several IMEA District Jazz Festivals and Director of the Midwest Grammy All Star Jazz Choir for NARAS, Inc. Gregerman also acts as an adjudicator and clinician across the Midwest. Most recently he was asked to guest conduct the Midwest Young Artists Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

Gregerman earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and a Master of Music Degree with an emphasis in Choral Conducting and Jazz Studies from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. Prior to his current role at Niles North Gregerman served as Choral Director and Assistant Band Director for the McHenry Community High Schools in Illinois. In addition to his educational commitments, Gregerman shares a beautiful daughter and son with his wife Sandra. The family resides in the north shore of Chicago.

Andrew Surmani

Andrew Surmani is a native of Oakland, California who now resides in Los Angeles. He played trumpet in the California All-State Honor Band, the McDonald's All-American Marching Band and Jazz Band, and the Walt Disney World All-American College Jazz Band. Andrew attended California State University, Northridge where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance. While at Northridge he played with the CSUN Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Jazz "A" Band. He has toured throughout the USA, Europe and Japan, and performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York. After playing lead trumpet in shows at Walt Disney World, Andrew returned to southern California to pursue his MBA degree and began working for Alfred Publishing Company. Andrew is currently the Vice President of Marketing and Managing Director, School and Church Publishing. He is co-author of Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory, along with his wife Karen Farnum Surmani, a former LA Unified School District music educator, and Morton Manus, President of Alfred Publishing Company. Andrew currently serves as a founding board member of the Jazz Education Network and is on the curriculum committee for the Masters in Music Industry Studies degree program at CSUN.

Michael Kenyon

Michael Kenyon currently serves as executive director for the Percussive Arts Society, a position he has held since 2001. He has extensive experience as an arts administrator working primarily with youth and music and has held the position of executive director for the New Mexico Jazz Workshop, a leading jazz presentation and education organization in the Southwest. He holds a Masters Degree in Performance Pedagogy from Arizona State University and has extensive professional experience as a jazz drummer and percussionist.

Steve Crissinger

As one of the founding partners of 12 Points Graphics & Apparel, Steve Crissinger has enjoyed the opportunity to utilize the lessons learned from his time in the Capital University Big Band both his personal and professional life.

Upon graduation from Capital University with a degree in history and minor in music, Steve was presented the opportunity to serve as a professional staff member for the Simon Kenton Council, BSA. During a successful tenure with the Boy Scouts of America he gained valuable experience in non-profit administration, operations and fundraising.

In 2004, Steve and two partners launched 12 Points Graphics & Apparel which is a screen-printing and embroidery company based in Columbus, Ohio. Since that time 12 Points has enjoyed great success and experienced consistent growth in all markets enabling them to become a licensee for Boy Scouts of America and to serve as the primary merchandiser for several prominent organizations in the music industry.

Steve serves as the District Finance Chairmen for the Tri-Creek District in the Simon Kenton Council, volunteers as an advisor to the Senior High Youth Group at his church; as an alumni advisor for the Capital University Jazz Studies Department; and as Treasurer for the Jazz Education Connection of Ohio.

Rick Kessel

Rick Kessel serves as publisher for Symphony Publishing's music education group of magazines which include, JAZZed, SBO - School Band & Orchestra, and CD - Choral Director magazines and also as associate publisher for MMR - Musical Merchandise Review.

Rick grew up in central New Jersey and holds a bachelor's degree in music and audio technology from Indiana University and an MBA from Clark University in Massachusetts.

Rick has over twenty five years experience in the magazine publishing field and was responsible for launching SBO magazine in 1998 and Choral Director Magazine in 2004, and JAZZed in 2006.

As a staunch advocate for music education, Rick has continually encouraged support for music in the schools in his numerous magazine editorials.

Rick's extensive background as a professional clarinetist and teacher has included performances with Luciano Pavarotti and Henry Mancini.

Rick is currently the principal clarinetist for Symphony Pro Musica in central Massachusetts, and is an active member of the American Bandmasters Association, MENC, and is a member of the board of directors of the Jazz Education Network.

Rick resides in Worcester, Massachusetts with his wife Cynthia and sons Samuel and Nathan.

Paul Chiaravalle

Paul Chiaravalle began his professional career in 1965 with the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, where he served as featured trumpet soloist and director of the Jazz Ensemble. In June 1974, he was appointed as director of The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the official ceremonial unit and escort to the President of the United States. While serving during the Nation's Bicentennial, he participated in numerous White House ceremonies honoring such visiting dignitaries as Emperor Hirohito of Japan, the King and Queen of Spain, and the Queen of England.

After his participation in the inauguration ceremony for President Jimmy Carter he was appointed director of the Jazz Ambassadors, the Army's premier touring jazz ensemble. He conducted numerous national and international performances during the ten years he held this position and has appeared with and conducted for such luminary artists as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, "Doc" Severinsen, Diane Schuur, Andy Williams, Kathie Lee Gifford, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Hampton, Arturo Sandoval, Chet Atkins and many more.

Mr. Chiaravalle was awarded the Legion of Merit (the nation’s highest peacetime award) upon his retirement from military service.

In 1986 he was selected to head the new American Music Program at the University of North Florida. As the Director of Development, he established a Performing Artist Series, a Guest Speaker and Artist in Residence Program and created annual fund-raising activities in support of student scholarships.

In October 1987, Mr. Chiaravalle accepted a position with the Walt Disney Company to manage and operate the International Festival, Educational Outreach, Guest Talent and Special Event Programs for Walt Disney World Resort. He provided the authentic ethnic folkloric performers for Epcot from around the globe and contracted the guest talent utilized for the Walt Disney TV Specials and Movie Premieres. Mr. Chiaravalle was also the Producer of “Candlelight”, the largest and most successful live show spectacular at Walt Disney World Resort.

In December 1998, he was promoted and assigned as corporate manager of "Entertainment Arts” for Walt Disney Entertainment and was directly responsible for the development of Arts educational initiatives for all Disney properties worldwide.

For a brief period of time after leaving the Disney Company, he headed up United Arts as President & CEO prior to accepting his current position as Associate Vice President & Chief of Staff for Columbia College Chicago, the largest Media and Arts College in the world.

Mr. Chiaravalle, a highly requested international keynote speaker, currently serves on the Boards of the International Festival & Events Association, The Illinois Arts Alliance, the Chicago Central Area Committee, and is an American Ambassador to the Federation Internationale des Organisations de Festivals.

Bob Breithaupt

Robert Breithaupt enjoys one of America's most diverse musical careers.

While leading the Jazz Arts Group (JAG) as Executive Director since 2001, Breithaupt has also served as the drummer of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra since 1980. As a consultant and spokesperson, he promotes the organizational structure of JAG, one of America's leading non-for-profit jazz organizations, as a model to be replicated by other communities.

In concerts, tours and with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Breithaupt has appeared with a virtual "Who’s Who" of great jazz talents, including a roster as diverse as Benny Carter, Terry Gibbs, John Pizzarelli and Monty Alexander. He regularly performs with many of the nation's finest orchestras along with trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling and Broadway star Sandy Duncan.

Breithaupt is an endorser and consultant for the Yamaha Corporation, Sabian, Ltd., Innovative Percussion, and Remo, Inc. As a businessman, Breithaupt was one of the founders of Columbus Pro Percussion, Inc., and served as vice-president for twenty-five years.

Breithaupt is considered one of the nation's leaders in percussion education. He is Professor of Music and Department Chair of Performance Studies at Capital University. Since 1978 Breithaupt has developed one of the most recognized undergraduate percussion programs in the United States, producing students that are successful in performing, teaching and the music industry. He is the co-director of the Summer Drum Set Workshops, the author of the textbook, The Complete Percussionist, the DVD entitled Snare Drum Basics, presents clinics and seminars worldwide and is a past-president of the Percussive Arts Society, the international society for drummers and percussionists.

The recipient of numerous honors and awards, Breithaupt has been awarded Bowling Green State University’s Outstanding Graduate Award, was named as a fellow in the Jefferson Academy for Leadership and Governance, was a participant in the prestigious Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders in the Arts, a joint program of National Arts Strategies and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and was the founding chair of the Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium.

Jim Widner

An alumnus of the Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Glenn Miller big bands, Jim Widner is celebrating his "20th" year of hosting summer camps all across the United States. As a bassist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Jim was strongly influenced and motivated by Kenton’s dedication to young student musicians. He was a faculty member of the Kenton camps for 10 years and helped Stan organize and expand his camps from California to other locations across the United States.

A graduate of the University of Missouri, Jim also holds an MA degree from Memphis State University and has done postgraduate work at the University of North Texas. Jim has performed at the world famous Lionel Hampton and Montreaux Jazz Festivals. His performance background includes concert dates with Clark Terry, Buddy DeFranco, Mulgrew Miller, Louis Bellson, Randy Brecker, Bill Watrous, Marilyn Maye, and an appearance before former President Bill Clinton. Jim also serves as guest conductor for numerous All-State Jazz Bands. In 1999, students at the University of Missouri-Columbia, renamed the music wing of the fine arts residential college, "Widner House," in honor of him. In April of 2006, Jim was inducted into The Statesmen of Jazz.

Currently Jim is Artist in Residence/Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri - St. Louis and is a Yamaha performing artist. His jazz camps are spearheaded by members of the Jim Widner Big Band which records on the Chase Music Group Label. Their critically acclaimed CD’s include "Yesterdays and Today," "Body and Soul," "Live," and "Flying High". Their newest CD "OUT OF THIS WORLD" will be released in the Spring of 2007.

Executive Committee