| Instrumental Music
Instructor Biographies
Full-Time Faculty — see
Adjunct Faculty
GUNNAR EISEL
Born and reared near Heidelberg, Germany, Gunnar Eisel has
taught and developed programs at California State University,
Los Angeles, Whittier College, Fullerton College, and the
Los Angeles High School of the Arts. Mr. Eisel holds a Bachelor
of Music degree in Composition from Cal State University,
Long Beach and a Master’s degree in Music History from
Cal State University, Fullerton.
As a full-time faculty member at Citrus College since 1989,
Professor Eisel has taught music history, electronic music,
guitar, and music theory classes. Mr. Eisel was instrumental
in the development of the Citrus Audio and Video Recording
Arts Center.
A well-respected teacher, Mr. Eisel's students include Rusty
Anderson (lead guitarist for Paul McCartney Band) and Mike
Simpson (producer, Beastie Boys and Beck). As chairman of
the Guitar program at Cal State University, Los Angeles for
27 years, Eisel guided many guitar majors to successful careers.
For 16 years, Mr. Eisel served as Executive Director of Guitar
Foundation of America, the largest guitar organization in
America. He is listed in Who's Who in Entertainment
and Who's Who in the West. |

| ALEX GALVIN
Proficient on piano/midi keyboards, mallet instruments (6
mallets) and bass, Mr. Galvan has been a featured performer
in a variety of venues including film composition (Kingsley’s
Meadow, aired on Pax nationwide, The Pope’s North American
Tour and others), on stage (musical director and actor: Patsy
Cline review: A Closer Walk) and as a jazz soloist playing
piano and vibes simultaneously for the Bob Newhart stage show
accompanied by a big band, and on recordings including Royale
Crown Revue and the Guy Lombardo Band. Mr. Galvan has recently
produced a training video for the U.S. Government on the Air
Curtain Burner, a large scale high efficiency burner for environmentally
friendly disposal of forest products. His work included scripting,
camera, non-linear editing, voice over and music composition.
Mr. Galvan’s voice has been heard over KCIV 99.9 FM
advertising the facilities of an organization camp in a radio
commercial produced in his home studio.
In collaboration with a colleague from the philosophy department,
Mr. Galvan has completed a musical on the politic scene of
America which includes composition, arranging, orchestration
and recording. Prior to his employment at Citrus College,
Mr. Galvan was an Assistant Professor of Music at Cal Poly
Pomona. |

BILL
HOEHNE
Bill Hoehne is the Director of Chamber Winds and Percussion
at Citrus College. He is an accomplished musician with
over 27 years experience as a professional woodwinds performer
and 25 years as a music educator. Mr. Hoehne earned
a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of
North Texas, a Master of Music degree from the University
of Miami at Coral Gables, and is pursuing a Doctor of Musical
Arts degree at the University of Southern California.
He has performed extensively in numerous recording studios
in the Miami and Southern California areas, and has performed
with leading artists, including the Ralph Carmichael Orchestra,
Sammy Davis Jr., Andy Williams, the Temptations, Joan Rivers,
the Modernaires, and many others. Mr. Hoehne is certified
as a Master Adjudicator for the concert, street and field
events of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra
Association. During his term as Vice-President of Field
Adjudication, Mr. Hoehne initiated the evolution of the SCSBOA
Field Adjudication System, and implemented the first Field
Adjudicator Evaluation System. In 1996, 1998 and 2000,
he toured Europe as featured soloist and member of the instruction/conducting
staff with the Southern California Ambassadors of Music.
Mr. Hoehne was the conductor of the 1995 and 2003 SCSBOA All-Southern
Middle School Honor Bands, and is honored to be continuously
called upon to work as an adjudicator, guest conductor and
clinician for distinguished school wind band programs and
honor groups in the Western United States. |

BRUCE LANGFORD
Bruce Langford holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from California
Institute of the Arts (the Walt Disney arts conservatory in
Los Angeles) and a Master of Music Degree from the Southwestern
School of Music in Fort Worth, Texas.
Professor Langford joined the Citrus College staff in 1992
as an adjunct faculty member. He was hired full time in 1997.
His current areas of instruction are Music Appreciation and
Music History. In addition, he is the Faculty Coordinator
for the Citrus College Distance Education Program.
Having taught on the college level for 30 years, Mr. Langford
has also been active as a performer and conductor. He worked
for several years at KUSC Radio and still does live broadcasts
for KMZT Radio in Los Angeles. He has worked with vocal and
instrumental ensembles throughout the United States, Europe,
and Australia and has performed principle roles in over fifty
productions. In addition he is a guest lecturer for several
arts organizations around southern California and has hosted
the Three Tenors Concert from Rome for KCET Television.
Mr. Langford has also published numerous articles on music,
literature, and the arts. |

ROBERT SLACK
Robert Slack received a Master of Trumpet Degree from Indiana
University, and since then, has grown to be a respected professional
in the music industry.
Mr. Slack shares with his students and faculty impressive
personal and professional experience. After several
years touring professionally with Paul Anka and Buddy Rich,
Mr. Slack has also performed with Celine Dion, Ella Fitzgerald,
Whitney Houston and Trisha Yearwood, among others.
Mr. Slack’s talents have extended into numerous recording
sessions for Mattel, Toyota, Diet Coke, Pillsbury, Ford Motor,
Taco Bell, Tristar Pictures, Disneyland, NBC News and CNN.
Film credits include Disney’s D3: The Mighty Ducks,
Casper, Dillinger and Capone, Desert
Storm for HBO and most recently the hit movie, That
Thing You Do! Mr. Slack also performed for former
President Ronald Reagan in Phil Donahue’s 25th Anniversary
Special.
Among his honors, Mr. Slack received the coveted Jazz Educator
of the Year Award from the International Jazz Educator’s
Association.
A major driving force behind the visionary conception and
planning of the innovative Entertainment Technology Complex,
Mr. Slack continues to guide and develop the exemplary instrumental
music program into a creative and professional training vehicle
for the students of Citrus College.
Few community colleges can boast of the professional experience
and assiduous commitment Mr. Slack has brought to the music
students of Citrus College. |
Adjunct Faculty
DAVID BEATTY
Bachelor of Music, Cal State Northridge, David has been active
on the Los Angeles studio music scene since 1978. He has been
a member of the Bill Watrous Refuge West Big Band and is currently
performing with the Ralph Carmichael Orchestra. Among many
recording credits are jingles for Mercedes Benz, Budweiser,
Carnival Cruises and NBC News as well as motion pictures such
as A Minor Miracle, Newsies, Hocus Pocus and Heavyweights.
Additionally, he has numerous recording credits for almost
every major gospel artist and has participated in live recordings
for The Integrity Music Label in Israel and South Africa.
He is the founder of “Slideworks”, a professional
trombone quartet and also maintains a vigorous teaching schedule
at a number of Southern California colleges and universities. |

STEVE COTTER
Bachelor and Master of Music from the University of North
Texas, Steve directed a big and taught guitar classes while
attaining his Master degree in Music. He has had the opportunity
to work with Marc Johnson, Buster Williams, Randy Brecker,
Bobby Shew, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Pike, Sandra Booker, James
Mahone, Willie Jones III, Duffy Jackson, Roy McCurdy, Bobby
Caldwell and many others. Steve joined the Citrus College
faculty in the Fall of 1997. He teaches Applied Music, Guitar
and Jazz Combo. |

ANDREW FORD
Bass player composer Andrew Ford has played bass with Chaka
Khan, James Ingram, Whitney Houston, David Crosby, Graham
Nash, Phil Perry, Robben Ford, Dianne Reeves, Kirk Whalum,
Boney James, Norman Brown, Oleta Adams, Michael McDonald,
Christopher Cross, Gladys Knight, The Emotions, Patti Austin,
Randy Crawford, George Duke, Larsen-Feiten Band, and many
others. He has played for such dynamic ministries as Lakewood
Church in Houston, and Joyce Meyer. Andrew has a song on the
Al Jarreau record “Tomorrow Today” and has numerous
tv show writing credits. He has also taught at BIT and his
alma mater the University of La Verne. Andrew plays and endorses
Yamaha basses, Fender basses, M- Audio products and Elixir
Strings. |

THOMAS HYNES
Master of Music, Cal State Los Angeles. Tom is an active
guitarist, jazz artist, educator and clinician in the Southern
California area. His debut album, “The Sun Shop”
(Chase Music Group), features his original contemporary jazz
compositions and includes guest appearances by John Patitucci
and Eric Marinthal. His professional credits range from appearances
with Bob Hope to the Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra and
the films Bright Angel and Rapid Fire. Tom recently completed
Siete, a new composition commissioned by Citrus, which was
featured on the Jazz Band’s newest recording, “Take
A Number.” Hynes’ original large jazz ensemble
compositions are available from UNC Jazz Press. In 1996, Tom
toured the Middle East and Northeast Africa as a United States
Information Agency “Jazz Ambassador”. |

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Selected Recordings:
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WILLIAM KERR
Billy Kerr, a versatile musician, is an accomplished
jazz artist, composer, arranger and clinician. Brooklyn
born and raised on Long Island, he completed his studies at
the Juilliard School of Music and Queens College receiving
a BA in music. His major studies were with Augustin
Duques (clarinet), Joseph Allard (clarinet and saxophone)
and Thomas Nyfenger (flute). His studies in composition
and arranging began at Queens College with John Carisi and
continued over the years with Don Sebesky, Manny Album, Jim
McNeely, Roger Kellaway, and Vince Mendoza.
After a four-year hitch in the Air Force Band, Billy established
a busy career recording for television, films and commercials
and gained extensive experience in the Broadway musical theatre.
Billy has performed with a variety of artists covering every
musical style. Most notably, they include Liza Minnelli,
Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole,
Ray Charles, Peter Allen, Henry Mancini, Julie Andrews, Sammy
Davis Jr., and Mel Torme. He has also performed with
jazz artists such as Phil Woods, Bob Mintzer, the Toshiko
Akiyoshi Big Band and The National Jazz Ensemble. Performances
with the St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble and the Brooklyn
Philharmonic under distinguished conductors like Gunther Schuller
and Lukas Foss show yet another facet of his abilities.
As tenor saxophonist with the New York Saxophone Quartet,
Billy has performed in Europe, Japan, Canada and throughout
the United States. In addition to concert performances,
the Quartet has appeared on the “Tonight Show”
and participated in many teaching clinics. The group
has recorded several albums, all of which spotlight Billy’s
skills as a soloist and writer.
As a composer and arranger, Billy has written for every type
of ensemble from duets to big band. For four years he
was a member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, which concentrated
primarily on the art of composing for big band. His
original saxophone quartet “Send In the New Boy”
was premiered at the Tenth World Saxophone Congress in Italy
in 1992. This piece and several other quartet and octet
arrangements written by Billy are published with UNC Jazz
Press. His saxophone duet “Conversation for Two
Baritones” is published by Opus 102 Music Publishers
in Montreal .
In 1995 Billy moved to Montreal, Canada where he continued
to work in the theatre, record for the National Film Board
and CBC, as well as lead his own jazz quintet. He performed
with Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, playing
clarinet and a variety of saxophone solos. Billy was
the soprano saxophonist in the “Phenix” saxophone
quartet, which included his wife baritone saxophonist Nancy
Newman.
Since 2000 Billy has resided in Los Angeles, where he received
his Masters degree at the University of Southern California.
He remains active in L.A. appearing in concerts and recordings
with the likes of Bill Holman, Lennie Niehaus. Clare Fischer,
and Kurt Elling. Billy plays regularly in bands led
by Buddy Childers, Bob Florence, Steve Huffsteter, Kim Richmond,
Bruce Eskovitz(BEJO), and singer, Cathy Segal-Garcia. In 2005,
Billy was a featured soloist at Fesival Jazz en Lima, Peru.
While there, he played lead alto with Maria Schneider as well
as led his own quartet in a series of concerts. In
addition to his busy performing schedule, Billy writes CD
reviews for “Saxophone Journal” and is on the
faculty of Citrus College and the College of the Canyons.
Billy can be heard on his CD “The Eagle has Landed….eh?”,
on the Productions Bilanci label, and as a soloist on “Alternate
Routes” with the New York Neophonic Orchestra, on the
Tantara label. He may also be heard as a soloist and
arranger on “The New York Saxophone Quartet”,
on the Stash label, “Free Trade” with the Gerald
Danovitch Saxophone Quartet, on the CBC Jazzimage label, and
“Kentucky Roastup” with The Osland Saxophone Quartet
on the Sea Breeze label.
Billy is a performing artist for Buffet clarinets, and Vandoren
reeds. |
BOB McCHESNEY
Conn-Selmer Artist Bob McChesney is thrilled to have been
able to work with the legendary composer and entertainer Steve
Allen before his untimely death in 1999. The two collaborated
on a CD from Allen’s prolific songbook which resulted
in the highly acclaimed No Laughing Matter – The Bob
McChesney Quartet plays Steve Allen. About the CD, virtuoso
jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels says, " . . . probably
the best jazz trombone playing I've heard to date." Composer
Lalo Schifrin says, "Bob McChesney is a virtuoso and
he has the gift to bring us the joy of music at the highest
level" and jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard says, "The
most incredible trombone playing I've heard in a long, long
time."
McChesney is well known for his emotional delivery and fast
technique and has been featured in many big bands and on many
CDs. A prominent fixture in the studios of Los Angeles, Bob
can be heard on various television shows such as The Simpsons
and The King of the Hill, Looney Tunes cartoons, and on motion
picture scores such as Rush Hour 2, Bringing Down the House,
Soldier and The Siege. Bob was a featured soloist at the 2001
International Trombone Festival in Nashville, Tennessee. Around
L.A. he performs live with The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The
Bob Florence Limited Edition Big Band and with his own jazz
quartet.
In addition to his work as an artist and studio musician,
McChesney has authored the trombone method on doodle tonguing
entitled Doodle Studies and Etudes (Chesapeake Music). Critically
acclaimed and endorsed by the great trombonists Carl Fontana,
Bill Watrous and Joseph Alessi, McChesney's method is an in-
depth analysis of the fast-legato multiple tongue technique.
Respected as one of the foremost authorities on doodle tonguing,
McChesney has contributed to the International Trombone Association
Journal about his method.
McChesney's extensive audio engineering and MIDI programming
experience has earned him album credits on Patti Austin's
Carry On, Handel's Messiah - A Soulful Celebration, Vona Shepard's
The Radical Light and the double platinum The Songs of West
Side Story with Michael McDonald, James Ingram and Kenny Loggins.
He has also produced CDs for several artists.
A passionate performer and enthusiastic teacher, Bob is
in demand as a clinician and guest soloist at schools and
universities worldwide. He gives masterclasses on trombone
technique, jazz improvisation and doodle tonguing.
See Bob McChesney's website
for more information and complete discography.
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MICHAEL PACKER
Michael Packer graduated from the University of Northern
Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Michael has studied
privately with Ralph Humphrey and Jeff Hamilton. Performance
credits include Free Flight, Nils Lofgren, Carl Anderson,
Ben Vereen, Steve Allen, Michael Bolton (CableAce Awards)
and Cirque Du Soleil (CableAce Awards). Television credits
include 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th Annual CableAce Awards (TNT),
The EasterSeal Telethon (National Broadcast), KTLA Morning
Show with Leeanza Cornet, World Cup Closing Ceremonies (World
Wide Broadcast) and the New York New York Casino & Hotel,
Las Vegas, NV. (In-house recording). His teaching experience
consists of 15 years of private instruction and several clinics
in the USA and Europe. Michael is the author of "Feet
Don't Fail Me Now" (Hal Leonard Publications) and "Feet
First" (Michael Packer Publications). Michael has also
written for Modern Drummer Magazine. Please visit www.michaelpacker.com
for more info. |

PAUL SCHURICHT
California community college teaching credential (1963),
California Administrative Credential, Student teaching done
at Citrus College. Teaching at Citrus College since
1970.
Taught several years at CSULA
B.A. and M.A. from CSULA
Doctoral work at USC |

Jenni Olson Scott
Jenni Olson Scott is an active orchestral and chamber music
performer in the Los Angeles area. She performs regularly
with the chamber group Orion Winds which she co-founded and
has played with various orchestras such as Santa Monica Symphony,
Redlands Symphony and the Pacific Symphony. She is currently
principal flute with the Stockton Symphony and second flute
with the Long Beach Symphony. Performers she has worked with
include John Williams, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Dianne
Reeves, Jerry Goldsmith, Terence Blanchard, Kelsey Grammer,
John Lithgow, Quincy Jones, and Herbie Hancock. Jenni also
teaches flute at Citrus College and Music Appreciation at
Pasadena City College. She is also an accomplished soloist,
and has performed concertos with the California State University
Stanislaus Symphony, the Modesto State Theater Orchestra,
the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, The University of Southern
California Wind Ensemble, and the Westchester Symphony. |

BOBBY SEXTON
Mr. Sexton began studying music when he was eight years old.
He spent three years as a classical piano major at the University
of Iowa before relocating to Los Angeles. He was a signed
recording artist with GNP Crescendo Records where he was the
composer, lead vocalist, pianist and synthesist producing
the CD ‘Facing Destiny. He completed four successful
United States tours before returning to school to finish his
studies (degrees) and become a music educator.
Mr. Sexton received an Associate in Arts degree (Music) at
L.A.C.C. in 1992, a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degree
(Piano) at U.S.C. in 1996, a California Single Subject Teaching
Credential (Music) at CSULA in 2005, and is currently finishing
a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies degree (Piano) at U.S.C.
He also passed the California CBEST exam in 1997, and the
California CSET Single Subject (Music) exam in 2005. Mr. Sexton
has taught classical, jazz, and popular piano styles at Pasadena
City College, and has worked at Santa Monica College, California
State University at Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County
High School for the Performing Arts. He has been on the Adjunct
Faculty at Citrus College as an Applied Music Instructor (Piano)
since 2001, and is completing his latest jazz CD while performing
at Los Angeles finest jazz clubs. |

JOHN STEINMETZ
John Steinmetz, bassoonist, composer, and writer, is the
principal bassoonist for Los Angeles Opera and the Los Angeles
Master Chorale, and a member of the chamber groups XTET and
Camerata Pacifica.
Recent compositions include a Concerto for
bassoon and orchestra, commissioned and premiered by the Los
Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Keene (NH) Chamber Orchestra,
and the Santa Rosa Symphony. His One and Many joined
the Apple Hill Chamber Players with children and guest instrumentalists
for performances in Harlem, Providence, Boston, Keene, Los
Angeles, London, and on the Chamber Players' annual "Playing
for Peace" tour of Middle East countries. Simple
Pleasures celebrated the 40th anniversary of the
South Bay Chamber Series. War Scrap and
Mixed Blessings were commissioned by the innovative
Los Angeles series Pacific Serenades. His compositions have
been released on CDs from Albany, Helicon, and Crystal records.
John helped to design new concert formats for the Los Angeles
Chamber Orchestra, XTET, the Oregon Bach Festival, and Pacific
Classical Winds. As an education consultant to computer
and record companies, he has written about old and new technologies
for learning and expression. "Change and Creativity,"
co-authored with fellow researchers at Apple Computer's Learning
Concepts Group, considers a new approach to learning. His
article "Resuscitating Art Music" has been widely
reprinted. Naxos Records published his booklet "How to
Enjoy a Live Concert."
John has been a keynote speaker at the National Conference
on Piano Pedagogy and the annual conference of Americans for
the Arts, and a featured speaker for Chamber Music America.
His University of Oklahoma residency was titled "Enlivening
Live Music," and at Miami University of Ohio he spoke
on "Music and Peacemaking." As artist-in-residence
at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, he helped to explore
and expand the organization's potential. He has facilitated
several annual conferences for the Network of Music Career
Officers.
John lives in Altadena, California, with his violist wife,
Kazi Pitelka, and their two children. More information, articles,
and essays are available on his web site, http://www.johnsteinmetzmusic.com. |

MICHAEL SUSHEL
Michael Sushel is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music
in New York City and has earned a reputation as an extremely
versatile musician, having played and recorded with almost
every conceivable type of musical ensemble from classical,
jazz, and rock groups to film and records. He has performed
in concert with singer B.J. Ward at Carnegie Hall in New York,
played for film and TV shows such as the Emmy Awards, appeared
in concert with rock groups such as Ambrosia, and recorded
for artists as diverse as R&B singer Rick James and composer
Daniel Lentz, the latter with whom he toured Japan in 1991.
In the spring of 2003, he traveled to China to meet with piano
faculty and teach young pianists at the Beijing and Shanghai
Conservatories. In addition to his performing engagements
and private teaching, Michael is currently Professor of Piano
at Citrus College.
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LYNN VARTAN
Percussionist Lynn Vartan is an active performer and educator
who is an advocate for diversity in music. As a new music
percussionist Lynn has worked with Michael Colgrass, Donald
Crockett, Vinny Golia, Arthur Jarvinen, Ursula Oppens, Joan
Tower, Glen Velez, Xtet, the Hilliard Ensemble, Tambuco, and
Grammy Award-winning Southwest Chamber Music, and is known
for her dynamic athleticism and exciting energy on stage.
She has commissioned and/or performed new music for percussion
by composers such as Donald Crockett, Steve Hoey, Veronika
Krausas, Erica Muhl, Arthur Jarvinen, Jeff Holmes and Shaun
Naidoo. As a soloist, Lynn has been featured on the Los Angeles
Philharmonic Green Umbrella Series, the Different Trains Series,
at Montana State University, Cornell University and with the
USC Contemporary and Percussion Ensembles. As a recording
artist, Lynn has appeared on the ECM New Series for Stephen
Hartke's Tituli, on the Cambria label with Southwest Chamber
Music, and is featured as a soloist on an album of music by
Erica Muhl on Albany records. Lynn is currently producing
an album of Armenian music for marimba for release later this
year.
A devoted ensemble musician, Lynn is the Director and percussionist
for the Los Angeles-based Ensemble Green, and also performs
regularly with 61/4, the violin/percussion duo she
began with Shalini Vijayan. She received her Master's and
Doctorate degrees with special honors and recognition from
the University of Southern California. Lynn is currently the
head of Percussion at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music and
at Citrus College, as well as the percussionist for Southwest
Chamber Music. Lynn is endorsed by the Paiste Corporation,
Remo Inc., Innovative Percussion and Marimba One. |

ALAN WADDINGTON
Alan Waddington has performed in many varied settings. He
has played percussion or produced music from punk rock to
classical and about anything between those categories.
Alan got his “first break” in the US with the
rock band “The Unforgiven” which was the subject
of a record setting bidding war in the music industry. This
led to appearances on MTV, radio airplay, and major touring.
This also led to his involvement with Bon Jovi, Vince Neal,
Joe Walsh, and Willie Nelson.
In 1995 Alan was on tour in Seoul with the musical “A
Chorus Line”. This led to his ongoing association and
friendship with Mr. Ha and “The Seoul Pops Orchestra”.
This is also where he met his beautiful wife Seung Ah. Recently
he drummed with Gwen Stefani on the song “Rich Girl”
on “The Grammies” world wide television production.
He is also responsible for the drum line that performs with
Gwen on her number 1 song “Hollaback Girl”. Alan
is active with placement of students professionally and academically
during and after their tenure at Citrus College.
He has helped develop the music program at Citrus College
since 1987 primarily with the award winning jazz, pop and
rock groups |
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