Welcome to My Neighborhood
Clinic Synopsis:
Hosted by Jose Antonio Diaz, this session is a panel discussion with some of the country's most innovative educators teaching on the grass roots levels in challenging situations and accomplishing amazing results. The panel will briefly discuss the demographics of the school, creative budgeting, and pivotal experiences that define their accomplishments with students.
Jose Diaz
- Biographical Information
José Antonio Diaz is artistic director for the Diaz Music Institute and in his 30th year as director of bands at MacArthur High School in Houston, Texas. His band has performed with such artists as Jon Faddis, Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez, Nestor Torres, and Arturo Sandoval to name just a few and performed for IAJE, JEN, TMEA, OMEA, MENC, and The Midwest Clinic. His success with the MacArthur High School Jazz Program was a featured cover story in School Band and Orchestra and Band Director’s Guide magazines. He is a published author, composer, and producer. Recently, Jose has received the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award and was inducted into Down Beat Magazine’s Jazz Education Hall of Fame. In addition, FOX 26 and Univision Television stations selected him as a Hispanic Hero. José was inducted into the Texas Christian University Band of Fame, and he has received the prestigious Jefferson Award for his work with Diaz Music Institute. He is a Midwest Clinic Board member and member of Jazz Education Network Board of Directors.
Raul Chavira, Jr. - Biographical Information
Raul Chavira Jr. is currently in his fifth year of teaching. He has been a director at Indian Ridge Middle School since 2010. He received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education at the University of Texas at El Paso in May 2010. He is currently working on his graduate degree and plans to earn his Master’s Degree in Music Education in May 2015. In October 2014, Chavira was selected to perform as principal flute/piccolo in Thimphu, Bhutan as a part of the world premiere of Opera Bhutan, were he collaborated with musicians from around the world to perform the first opera in the Kingdom of Bhutan. He also performed at the National Flute Association Convention with the Utep Flautistas! in Chicago in the summer of 2014. His bands have consistently earned Sweepstakes at concert and sight reading festivals. Chavira, along with co-director Nick Flood, had their Jazz Ensemble perform at the 5th Annual Jen Conference in 2014 in Dallas,TX.
Angela Addison Davis - Biographical Information
Angela Addison Davis is the director of bands at Beasley Academic Center in
Chicago, Illinois. Under her tutelage, the band has consistently received numerous awards, honors and accolades for superior performance. Her duties include instruction in music performance, theory, arranging and conducting. Davis holds a B.S. degree from the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff where she studied with Harold S. Strong. She credits her formative years to Herbert Yancey. Her professional affiliations include National Flute Society, Tau Beta Sigma,
Women Band Directors National Association, NAfME,
and Illinois Educator Association. She is active as a performer, advisor and flute
clinician.
Luis Piccinelli - Biographical Information
Mr. Luis Piccinelli is the Director of Instrumental Music at Coral Springs Middle School, a position he has held since 2007. Mr. Piccinelli’s responsibilities include conducting the Advanced Band, the Intermediate Band, Beginning Bands, the Marching Band, and two Jazz Ensembles. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Piccinelli also oversees and organizes a Winter Guard/Color Guard program that under his supervision has won numerous awards and championships. Also, under Mr. Piccinelli’s direction, the CSMS Orchestras and Bands have consistently received Superior ratings at the Florida Orchestra/Bandmasters district music performance assessments, and were recognized as a State program of excellence by being invited to perform at the 2014 State music convention in Tampa. Mr. Piccinelli was selected as the 2013 Teacher of the Year at CSMS, and in the same year the membership of the Florida Bandmaster’s Association voted him the winner of the prestigious 2013 Tom Bishop Award honoring him for building one of the finest programs in the State after taking over a program on the verge of being cancelled.
Mr. Piccinelli received a Bachelor’s Degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Miami (FL). He has performed as soloist with the University of Miami Wind Ensemble under the Direction of Gary Green, and in 2004 Mr. Piccinelli won a job for the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America. His professional affiliations include memberships with the Florida Bandmaster’s Association, Florida Music Educator’s Association, Broward County Band Director’s Association, International Clarinet Association, and the Florida Orchestra Association. Mr. Piccinelli also runs a summer music camp that annually serves about 200 students from the community, teaches private lessons, and implemented an innovative After School Elementary Beginning Band program that offers band instruction to under-privileged 3rd-5th graders.
In February of 2014 Mr. Piccinelli married his wife Angelica and they now reside in Coral Springs, Florida.
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