Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ PIANO, JAZZ COMBOS, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Professor Wade Beach is widely respected for his harmonic sophistication and superb technique, which knows no stylistic limitations. He holds a master’s degree in piano performance from the University of Maryland.
Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ TRUMPET, Braddock Road Brass Band, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Jazz Times magazine writes: "Breedlove has chops...and is the leader of a tight, forceful band". AllAboutJazz.com has called Graham Breedlove "A trumpet player with an exquisite tone and provocative harmonic ideas...Breedlove exhibits great control and cranks out some head-turning melodic ideas". The International Trumpet Guild's Journal raves, "...one of the most exciting trumpet players on the planet!" Also active as a composer, Graham’s work has been featured on NBC’s Today show, Food Network’s Emeril Live, ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos and the Washington Post has called it “...terrific...with luminous, fine-grained autumnal harmonies...”.
Professor of JAZZ STUDIES and Director of the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Mason Jazz Ensemble, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Professor Jim Carroll has a versatile background ranging from tours with Michael Jackson to Woody Herman and The Thundering Herd. Jim received both his Undergraduate and Graduate training from Indiana University under the tutelage of David Baker and Eugene Rousseau.
Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ TROMBONE, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Aaron Eckert, originally from Belleville, IL, is a trombonist with the U.S. Army Blues, the premier jazz ensemble of the Army.
Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies, SAXOPHONE, Jazz Workshop, Jazz Studies, Jazz History, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Saxophonist, composer, and educator John Kocur is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at George Mason University where he directs the Jazz Workshop and teaches jazz history and improvisation. He previously taught at Northern Virginia Community College. He serves as saxophonist with the 257th Army Band of the D.C. National Guard, “the Band of the Nation’s Capital.”
Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Acclaimed jazz drummer and musicologist Kevin C. McDonald is Adjunct Professor of Applied Jazz Percussion at George Mason University and drummer for the U.S. Navy Band Commodores, the Navy's premier jazz ensemble. From venues including Kennedy Center and Jazz at Lincoln Center to The White House, he has shared the concert stage with Dave Liebman, Mark Turner, Paquito D’Rivera, Miguel Zenon, Maria Schneider, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Lee Konitz, and the New York City Ballet.
Adjunct Faculty, Director, Latin American Ensemble, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Juan Megna is a drummer/percussionist from Argentina who has lived for 12 years in Brazil where, in 2008, got his degree in Brazilian Popular Music at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP, Campinas, SP).
Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ SAXOPHONE, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Originally from Miami, Florida, Professor Perez has performed in 13 countries and 48 states with a wide range of artists in the jazz and Latin music worlds. As the sole U.S. representative, he placed 2nd in the Montreux Jazz Festival international saxophone competition, which featured hundreds of applicants from over 20 countries.
Adjunct Faculty, STEEL PAN, Steel Pan Ensemble, Improvisation I and II, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Victor Provost’s performances transcend the expectations of instrument and genre. With appearances at major venues throughout the world (including Shanghai Concert Hall, Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater, the Umbria Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center) he has been meticulously solidifying his reputation as a master of the Steel Pan and crafting an improvisational voice and style to be reckoned with.
Director of JAZZ STUDIES, JAZZ VOICE, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Origin Records recording artist, Darden Purcell is a Washington DC based featured soloist with symphony orchestras, big bands and small ensembles and jazz educator. Ms. Purcell has shared the stage with top jazz artists including Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Branford Marsalis, Terell Stafford, Joe Locke, Walt Weiskopf, Eric Alexander, Eddie Daniels, Alan Baylock, Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, US Navy Band Commodores, Airmen of Note, US Army Blues, American Festival Pops Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, performing nationally and internationally, including Blues Alley, Club Bonafide (NYC), The Jazz Kitchen, Blue Wisp, Bop Stop, Chris’s Jazz Café, Blue Jazz+, Con Alma, JazzB (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Aalt Stadhaus (Luxembourg), Wolf Trap and The Kennedy Center (back-up vocals for Mr. George Benson, Caroline Shaw, Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles). Dr. Purcell is the Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice Instructor and Director of the Downbeat Award-winning, Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble at George Mason University.
