Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES • SUMMER 2017 • sai-national.org 30 He was recognized in Downbeat magazine ten different times and has won many awards from it. He is in high demand as a director and clinician for festivals and jazz events. A pianist, he holds a Masters in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado and a DMA degree in Jazz Piano Pedagogy from the University of Colorado. He has been commissioned to arrange for multiple bands and orchestras, such as the Glenn Miller orchestra, the Denver Brass, and many more. Dr. Susan Olson Mezzo-soprano Susan Olson was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Theta Gamma Chapter at the University of Texas at San Antonio in April. She has performed as a soloist with the San Antonio (TX) Symphony Orchestra, Monroe (LA) Symphony Orchestra, the Westerville (OH) Symphony Orchestra, and the Zanesville (OH) Civic Orchestra. Dr. Olson has had the opportunity to perform and record under the baton of many well-known conductors, most notably the late Robert Shaw – with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and at Carnegie Hall and in the south central region of France, as a member of the Robert Shaw Festival Singers. Dr. Olson has performed with San Antonio Opera as the Mistress of the Novices in Puccini's Suor Angelica, Louisiana Lyric Opera as Ruth in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance and Opera/Columbus' Education Outreach Program as The Narrator in Mark Bucci's Sweet Betsy from Pike. Some other operatic roles performed include la zia principessa in Puccini's Suor Angelica, Madame Flora in Menotti's The Medium, The Old Lady in Bernstein's Candide, Cecilia March in Adamo's Little Women, Isabella in Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri, and Mrs. Anderssen in Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Dr. Judy Palac Dr. Judy Palac was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Alpha Lambda Chapter at Michigan State University (MSU) in March. Palac is an instructor of violin at the Michigan State University Community Music School (CMS); she is also an associate professor of music education at the MSU College of Music. Dr. Palac received her Bachelors and Masters of Music from the University of Michigan and later received her Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Texas. She is the founding director of the CMS Suzuki program and now serves as its director emeritus. She also directs the Musician's Wellness Team at the College of Music as well as CMS. Previously, Dr. Palac has worked as the director of the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh Suzuki Talent Education Program and the assistant director of the Texas String Project. She has also performed with the Collegium String Quartet, and currently plays with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. She was the president of the Michigan chapter of the American String Teachers Association, and was named Michigan String Teacher of the Year in 2003. Dr. Palac has also written articles on string teacher education, Suzuki method, and performing arts medicine that have been published in journals such as the American String Teacher, Medical Problems of Performing Artists, Bulletin for the Council for Research in Music Education, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. Jennifer Piazza-Pick Jennifer Piazza-Pick was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Mu Beta Chapter at Virginia State University in May. Piazza-Pick is a graduate of Ithaca College, with a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance and Music Education, and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati – Conservatory of Music, with a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance. She was most recently a professor of voice at Virginia State University, teaching classes such as Opera Workshop and Voice Class. She also has her own voice studio within the Music Department, which has produced multiple NATS contestants. During her time at Virginia State University, she created an ensembles concert for small instrumental ensembles and opera workshop scenes; created, organized, and performed a lecture-recital using funds from a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts; led a workshop for choral students on basic vocal technique during Explosion Day, the recruiting day for the music department; coordinated transportation and tickets for students to attend a master class and concert by Lawrence Brownlee at the University of Richmond; prepared students for the Virginia NATS competition; coordinated the VSU participation in the national event America Sings Together for Martin Luther King Day; and coordinated a departmental Yoga for Musicians workshop. Before arriving at Virginia State University, Mrs. Piazza- Pick taught in numerous parts of the United States in various levels of education, including elementary, secondary, and collegiate, while also maintaining a private voice studio since 2011. In addition to her extensive teaching resume, Mrs. Piazza-Pick has performed in Operas in the United States and in Germany, traveled with the U.S. Army Europe Band as a featured soloist, and participated in numerous recitals and professional choral concerts. Craig Potter Craig Potter was initiated as a Friend of the Arts in February by the Gamma Epsilon Chapter at the University of Maryland, where Potter is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Kentucky and his Master's Degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Louisville. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Tuba Performance. Some of Mr. Potter's accomplishments include soloing twice with the University of Maryland Wind Orchestra and appearing as a soloist and clinician across the United States. He has also performed at music conventions and festivals around the world, including the United States Army Tuba-Euphonium Workshop and Jungfrau Music Festival. Mr. Potter is a member of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) and the International Tuba- Euphonium Association. He is an alumnus of both Phi Mu Alpha and Kappa Kappa Psi, and he is an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma. Dr. Kathy Kessler Price Dr. Kathy Kessler Price was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Lambda Tau Chapter at Westminster Choir College at Rider DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS Nevala Olson Palac Piazza-Pick Potter

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