Janeta Jackson (BM in Vocal Performance, 2009)

Janeta Jackson won a highly competitive spot on the Dolphins Voices, an 8-part a cappella ensemble that performs at all the Dolphins home games, directed by Derric Johnson, the composer, arranger, director and producer of the Walt Disney Voices of Liberty. The judges for the finalists included Emilio Estefan. Click on http://cbs4.com/video to see the final audition and type in "Final Audition held for Dolphins A Capella group."

Student Comings and Goings

Congratulations to the following School of Music grads who will be continuting their graduate studies:

Tania Aleman, voice - University of Florida (masters)
Nicole Ferretti, voice & early music - Boston University (masters)
Ashley Hill, voice - Eastman School of Music (masters)
Erik DeLuca, music technology - University of Virginia (PhD)
Kristina Wolfe, music technology & composition - Princeton University (PhD)
Maria Paulina Garcia, piano - Manhattan School of Music (masters)

Aaron Margolis (BA in Music, 2009)

Click here for a story on Aaron Margolis (p.17)

Erik DeLuca (MM in Music Technology, 2009)

Read about Erick DeLuca's "The Deep Seascape" in the Fort Wayne Reader.

After a rigorous review board meeting, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs has granted the Florida International University Board of Trustees, for the benefit of the Music Technology Department in the School of Music, College of Architecture + The Arts, and the Physics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences, the requested amount of $7,000 to fund the Deep Sound Project.   

Funds were requested to support an audio-visual, surround sound performance installation that reenacts the sonic world of the oceans depths. An interdisciplinary group of collaborators from FIU will collect auditory material using scientific microphones called hydrophones.  These microphones which are meant for data collection, can capture crisp, sonic materiel at depths reaching up to 7,000 feet down in oceanic space. The material will be captured seven miles off  the coast of Miami on a boat periodically for one week.

The project is being directed by FIU graduate student Erik DeLuca in collaboration with FIU Physics professor Dr. James R. Webb. Erik DeLuca also teaches Sound Reinforcement while working as a Music Engineer for the School of Music at FIU.

Instead of using the aural material for scientific purposes, Dr. Webb and  Mr. DeLuca will use this source material to create a surreal recreation of the deep oceanic sound environment.

A performance is scheduled to take place at the Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center, Concert Hall on March 21, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. where a large audience will be able to experience what it's like, aurally, to be 200 feet down in oceanic space. The Deep Sound Project team will present an 8-channel, surround sound, audio-visual performance reenacting this amazing environment. The 8-channel speaker specialization system will act as a transportation device, acoustically, reconfiguring the concert hall and, representing the deep oceanic space as it is.

A recorded version of the composition will then be manufactured, duplicated and donated to local arts and science organizations accompanied by a lecture tour.  Lectures are scheduled at the end of March at FIU and iSAW, Interdisciplinary Sound Art Workshop. The post goal is to promote interdisciplinary creativity in the greater Miami-Dade area.

For further information please contact Erik DeLuca directly at 305-348-6261 or via email at erikdeluca@gmail.com.

Marco Pignataro (MM in Jazz Performance, 2002)

Marco Pignataro has been appointed Managing Director of the Global Jazz Institute at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. The Global Jazz Institute is a new Berklee project under the Artistic Direction of pianist master Danilo Perez whose educational purpose is to train gifted students in a creative and experience-based mentoring program.

Rhea Olivacce (BM in Voice Performance, 2005)

Rhea Olivacce just sang with the NY Pops Orchestra; here's the nice review.

She also is featured on some ads for Michigan Transit!

 

Michelle Gonzalez (MM in Voice Performance, 2008)

Michelle Gonzalez has settled into a very busy life in southern California.  Within her first five months there, she acquired a commercial agent, a voice-over agent, a TV/Film agent and, most importantly, her Sag-eligibility.  Her most significant “voice-over” work thusfar was for the national “Wii NINTENDO” commercials in Spanish.  She has also done commercials for “La Curacao” and “Old Navy.”  Michelle is also a very busy studio musician.  Her operatic (and violin) skills are appreciated and utilized by a wide variety of recording artists.  Michelle has not given up on her “classical” aspirations, but is following success wherever it leads.  She is also a voice (singing) instructor at the Theater of Arts Academy in Hollywood, one of the oldest actor training schools in the country.

David Mendoza (MM in Composition 2008)

Recent composition graduate David Mendoza performed his work "Drift" for viola and computer at the National Student Conference of the Society of Composers held at Ball State University October 10-11, 2008.

Ashley Mae Baker (MM in Jazz Performance 2009)

In 2008 jazz saxophone major Ashley Mae Baker was honored as a member of the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate All-Stars with a performance at the Kennedy Center. She also won the Outstanding Soloist award at the 2008 Monterey Jazz Next Generation Festival.

Please send alumni news to dolatad@fiu.edu