Spokane All-City Jazz Ensembles
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Mission Statement

We are a non-profit organization created to provide additional opportunities in a creative experience for middle school and high school instrumental students through jazz. The musical and leadership skills gained can be shared with the students' school music programs.

Through ensembles, classes, private instruction, guest artists, master classes, and performances, students in the All-City Jazz Program have many opportunities to grow and learn.

Instructors and Staff

Rob Tapper: A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Rob has attended the Eastman School of Music (M.M. in Jazz & Contemporary Media) and the University of New Hampshire (B.M. in Music Education). Rob is an active performer and teacher comfortable working in both classical and jazz venuesRob is currently Director of Jazz Activities and Trombone Instructor at Eastern Washington University.In the summertime Rob is co-founder and Director of the EWU Jazz Dialogue Summer Camps (MS & HS). For more info visit  Rob's EWU website 

Brian McCann: Brian works as an adjunct Jazz Bass Teacher at Eastern Washington University, Spokane Falls Community College, and Gonzaga University. He performs with The Bob Curnow Big Band and other local groups. He also is the Coordinator of the EWU Jazz Dialogue Festival and teaches at the EWU Summer Jazz Dialogue Camps. This is his sixth year working with the Spokane All-City Jazz Ensembles. Brian received his BA in Music and MM in Jazz Pedagogy at Eastern Washington University.

Don Goodwin:

Jessie Leek: Jessie is a recent graduate of Eastern Washington University with a BAE in K-12 Music Education. She has taught at the EWU Jazz Dialogue Summer Camps, teaches several private students, and often teaches for clinics and workshops in the Spokane area. Jessie currently plays saxophone with several bands, including the Bob Curnow Big Band and the Columbia Basin Jazz Orchestra. This will be Jessie's 4th year teaching for SAJE.

Kimberly McCann: With a recently earned B.A. in Arts Administration & Marketing (emphasis in Graphic Design) from Eastern Washington University, Kimberly is already establishing herself in the Spokane are as a sought after talent. She has held the Administrative Assistant position for SAJE for the past five years. She is a free-lance graphic artist and consultant for Sierra Music Publishing, Inc. the Bob Curnow Big Band, and Tatanka Demographics and Planning.

Board Members

Alan McCoy - President of the Board: Alan has been a self-employed piano technician since 1980, tuning, repairing and, more recently, rebuilding pianos. In 2002 he joined the EWU Music Dept as half-time piano technician. In his spare time he likes to do woodworking, birding, hiking, reading, gardening, and listening to great jazz and classical music.

Robin Amend:  Robin and his wife, Debbie, own a local music store, Amend Music Center. It has been open for 32 years. They are very supportive and influential in Spokane's Music community.
 
Brian Flick: Bassist extrordinaire Brian Flick is heard in many groups around town. His jazz selections air on KPBX and his playing is heard on the Cheryl Hodge CD "Live and Alive."

Patrick Shamblin:

Marie Firestone: 

Consultants
Terry Lack: Band Director at Mead High School
Kent Meredith: Band Director at Libby Center
 
Past Board Members
Therese Covert- Executive Director: Therese along side her husband, John Covert, has been involved with Spokane All-City Jazz Ensembles since the beginning. Their son, Matt, was involved in the program in high school. Recently our treasurer and secretary, Therese is now our new Executive Director.

Michelle Katz- President of the Board: Michelle has served faithfully on the board while her two sons have played in the Spokane All-City Jazz Ensemble program.

John Covert- Secretary and Treasurer: John has been involved with Spokane All-City Jazz Ensemble program since the beginning. His son was involved in the program in high school. 

Bryan Bogue: Bryan Bogue is the instrumental music teacher a Salk Middle School. He is also entering his 35th season as percussionist with the Spokane Symphony. He holds an M.A. in Music Education from U of W.