Upcoming Residencies

If you scroll below for previous postings you will ready about Nicolas Duchamp, the Principal Flute of the Paris Opera, his visit to the Fine Arts Center, and the work he will do with FAC's Winds & Brass Chamber Music Students in October. There will be more guests artists working with these students in the second semester. In the mean time, FAC percussion players can look forward to two wonderful residencies dealing with concert and jazz drumming. For information, read on:

Residency topic: Concert Percussion
Artist: Courtney McDonald
Residency activities: Courtney will coach Percussion I and II classes on snare drum techniques and the Advanced Percussion Class on marimba techniques and repertoire. Additionally, she will coach percussion intern David Katilius on college audition materials and me on marimba pedagogy.
Residency dates: November 28-30, 2007

Artist bio: Courtney McDonald graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in percussion performance from Boston University. She currently serves on the faculty of Reinhardt College in Waleska, Georgia. She is also the principal percussionist with the Greenville (SC) Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus (GA) Orchestra. She performs regularly with the Alabama Symphony and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as well as the Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet. Courtney is a founding member of Chix with Stix-an all female group dedicated to innovative chamber music.


Residency topic: Jazz Drumming
Artist: Thomas Taylor
Residency activities: Thomas will coach Percussion I and Percussion II students on jazz drum set coordination and style, and will serve as a clinician with FAC's jazz guitar classes
Residency dates: December 10-12, 2007

Artist bio: Thomas has been a guest at the Fine Arts Center each year since 2005, and in each visit, leaves an "enormous footprint." One of most exciting guest artists, Thomas is on the faculties of UNC-Greensboro, UNC Central, and the famed Jamie Abersold Summer Jazz Workshop. Before graduating from UNC-Greensboro in 1991, Thomas Taylor started "In the Black" a Jazz quartet with a talented young bassist, John Brown. Together, they have played jazz across the United States and Japan. From that musical collaboration, Thomas' drumming and composing abilities began to grow. Currently, Thomas is one of the most in-demand Jazz drummers in the southeast. For much more visit Thomas Taylor's website.