Other experience

Working as a musician often means piecing together several part-time jobs to make ends meet. Here is an overview of some of the more notable jobs I’ve held in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

San Francisco Bay Area
November 2008 – present

San Francisco Girls Chorus

Accompanist, Level I – East Bay

January 2009 – June 2010
  • Accompanied twice weekly classes for the San Francisco Girls Chorus as well as accompanying the singers for all performances.
  • Directed the classes when the Director was not available.

Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School

Music Director, School Musicals

January 2009 – July 2014
  • Musically directed Alameda high school students in presenting Broadway musicals including Fame!, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, Grease, and In the Heights.
  • Coached singers, arranged parts, and rehearsed and directed the pit orchestra from the piano.
  • Also directed presentations of The Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer for other groups in Alameda and San Francisco during this period.

First Unitarian Church of Oakland

Interim Music Director

November 2008 – May 2010

Music director at historically important Unitarian church in Oakland.

  • Rejuvenated the music program and choir after the fractious departure of the previous music director.
  • Oversaw the acquisition of a Hammond B-3 organ to add to the musical celebrations.
  • Created a new family-friendly dance event titled “U4iq” (Euphoric).

Los Angeles Area
October 2006 – October 2008

Rosales Organ Builders

Assistant

January 2007 – October 2008
  • Assisted Mr. Rosales in all aspects of organ maintenance, building, and repair.
  • Represented Rosales Organ Builders at American Guild of Organists convention and local events.
  • Led tours of Rosales organs for visiting VIPs.

Saint James in the City

Assistant Choirmaster

October 2006 – October 2008
  • Created a new liturgical experience titled Saturdays @ 6. Drawing on texts, music, and ritual action from the earliest recorded times to present, each event strived to connect the modern, urban reality with ancient spirituality. Compiled all program materials and led the events weekly.
  • Assisted the Choirmaster with monthly Evensong and Organ Concert series including publicity, hospitality, donor relations, and artist logistics.

Revolution Prep

Test Prep Instructor

September 2007 – October 2008
  • Taught standardized test taking techniques to students preparing for the SAT, ACT and other nationally administered tests.
  • Tutored students individually when they needed help with specific topics such as geometry, algebra, and chemistry.

Chicago Area
September 1992 – October 2005

Ravenswood Community Orchestra

Conductor and Founder

May 2000 – October 2005
  • Started a new community orchestra and led a mixture of professional and amateur musicians in four to five concerts per year including an annual family-friendly concert and a Sing-along Messiah.
  • Helped initiate the transition of the orchestra to a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
  • The orchestra has continued to grow and holds a special place in the lives of many Chicago-area amateur musicians.

Saint Benedict Parish

Director of Music

May 2000 – October 2005
  • Full-time Music Director for a large urban Roman Catholic parish.
  • Planned music for and performed nearly 300 events per year including festivals, weddings, funerals, and weekend masses.
  • Built a strong music program resulting in St. Ben’s being one of three parishes in the Chicago Archdiocese to trend upwards in attendance and participation during this period.

Freelance Ballet Pianist

Ballet Pianist

September 1992 – October 2005
  • Accompanied ballet classes and performances for all the major ballet companies and schools in the Chicago area including Joffrey Ballet, Lou Conte Dance Studios, River North Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Company, Joel Hall Dancers and Ruth Page Dance Studios.
  • Served briefly on the Board of Directors of Second City Ballet.

Princeton Review

Test Prep Instructor

January 1993 – October 1999
  • Taught standardized test taking techniques to students preparing for the SAT, ACT, LSAT, GRE and other nationally administered tests.
  • Regularly registered the highest score improvements by my students.

©2018 Wolkamatic

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