SFJAZZ Appoints Rebeca Mauleon Director of Education

SOURCE: MARSHALL LAMM PROMOTIONS & PUBLIC RELATIONS

SFJAZZ, the leading nonprofit jazz organization on the West Coast and the presenter of the SFJAZZ Spring Season 2011, running February 24 through June 25, today announced the appointment of Rebeca Mauleón as Director of Education. As SFJAZZ Director of Education, Mauleón will bring her perspective, talent, expertise, experience and vision to all SFJAZZ education efforts. She will apply her specific and practical knowledge to create dynamic new programs, expand current ones and creatively broaden partnerships. Mauleón will build the educational foundation for the organization's very own SFJAZZ Center.

“Rebeca joining SFJAZZ represents the merger of performance and education the organization has always strived for," says SFJAZZ Executive Operating Director Felice Swapp. “Her intellect, enthusiasm, passion and commitment to music education around the world make her the perfect person to guide the organization's educational activities into the future. As the daughter of two Ph.D. educators and a tenured professor herself, Rebeca embodies the spirit of SFJAZZ to educate and deepen people's knowledge of music and music history. Plus, she is a smokin' pianist!"

“Since 1983, when I performed at the very first Jazz In The City, to being honored with the SFJAZZ Beacon Award 25 years later in 2008, SFJAZZ has been a part of my artistic and creative path in so many ways," says Mauleón. “What a thrill to join the organization as Director of Education. I can't think of a more fitting way to bring my passion for music education and performance than to help SFJAZZ continue its extraordinary work. I am up for the challenges and the many rewards this new role brings and I am humbled to work with such a dynamic and creative organization."

A San Francisco-native, Mauleón is a tenured professor of Latin American Music at City College of San Francisco, a Grammy-nominated producer, a guest lecturer at U.C. Berkeley and a member of The Recording Academy and The Latin Recording Academy. She is an internationally sought-after lecturer and clinician on Latin American music history and performance. For over 30 years, she has been at the forefront of the music community as an advocate for jazz education, music education and arts education.

As a pianist, Mauleón has recorded and performed with an array of legends including Tito Puente , Carlos Santana , Steve Winwood , Joe Henderson  and Mickey Hart. Her diverse projects, ranging from symphonic works and music for film and television to her own recordings, books and articles on Cuban music have made Rebeca one of the most prolific artists on the world music scene. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Salsa Guidebook and 101 Montunos and a musicological consultant to National Geographic, Time Life and other institutions.

In 2008, Rebeca was honored by SFJAZZ with its Beacon Award for artistic excellence and dedication to the community. In 2009, she received a Latin Grammy Nomination for her production of Orestes Vilató's “It's About Time." Her compositional awards include “Meet The Composer's" prestigious New Residencies Award, the Sundance Composers' Fellowship, and a commission by the Oakland East Bay Symphony in 2010.

The organization has recently announced plans to build the SFJAZZ Center as a permanent home for SFJAZZ scheduled for completion in late 2012. This remarkable new facility, to be located in San Francisco's vibrant Hayes Valley neighborhood, will be a 35,000 square-foot transparent free-standing structure designed by renowned architect Mark Cavagnero. With the SFJAZZ Center, jazz will take its place alongside major arts institutions such as the San Francisco Symphony, Opera and Ballet in the Civic Center performing arts district. The SFJAZZ Center will provide the perfect home for the convergence of all educational activities and programs.

SFJAZZ presents year-round education activities serving thousands of adults and youth across the Bay Area. From the middle school program, “Jazz in the Middle," to the “Discover Jazz Series" (beginning February 10), SFJAZZ is committed to encouraging the growth of jazz and the development of jazz audiences through an innovative array of educational programs in concert halls, classrooms and community centers. The award-winning SFJAZZ High School All-Stars program provides advanced-level training and performance opportunities for some of the most talented musicians in the nation.

Led by Director Paul Contos, the All-Stars program features workshops and training in small ensemble performance, composition, jazz theory, improvisation, orchestration, arranging and music business. Through the SFJAZZ “Meet the Masters" program, members enjoy regular workshops, master classes and mentoring sessions with SFJAZZ Collective  members and other leading artists. The SFJAZZ High School All-Stars perform during Spring Season 2011 on March 12 and May 5.

Complete on: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=74756