Steve has been very active as a performer since 1969. In this career as a pianist, he has performed with recording artists such as Eric Marienthal, Mundell Lowe, Charles McPherson, Kenny Goldberg and Frankie Avalon. His groups have opened concerts for artists such as Michael Franks, Rita Coolidge, The Platter, The Coasters, The Diamonds, Little Anthony, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and Jack Mack & the Heart Attack. The Steve Baker Trio specializes in Brazilian and Afro-Cuban influenced jazz. They have performed in many varied venues with artists such as Cuban drumming virtuoso Ignacio Beroa, Brazilian recording artist, Josias Dos Santos, Latin jazz recording artist Kenny Goldberg and 50s rock & roll tenor sex veteran John "Hoot" McDonald. A resident of the San Diego area since 1960, Mr. Baker's music study has included training in both classical and jazz piano and composition. He holds degrees in music from Grossmont College (AA), UCSD (BA), and SDSU (MM in Piano Performance). Mr. Baker has performed in numerous master classes including those of Misha Dichter, Marion Hall, Frank Weins and Lorin Hollander. During post graduate studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he studied with Billy Taylor, David Baker, Gerald Wilson and Bobby McFerrin. Mr. Baker has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Department faculty since 1985, serving as the chair for 11 years, and is a founding member of the Grossmont College Music Department Faculty Jazz Quintet called Ars Nova. He teaches music theory, piano performance and music technology. Since 2004, Baker has served as music director to the San Diego Dance Theater, performing with Jean Isaacs' "Sippie: A Salute to Sippie Wallace," "Suite Satie,""Cabaret Dances,"(annually) and more, in San Diego, New York City, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and in Europe and Mexico. Baker's rendition of "Rhapsody in Blue" with The Poway Symphony Orchestra (May 2008) garnered standing ovations.

Mr. Baker has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Department faculty since 1985 and his current teaching responsibilities include Piano Performance.

Office:  58M
Phone:  (619) 644-7155
E-Mail:  Steve.Baker@gcccd.edu

Office:  230-E
Phone:  (619) 644-7259
E-Mail:  Fred.Benedetti@gcccd.edu OR fbenede1@san.rr.com

Derek Cannon, Department Co-Chair & Director of Jazz & Afro-Cuban Studies

Derek is an accomplished performer and music educator having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and Master of Music degrees from San Diego State University (SDSU).  During his time as a student at SDSU he won many soloist awards at jazz festivals throughout the state.  

Derek has maintained an active performing career which includes performances with Natalie Cole, Clark Terry, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and Jon Faddis to name a few. As a BMI affiliated composer Derek has also written and produced music for several recording artists in the Chicago area. 

Internationally, he has performed at The Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, The North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands, The Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, and The Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada.   Derek’s recent recordings include “Coup d’ Eclat,” with Monette Marino, 2010, “From Me To You,” with Paula Prophet, 2010, “Free Your Mind,” with Walter Beasley, 2009, “Destiny,” with Kamau Kenyatta, 2008, and “Come On Over,” with Allison Adams Tucker, 2008.  

In addition to being a member of the music faculty at Grossmont College, Mr. Cannon has also chaired the Jazz Studies Department at Chicago State University (1995-1999), and is a member of the jazz studio faculty at San Diego State University.   Derek Cannon has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Department Faculty since 1993.  His classes include Music Theory, Jazz Improvisation, Elements of Jazz, and he is the founder/director of the Afro-Cuban Ensemble.   In 2002, Derek was elected to the prestigious "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." 

Students of Mr. Cannon may visit his personal webpage at http://www.derekcannon.net

Check out Derek Cannon on MySpace at: http://www.myspace.com/derekcannon

Office 230-E
Phone (619) 644-7257  
E-Mail: Derek.Cannon@gcccd.edu

Dr. Tweed is has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Department Faculty since 1986.  His classes include Music Theory, Music History, Performance Studies, Voice Class, in addition to the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra & Master Chorale.

Office:  230-D
Phone:  (619) 644-7298
E-Mail:  Randall.Tweed@gcccd.edu

Information for Dr. Tweed's GSO members.
Information for Dr. Tweed's Music Theory Students.
Information for Dr. Tweed's GMC members.
Information for Dr. Tweed's Voice Class Students

Office:  230-I
Phone: 644-7254
E-Mail: ken.anderson@gcccd.edu

Ken Ard, Music Education, Piano Studies, Aural Skills

Office:  230-I
Phone:  644-7254
E-Mail:  kard@sdccd.edu

Office:  230-I
Phone: (619) 644-7454 x3617
E-Mail: Prof.B@cox.net

Manny Cepeda, Afro-cuban & Jazz Studies, Music Theory

Manny hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  His musical experience of over 48 years makes him a fountain of knowledge in the Latin Music genre.  He has a Bachelors degree in music from Illinois State University, and a Masters Degree in Performance from Ellington University.  He has performed professionally since the age of 7 years old when he was the leader of a 14-piece Salsa Band and performed in National TV for the Mid-day variety show in San Juan Puerto Rico’s Channel 4.  After his musical education in the Conservatory of Music Pablo Casals, in Puerto Rico, and finishing his musical degrees, Manny joined the US Navy Music Program in 1973.  He has lead many Navy Band throughout the US and Overseas.  He was the leader of the famous Navy Steel Band and the world traveled U.S. Navy Show Band.  He toured the entire continent of South America and West Africa doing 7 world tours.  He currently works as the Assistant Director for the CINCSOUTH Band and is also an arranger for many enterprises and bands in the US. 

Art Walk 2004 Review

“One of the most promising artists with a background of rich music from the famous Bomba y Plena 'Cepeda' family of Puerto Rico is Manny Cepeda.  Since the age of 7, Manny has been performing first as the “Timbales Player” in the acclaimed variety TV “Show de Vigoreaus” in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Channel 4, and with other famous bands such as “Babo Jimenez, Ricardo Ray, Willie Colon and others.

Manny’s talents expanded further as his musical knowledge increased and has also developed into a superb composer and arranger.  He is now bringing his collection of Salsa/Merengue music to the public and it’s sure to be a hit with all the audiences.  His energetic beat and the richness of his songs choruses make for this “Paloma Collection” an album to be remembered.  Stay tuned for more of Manny Cepeda’s music.” 

Robert Evans, Owner & Art Director, Little Italy Art Walk 2004

For more information on Manny Cepeda, please visit his website at: www.mannycepeda.com

Office:  230-A
Phone:  (619) 644-7254
E-Mail:  manny.cepeda@gcccd.edu

Jeff has been a “gigging guitarist” in San Diego since 1972, and in the 70's worked with many local “Top Forty” bands, including Nimbus, Soul Expression, Showboat and others.  Jeff worked with many blues artists in the mid-70's, such as Tom Cat Courtney and His Blues Dusters,  Kansas City pianist Bob Jeffries and Jamaican blues artist Louis Majors. In the mid-70's Jeff was also a member of rock band Jamul, who had a Billboard Top 100 hit with their rendition of “Tobacco Road.”  From 1978 to 1988, Jeff worked mainly with “oldies” band the Ducktail Revue at the Sheraton Harbor Island, Mission Valley Hilton Hotel, Hanalei Hotel and many other restaurants and clubs. With the Ducktail Revue, Jeff has performed as an opening act for the Platters, the Coasters, Frankie Avalon, the Diamonds, Little Anthony, the Drifters, the Hollywood Argyles, the Kingston Trio, the Bellamy Brothers, Roger Miller, the Association, the Four Freshman and Mel Tillis.   As a member of Reeves In Motion, Jeff  backed up the Coasters, and as a member of the Belair Boys, Jeff opened for the Four Tops.  Jeff has also performed with “oldies” bands Rama Lama, the Impostors, and the Midnight Hour.

Since 1995, Jeff has mainly worked with Breez’n, a variety band that does smooth, Latin and straight-ahead jazz as well as pop, disco, classic rock and rhythm and blues.  Breez’n has  played many wedding receptions, corporate events and private parties, along with restaurants, night clubs and many summer “Concert in the Park” events.  Breez’n has played at the KIFM Jazz Festival every year since 1996, and also performs yearly at the Del Mar Electronics Fair.  Besides continuing to perform with Breez’n, Jeff works with various straight-ahead jazz combos and alternative rock band Kitten With a Whip. Jeff also plays at the Comedy Store on Sunday nights,  “riffing” between comedy acts!

After graduating from high school in 1970 and attending UCSD as a math major, Jeff began his musical studies at Mesa College in 1972.  Jeff continued to take music classes at San Diego State University through the 70's and 80's while continuing to “gig” and work part time delivery jobs, finally receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990.  Jeff returned to SDSU to complete his Master of Music degree in Jazz Guitar Performance in 1998.  While a student, Jeff studied jazz guitar with Everett Gonsalves,  Peter Sprague, Bill MacPherson and Art Johnson.  Jeff also performed with the SDSU Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Combos, including 1997 concerts with the “A” band backing up Gary Lefebre, Ellen Johnson, Louis Bellson and Pete Christlieb.  Jeff also taught three semesters of Jazz Guitar Ensemble and a semester of Jazz Combo while a grad student at SDSU.

Jeff has taught History of Jazz at Grossmont College since Fall 2005.  Jeff is one of two staff Jazz Guitar instructors, and has taught Class Guitar and subbed for Music Theory classes. Jeff has performed with the Grossmont Jazz Ensemble, the Grossmont Jazz Faculty and fellow teacher Paul Kurokawa.

Martha Jane Howe, Performance Studies

Office:  230-I
Phone: 644-7254
E-Mail: marthajane.howe@gcccd.edu

Lorie is an acclaimed young American cellist, who has developed a glowing career on the West Coast as soloist, recitalist, and chamber music player. After her studies on the East Coast with distinguished cellists Raya Garbousova and Bernard Greenhouse, she spent some time doing freelance work and repertoire development. She then came to the West Coast where she earned a Master of Arts degree in music at the University of California San Diego and studied with the well known cellist Peter Farrell. Her research into repertoire moved into the 20th century as well as performance practice of music of earlier times. After this, a long series of recitals and solo appearances began and continue with noticeable frequency and high critical acclaim. She has appeared as principal cellist with orchestras for the Bolshoi Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.

Lorie Kirkell has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Department Faculty since 2002.  Her classes include Great Music Listening.

Office:  230-I
Phone:  (619) 644-7254
E-Mail: lorie.kirkell@gcccd.edu

More information on Chris Klich.

Office:  230-I
Phone:  644-7254
E-Mail:  chris.klich@gcccd.edu

Office:  230-I
Phone: 644-7254
E-Mail: mkrew@prosound.com

Office:  230-I
Phone: 644-7254
E-Mail: pianoinstructor@gmail.com

Office:  230-I
Phone:  (619) 644-7254
E-Mail:  jmortondrums@aol.com

Branden Muresan, General Music

Branden is a native of Southern California. He holds a Bachelor' s of Music in Violin Performance from San Diego State University where he studied with Igor and Vesna Gruppman as well as Juanita Cummins. Muresan completed his Master's in Music in Instrumental Conducting under the supervision of Donald Barra and Harold Warman from SDSU in 2000.

During the past three years, he has conducted concerts given by the SDSU University Symphony and collaborated with SDSU Opera Theater for a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado.  Muresan has appeared previously as guest conductor for both the Grossmont Symphony and the Palomar Symphony Orchestras.  Muresan is on the faculty at both Grossmont and Palomar Community Colleges as well as substitute conductor for the Civic Youth Orchestra of San Diego.  Muresan served for three years as volunteer strings chairman for the Music Teachers Association of California, and is currently string coaching for the Helix High School Orchestra.  A resident of San Clemente, Muresan also gives private instruction for students from Mission Viejo to San Diego. Muresan currently occupies the STAT Pharmaceutical Company’s Mentor /Tutor Chair in the Grossmont Symphony and performs both as violinist and Assistant Conductor of the Palomar Symphony Orchestra.
 
Branden Muresan has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Department Faculty since 2001.  His classes include Great Music Listening and Introduction to Music, in addition to occupying the STAT Pharmaceutical Endowed Violin Chair in the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra..

Office:  230-I
Phone:  (619) 644-7254
E-Mail: violinmanb@yahoo.com

Office:  230-I
Phone: 644-7254
E-Mail:  Marion.Rodewald@gcccd.edu

Melonie began studying piano at the age of four, and has since been recognized not only for her skills as a pianist but also for her abilities as a musical director, piano instructor, vocalist, and music educator. Melonie received a Bachelor of Music (Education/Jazz Emphasis) from the University of Miami in 1996.  In 2003, she received a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from SDSU. 

Melonie has an extensive list of musical performance experiences, both at the collegiate level at SDSU and in the free-lance field.  She plays jazz, Latin jazz, salsa, classical, and musical theater.  Additionally, she has performed in well-known San Diego venues, including Dizzy’s and Croce’s Jazz Bar. Melonie is active as a performer in the jazz community and has worked with Lori Bell, Ron Satterfield, Gilbert Castellanos, Rob Thorsen, Tim McMahon, Duncan Moore and the Benny Holman band.  She has done extensive work as musical director and pit keyboardist for Starlight Civic Theater, the San Diego Repertory Theater and the Lawrence Welk Theater.  Additionally, she has been employed by Royal Caribbean International Cruises, both as a pianist and musical director for shows featuring major headliner acts. 

Her teaching experience extends to Southwestern College and Miramar College where she teaches courses including: World Music, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Introduction to Music and Music for Elementary Teachers and Class Piano. Melonie is also a member of Local AFM 325.
Melonie Sacalamitao has been a member of the Grossmont College Music faculty since 2001.

Office: 230-I
Phone: (619) 644-7254
E-Mail: melonie.grinnell@yahoo.com

Office: 230-I
Phone: 644-7254
E-Mail:   rsperling@sdcoe.net

Robert belongs to that small generation of gifted former students of the legendary Romeros family guitar dynasty from the period between 1972-1985 who has succeeded as a professional musician. Devoted to the classical guitar, he has continued with his primary vocation, maintaining a busy schedule of practicing, performing, recording, teaching and arranging music to this day.

He made his formal concert performance debut by sharing the stage with his mentors, the legendary Romeros, as the fourth member of the performing guitar quartet at the August Moon Concerts of the Napa Music Festival in 1977. His status confirmed alongside Celin, Pepe and Angel Romero, he performed the lute and guitar parts of their father, the great Celedonio Romero who was vacationing in Spain that summer. The Napa concert that Robert participated in was a special rare program by the Romeros that featured ensemble performances on lutes, vihuelas and guitars.

On commenting about his early life and ascension up the ladder rungs of early music successes, Robert states: “A native of the Netherlands with Dutch-Indonesian and Chinese lineage, I immigrated to the United States at age two with my parents, two older brothers and sister, settling in Dallas, Texas. My mother, Leonie, intuitively sensed my inclinations towards artistic sensibilities and encouraged me to draw and later persuaded me to study the piano which I undertook until I was age eleven.

It was after my sister brought home a Silvertone acoustic guitar, that I switched my musical allegiance and thus I began my lifelong love affair with the guitar. I began studying with my first classical guitar teacher, Darryl Ray Saffer, at Southern Methodist University, who introduced me to the Romeros when they visited his house during their U.S. tour in 1971. After intensive study of the classical guitar while still a teenager, I was granted the opportunity to be a performer in the guitar master classes of Pepe Romero, Christopher Parkening, Oscar Ghiglia, and Robert Guthrie which were held in Dallas. The following year I began private studies in Del Mar, California with one of the worlds’ greatest guitarists, Angel Romero, who graciously invited me to reside in his residence during my yearly summer studies with him. During this musical apprentice-ship in the old-European style approach of ‘I’ll show you how to do it, now you try’, I developed close friendships with each member of the Romero family who often referred to me as their ‘little brother’.”

In 1975, another great master guitarist, Pepe Romero, awarded Robert the honor to study on full scholarship for five consecutive years at his then annually conducted master classes in Houston, Texas.

Robert relates another anecdote from this time: “Pepe also cordially invited me to study privately with him in Del Mar and he showed me the same degree of kindness as Angel had expressed earlier by allowing me to reside in his family’s house during those periods of study of the guitar before I moved permanently to California in 1979. This early bohemian lifestyle privilege gave me the priceless opportunity not only to learn how to play the guitar from one of the greatest masters, but also enabled me to witness how great artists live from dawn to dusk. It was very enlightening for me and I was determined to devote my life to music and survive by music.”

During this period Robert also participated as a performer in master classes by two Spanish master composers of the 20th century, Joaquin Rodrigo and Federico Moreno-Torroba. The master classes were organized by Pepe Romero and were held in Houston and Dallas, respectively. Private guitar studies in Del Mar coincided with Pepe Romero and later with the gran maestro and patriarch of the Romero family, Celedonio Romero, whom Robert cites as his greatest influence:

“I had studied diligently with his sons and had learned much and drew great inspiration from them, but it wasn’t until I had the great fortune to sit next to Celedonio Romero and have him show me personally how fantastic guitar playing with profound musicality was done that I realized where all of his son’s greatness had stemmed from. It was from him! That time was the golden period of my artistic development and some of my fondest memories are from those times spent with Celedonio at his home in Del Mar, sometimes enacting the respectful student to maestro relationship and at other times just being totally down to earth and assuming the roles of two sincere good old friends. He showed me immense kindness and I really miss him. I am still in touch with his sons Celin, Pepe and Angel and see them from time to time and our relationships too are very special.”

Undergraduate studies with Robert Guthrie at Southern Methodist University earned Robert a BA degree in musical performance and he was the first guitarist to earn a Master of Music degree from San Diego State University under the guidance of Celin Romero.

A founding member of the award-winning Odeum Guitar Duo with guitarist, composer, and colleague, Fred Benedetti, Robert is a frequent performer in solo, chamber music and orchestral concerts and currently he resides in San Diego, California where he is on the music faculties of the University of California, San Diego; San Diego State University, University of San Diego and Grossmont College.

As a recording artist, he has recorded his arrangements for two guitars on two CDs by the Odeum Guitar Duo on SBE Records, one of which, entitled “Concert Hall Classics”, was awarded and honored as being one of the top ten best independently produced guitar CDs of 2000 by Acoustic Guitar magazine.

The CDs by the Odeum Guitar Duo, which are still available, contain guitar duo arrangements done by Robert from the works by the composers Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt, Chopin, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Vivaldi/J. S. Bach, Torelli/J. S. Bach, Boccherini, Rimsky-Korsakov, Scriabin, and Albeniz as well as original works for two guitars by J. K. Mertz.

Robert has recorded two solo albums for SBE Records which were released simultaneously in October, 2004. They are entitled “Guitar Fantasy in Spain and Italy” and “Guitar Fantasy in Spain and Italy Vol. 2”. They contain original works for solo guitar by Fernando Sor, Francesco Molino, Niccolo Paganini, Francisco Guerau, Gaspar Sanz, Jose Broca, Jose Ferrer, Angel Barrios and a guitar arrangement by Robert Wetzel of a work originally composed for lute by Francisco da Milano.

He performs on guitars that were constructed for him by Miguel Rodriguez of Cordoba, Spain (1976, cedar top, palosanto back and sides) and Simon Marty of Sydney, Australia (1999, spruce top, rosewood back and sides). Robert uses Augustine ‘Blue’ extra hard tension for bass strings and Savarez ‘yellow’ non-clear extra hard tension for treble strings.
His favorite guitar of choice is the 1976 cedar top Rodriguez, of which Robert relates about with facts on how he obtained the magnificent instrument:

“My parents were vacationing in Spain in 1975 and upon checking into their hotel room, they surprisingly met Pepe Romero and his parents, Celedonio and Angelita, in the lobby of the very same hotel. You’ve heard the saying, ‘it’s a small world’. My father told me upon his return to the States how he could hear Celedonio practicing through the hotel room walls since they were given adjoining rooms on the same floor!

Anyway, my father got together with Pepe and told him that he wanted to get me the best guitar possible, so Pepe phoned the Rodriguez shop in Cordoba to order me a guitar. A few months later the guitar arrived with two other Rodriguez instruments in Houston, Texas at the Guitar Gallery of Houston which at that time was owned by some friends of ours, and I picked my guitar out of the three. I’ll never forget the acts of my father and Pepe to get my favorite instrument which I use exclusively for my recordings and some concerts. I used it on all of the tracks for the Odeum Guitar Duo recordings and for the two solo debut CDs originally released on SBE Records in 2004 and then later issued again with permission in 2005 on my own independent record label, Concert Hall Records.”

For more information on Robert Wetzel, please visit his professional webpage at: www.robertwetzel.com

Robert Wetzel has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Faculty since Fall 2006.  His courses currently include: classical guitar and class guitar.

Office: Room 230-I
Phone: (619) 644-7254
E-mail: rob91977@aol.com

Jane is principal horn with the Lyric Opera San Diego and Starlight Musical Theatre.  As horn soloist with the Orquesta de Baja California from 1992-2000 she performed extensively throughout Mexico and the United States. In 1997 Jane and the OBC premiered and recorded Meyer Kupferman’s A Faust Concerto for horn and chamber orchestra.  Other recordings include: Concierto para guitarra y orquesta; Eugenia Leon en Directo; Hexagon Skies; New Tunes on Jazz Elements; Masada; Moonfingers Demon; Un Viejo Amor; and Musica de Salon, Mexican Grammy nominee. Jane plays frequently with the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, and the San Diego Chamber Orchestra and is an active recitalist and freelance musician in Southern California. She earned her MM and DMA degrees from the Eastman School of Music where she studied horn with Verne Reynolds and composition with Samuel Adler and Robert Morris.  In her spare time she works for the Stuart Collection at UCSD, commissioning new public art for the campus.

Dr. Zwerneman has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Department Faculty since 1989.

Office: 230-I
Phone: (619) 644-7254
E-Mail: janezwerneman@gmail.com

Meredith joined the staff of the Grossmont College Music Department as interim clerical assistant Fall 2012.

Office Hours: Monday through Friday
M-F 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.