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Visual & Performing Arts
VISUAL and PERFORMING ARTS
FACULTY
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STAFF
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 Russ Mullen, Instructional Assistant with the instrumental music program and director of JAMS Jazz, is a professional musician who is often found in the recording studios of Los Angeles. Having toured the U.S. and Canada with First Class Band, Mr. Mullen has also played in Las Vegas numerous times. Mr. Mullen has performed and recorded a variety of styles including: symphonic, opera, jazz, African, Persian, Country and Western, Rap, Brazilian, Salsa, Rock, and Pop. His long association with jazz musician Buddy Collette includes substitute teaching at Cal Poly Pomona, Loyola Marymount University, and Cal State Long Beach. Along with Collette, he is on the Board of Directors of Jazz America. Mr. Mullen has given master classes in jazz improvisation at the Pacific Blue Music Camp.Email Mr. Mullen at mullen@smmusd.org |
 Galina Baskina, accompanist, has been with the John Adams Middle School since 1998. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from College of Gnesins in Moscow, Russia, and her Master's degree in Music Education and Piano Performance from the Conservatory of Music in Kazan, also in Russia. Mrs. Baskina has taught music at all levels, elementary through high school in Moscow, and also worked as an accompanist for choirs and instrumentalists.Email Ms. Baskina at baskina@smmusd.org |
Angela Woo is Director of Instrumental Music at John Adams Middle School. An alumna of UCLA, Ms. Woo earned the degree Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Piano Performance, the Master of Education, and the Master of Fine Arts in Conducting. She also holds the Master of Arts in Educational Administration from CSUN. Before her arrival to John Adams in 1995, she was Director of Instrumental and Choral Music at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach. Ms. Woo has been invited to serve as guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator with various honor groups and conducting symposiums throughout the country, including those in Wisconsin, Georgia, Florida, Oregon, California, and Colorado. Most recently, Ms. Woo guest conducted the 2004 Kentucky All-State High School Concert Band and the 2007 Oregon All-State Middle School Band. Ms. Woo is frequently invited to lead professional development workshops for educators at both the middle school and high school levels.
Cecile Blanchard graduated from UCLA with a B.M.Ed. in Vocal Performance. She is also a product of the fine music program in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, having attended Madison Elementary School, John Adams Middle School, and Santa Monica High School. Cecile has performed with UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, and St. Charles Borromeo choirs. She is an active member of the American Choral Directors' Association, and has served on the board of the Southern California Vocal Association from 1994-1996, as vice-president of the Junior High School Honor Choir. Cecile taught at Lincoln Middle School from 1990-1997, is currently in her 10th year at John Adams Middle School, and is very proud to be teaching at her alma mater.
Apryl Garcia is Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department and Assistant Director of Instrumental Music at John Adams Middle School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and her Single Subject Teaching Credential from UCLA. Ms. Garcia has performed as a trombonist with the UCLA Philharmonic Orchestra and the UCLA Wind Ensemble. Prior to her arrival to John Adams in 2003, she taught fourth grade violin at Fairburn Elementary School, and she also student taught both strings and winds classes at Palms Middle School. In July 2005, Ms. Garcia served as a brass specialist with the inaugural UCLA Summer Music Academy and instructed many outstanding high school musicians from throughout the state.
Jennifer West is in her second year as the Visual Arts teacher at John Adams Middle School. A graduate of DePaul University, Mrs. West earned her Master’s degree at the Chicago campus in 2000. Her bachelor of art degree from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. concentrated in graphic arts and photography, but there are numerous specialized mediums in which she enjoys working including, ceramics, illustration, painting, sculpture, and fiber arts. Before coming to JAMS, Mrs. West worked in many public and private schools within Los Angeles and the Northern suburbs of Chicago over the past nine years. She has also worked in the field of graphic design at several prominent Chicago advertising agencies and as a photographic assistant and stylist to a Chicago celebrity print photographer. Mrs. West is a member of the California Arts Education Association and actively participates in a variety of art education professional development forums.
Jeanette Asher teaches Dance and Physical Education at John Adams Middle School. She earned the degree Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from San Diego State University where she also received the California Teaching Credential. She was nominated for the SDSU Phil Halfaker Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Teacher. She has worked as a professional DJ and her interests include multicultural dance and music, teaching children and learning from them.
Leo Sakomoto is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in conducting at UCLA under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Lee. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from California State University, Los Angeles, where he studied conducting with David Buck, Thomas Miyake, and Abel Ramirez. He has also had the opportunity to study with renowned conductors such as Richard Clary, Robert Carnochan, Richard Floyd, and Jerry Junkin. As an undergraduate student at CSULA, Mr. Sakomoto was invited to regularly conduct many of the major ensembles on campus, including the Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, New Music Ensemble, and was appointed as a primary conductor of the Symphonic Band. In addition to his conducting duties, he served on the student board of the CSULA Chapter of Music Educators National Conference. He is currently the co-conductor of the UCLA Symphonic Band and is a Graduate Associate Conductor of the UCLA Wind Ensemble.