Choreographer, dancer, and educator, Ms. Reedy was the founder and artistic director of Karen Reedy Dance (KRD) from 2007-2015. A highly musical artist with strong choreographic sensibilities for pattern, texture and emotion, her works span the continuum of classical and contemporary dance in traditional as well as site specific performance.
William Reeder's accomplishments include being the former dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts; vice president and general manager of the Washington Performing Arts Society; establishing the Sallie Mae Trust for Education at Sallie Mae; executive director of the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C.; president of the Saint Louis Conservatory of Music; executive director of Opera Music Theatre International; and the Newark Community School of the Arts.
Originally hailing from New Zealand, Jonathan has been involved in musical pursuits of one form or another since the age of four. While attending the University of Auckland where he completed studies for a Bachelor of Music (Honors), Jonathan was a regular performer with the Auckland Philharmonia.
Dr. Shawn Purcell, originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and educator based in the Washington DC region. Purcell has shared the stage, recorded with, and/or toured with Walt Weiskopf, Pat Bianchi, Regina Carter, Steve Fidyk, Chip McNeill, Sean Jones, Steve Allee, Brian Charette, Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Lucas Pino, Peter Erskine, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Daniels, National Symphony Orchestra and many others.
Origin Records recording artist, Darden Purcell is a Washington DC based featured soloist with symphony orchestras, big bands and small ensembles and jazz educator. Ms. Purcell has shared the stage with top jazz artists including Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Branford Marsalis, Terell Stafford, Joe Locke, Walt Weiskopf, Eric Alexander, Eddie Daniels, Alan Baylock, Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, US Navy Band Commodores, Airmen of Note, US Army Blues, American Festival Pops Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, performing nationally and internationally, including Blues Alley, Club Bonafide (NYC), The Jazz Kitchen, Blue Wisp, Bop Stop, Chris’s Jazz Café, Blue Jazz+, Con Alma, JazzB (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Aalt Stadhaus (Luxembourg), Wolf Trap and The Kennedy Center (back-up vocals for Mr. George Benson, Caroline Shaw, Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles). Dr. Purcell is the Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice Instructor and Director of the Downbeat Award-winning, Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble at George Mason University.
Victor Provost’s performances transcend the expectations of instrument and genre. With appearances at major venues throughout the world (including Shanghai Concert Hall, Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater, the Umbria Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center) he has been meticulously solidifying his reputation as a master of the Steel Pan and crafting an improvisational voice and style to be reckoned with.
Retired since 2021, Professor Emeritus Buffy Price earned her Masters from New York University and has taught for the George Mason University School of Dance since 1991. She served as Associate Chair from 2002-2003 and Chair of the Dance Department, then Director of the School of Dance from 2003-2013.
William D. (David) Porter is a retired CMSgt from The United States Air Force Band, Washington D.C. During his 24 year career there, he played tuba with The Concert Band, The Ceremonial Brass and The Symphony Orchestra.
Eric Piccione is Assistant Professor of Game Design. He has 20 years of experience developing video games for companies such as Sega, Activision and Electronic Arts. Read more...