Mark Houser Technical Director Eastman Opera Theatre PRODUCTION STAFFEastman Opera TheatreBIOGRAPHY Mark Houser, Technical Director for Eastman Opera Theatre, has been an IATSE local 25 member since 1983 and has worked in all professional venues in Rochester, NY. He has also worked hundreds of traveling productions in all areas of stagecraft, traveled for CMI communications…
Nic Minetor Lighting Designer Eastman Opera Theatre PRODUCTION STAFFEastman Opera TheatreBIOGRAPHY Nic Minetor has been a full-time lighting designer in the upstate New York region for more than 25 years. Since 1988, he has been the resident lighting designer for Eastman Opera. In addition, he has designed for Finger Lakes Opera and Mercury Opera, as well…
Adriano Gato Fight Director Eastman Opera Theatre PRODUCTION STAFFEastman Opera TheatreBIOGRAPHY Adriano Gato is certified with Full Distinction by Fight Directors Canada. His work as a fight director has been seen in over 50 productions across the country, most recently at Geva Theatre Center, Irish Classical Theatre, and Niagara University, his alma mater and where he serves…
Kerfala Bangoura Director of West African Drumming Ensemble at the River Campus DEPARTMENTMusicologyCONTACT INFOEmail Professor BangouraBIOGRAPHY Born in Conakry, Guinea, master drummer and dancer Kerfala Bangoura began his professional career in 1990. He has performed with numerous private ballets in Guinea, including the Macaca Ballet, Kounkoré Bamba Ballet, and Ballet Fareta, where he received his…
Larry Zalkind Professor of Trombone My Ship Kurt Weill Lady in the DarkDorsey-Trombonology DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Professor ZalkindPersonal WebsiteBIOGRAPHY When he was eight years old, trombonist Larry Zalkind jumped at the chance to enter the music program at his local elementary school. Inspired by his favorite group, the Tijuana Brass, he…
Michael Wayne Professor of Clarinet DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Professor WayneBIOGRAPHY Michael Wayne joined the faculty of the Eastman School of Music in 2019, following previous positions with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, and the Kansas City Symphony. He has also held faculty positions at the New England Conservatory of Music, Tanglewood Music…
George Sakakeeny Professor of Bassoon Sabbatical 2025-2026 Academic Year DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Professor SakakeenyPersonal WebsiteBIOGRAPHY George Sakakeeny ESM BM ’78, has appeared as a soloist with orchestras throughout North and South America, Europe, and the Far East, including engagements in Vienna at the historic Musikverein, at Severance Hall with members of the Cleveland…
Jamal J. Rossi Joan and Martin Messinger Dean Emeritus DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Prof. RossiBIOGRAPHY Jamal Rossi has served in numerous leadership capacities throughout a forty-year career in music higher education. At Eastman, Rossi served in multiple leadership capacities including Deputy Dean (2005-06), Interim Dean (2006-2007), Executive Associate Dean (2007-2013; including one year as Acting…
Charles Ross Assistant Professor of Timpani DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Professor Ross585-274-1550BIOGRAPHY Charles Ross began his early music education as a cellist at the age of 5 with his father, as well as with Francesca Church, a Pablo Casals protégé. He then added percussion at age 8 and continued with both through his…
Jacek Muzyk Instructor of Horn DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Mr. MuzykBIOGRAPHY Jacek Muzyk born in Poland, began to study French horn at the age of 18, and graduated with a master’s degree from the Academy of Music in Krakow. Mr. Muzyk earned his second master’s degree at the Mannes College of Music in…