Music Contacts

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Music Discipline Lead and Arts, Humanities & Languages Department Chair
Dr. Melanie Sehman

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Applied Music Instructors
Additional instrumental areas are available for study. If you don't see your instrument on this list, please contact Dr. Melanie Sehman.

ACCORDION: JOSHUA HOU

Faculty member Joshua Hou holding an accordion standing in front of a brick wall Josh Hou is an accordionist, pianist, composer, and arranger based in Seattle. Having grown up in three countries (United States, China, Malaysia), his work reflects the multicultural sonorities of his upbringing and heritage, both in music and language. He has two records out as a solo bandleader: Feeling of Home (2020) and Bilingualism (2019).

His latest project is The Horn Bellows (2022), recorded and mixed with long-time collaborator and friend, Ray Larsen.

Josh, along with collaborator Max Holmberg, produced and hosted Jazztalk Seattle, a now discontinued monthly Seattle area jazz podcast that lasted for five years. He also continues to sing and play in How Short, a swing band co-led with guitarist Andy Short.

Learn more about Josh at www.joshuahou.com

侯守仁是一位在美國西雅圖的手風琴手，鋼琴手，作曲家和編曲家。他在三個國家長大的背景（美國、中國、馬來西亞）使他的作品表達了其成長文化的多元和傳承，包括多种的語言和融合的音樂。他独立執行並發行了兩張專輯：「家感」（2020）和「雙語」（2019）。

他最新的項目「The Horn Bellows」（2022），是與長期合作者兼朋友Ray Larsen一起錄製和混音的專輯。有興趣的觀眾可以在這裡聽。感兴趣的記者可以到這裡看EPK。

侯守仁和Max Holmberg曾製作並主持了一個現在已經停播的播客，Jazztalk Seattle，是一個持續了五年的關於西雅圖爵士樂壇的月更播客系列。他和吉他手Andy Short一起帶領了搖擺樂隊How Short，至今他們還仍一起演唱和演奏。

Contact Melanie Sehman at msehman@whatcom.edu to arrange for lessons from this instructor.

BASS: SARAH YATES

BASSOON: PAT NELSON

Faculty member Pat Nelson against a brick background holding a bassoon Pat Nelson is the bassoon instructor at Western Washington University where she also teaches courses in pedagogy and chamber music. In addition, she teaches chamber music, music appreciation and music theory courses at Whatcom Community College and maintains a large private studio of bassoonists.

Pat received her Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master of Music Degree in Bassoon Performance from Northwestern University. Her teachers include John Pederson (North Carolina Symphony), Robert Barris (Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony) and William Dietz (Tucson Symphony).

From 2001-2016, Pat performed and recorded with the highly acclaimed Westwood Wind Quintet and appears on 14 recordings on the Crystal Records label. Her dedication to new music has resulted in multiple commissions and premiers including her most recent performance at Boston University of works by Adam Billings.

Pat is co-founder and President of the Bellingham Chamber Music Society, presenting traditional and contemporary chamber music and premiering works by new composers.

Pat has performed locally with the Bellingham Festival of Music, the WWU faculty woodwind quintet (Fifth Inversion), the Pacific Northwest Opera, Melodious Notes on San Juan Island, and a newly formed wind trio “RIOT" She has been a featured soloist with the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, the Bayshore Ensemble and the Skagit Symphony.

She is a frequent clinician and adjudicator in the Pacific Northwest and has been guest artist and instructor at Musicfest in Wales, Utah State Music Festival, Wright State University, and California State University at Long Beach.

Contact this instructor at pnelson@whatcom.edu.

CLARINET: RACHEL YODER

Faculty member Rachel Yoder outdoors holding two clarinets Rachel Yoder is instructor of clarinet at Whatcom Community College, Western Washington University, editor of The Clarinet (journal of the International Clarinet Association) and adjunct professor chamber music at the DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond, Washington). Based in the Seattle area, she performs in a variety of solo, chamber and large ensemble roles, including with the Seattle Modern Orchestra and Odd Partials clarinet/electronics duo, and as frequent substitute with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and Federal Way Symphony Orchestra.

Learn more about Rachel at www.rachelyoderclarinet.com

Contact Melanie Sehman at msehman@whatcom.edu to arrange for lessons from this instructor.

DRUMS: CHRISTIAN CASOLARY

Faculty member Christian Casolary sitting behind a drumset playing Christian Casolary is a drummer, composer, and music educator living in Bellingham, WA.

His music echoes the sounds of Jazz masters—past and present—creating a style that is dynamic, emotional, and open. His highly-developed technical abilities and musicality allow him to explore depth and breadth of expression while fulfilling the traditional role of a drummer.

Christian holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Western Washington University, where he later taught as a Jazz Instructor. He is in demand as a bandleader and sideman throughout the Pacific Northwest. Christian has studied and performed music with regional and national artists such as Chuck Israels (Bill Evans Trio), Ari Hoenig, Gregory Hutchinson, Mike Allen, Miles Black, Eric Eagle, and Dave Keim (Count Basie Orchestra).

Aside from performing, Christian currently works as an Ensemble Coach and Educational Outreach Director for the Jazz Center of Bellingham, teaches Jazz and Drum Set at Whatcom Community College, runs his private teaching studio, and accompanies contemporary dance courses at Western Washington University.

Learn more about Christian at www.christiancasolary.com

Contact Melanie Sehman at msehman@whatcom.edu to arrange for lessons from this instructor.

GUITAR: DEBORAH ANDERSON

Close-up photo of faculty member Deborah Anderson holding a classical guitar Classical guitarist Deborah Anderson makes her home in the Pacific Northwest where she is active as a teacher and performer. She holds BA and MA degrees in both Guitar Performance and Music Theory from the University of California, San Diego. Her principal teachers were Celin and Pepe Romero. She also studied with lutenist Jurgen Hubscher and performed in masterclasses with Celedonio Romero, Angel Romero, Manuel Barrueco, David Starobin and Christopher Parkening, among many others. Ms. Anderson delights in teaching students of all ages and levels! She loves the guitar and she loves her students! She directs the Guitar Program at Whatcom Community College and maintains an active private teaching & online studio in the Bellingham area.

Learn more about Deborah at www.deborah-anderson.com

Contact this instructor at danderson@whatcom.edu.

GUITAR, MANDOLIN, COMPOSITION: TODD SMITH

Todd Smith is a guitarist, composer, and educator living in the Pacific Northwest. He is a music instructor at Western Washington University where he teaches a survey of popular music, all levels of music theory, and music composition. He also teaches guitar lessons and is comfortable teaching acoustic or electric guitar, as well as picking or fingerstyle techniques. In addition to guitar, he is available for lessons on mandolin, bass guitar, or music composition.

As a guitarist, Todd is capable of performing and teaching many styles including: pop/rock, folk/bluegrass/country, jazz, blues, classical, and more. He composes music in all styles including classical pieces for orchestra and chamber groups such as a 2016 commission by the WWU faculty wind ensemble, Fifth Inversion. He also writes music in the vein of jazz, folk, and progressive rock, among other styles.

Todd graduated with a masters degree in music composition from Western Washington University in 2012. He studied composition under Roger Briggs, Bruce Hamilton, and Lesley Sommer. He also studied classical guitar under David Feingold.

Contact Melanie Sehman at msehman@whatcom.edu to arrange for lessons from this instructor.

PIANO: GABRIEL MAÑALAC

Gabriel Manalac Dr. Gabriel Mañalac has been an active performer and music educator in Louisiana and Washington State for the past decade. He studied with Dr. John Murphy at Loyola University New Orleans where he earned his Bachelor of Music-Piano Performance degree magna cum laude, and with Dr. Robin McCabe at the University of Washington where he earned his Master of Music-Piano Performance degree.

Gabriel earned numerous awards and scholarships that included winning the University of Washington Concerto Competition, the Liberace Foundation Music Scholarship, the Guy F. Bernard Scholarship, and the Helen A. Reynolds Endowed Scholarship of Music.
As a performer, Gabriel enjoys playing solo and collaborative works. He was the pianist and celeste player for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gulf Coast Symphony, and the New Orleans Opera. Also, he is an avid chamber music performer with experience in organizing numerous public concerts in New Orleans and Seattle.

Alongside his performance career, Gabriel taught piano to students of various levels. His teaching experience include giving private lessons for children and adults, to organizing and teaching high school-age student group lessons at the New Orleans School for Math and Science. Gabriel hopes to instill in his students the life-long love for all music as well as the desire to share his or her art with the world through performance and collaboration.

Contact this instructor at gmanalac@whatcom.edu.

SAXOPHONES: MICHAEL-PAUL GURULE

Faculty member Michael Paul Gurule against a brown background holding a saxophone Over ten years, Michael-Paul has been exploring the world of acoustic jazz. Living in the Pacific Northwest, he has been touched by several of the established groups from around the Seattle region., identifying this sound as Manocuhe N.W. He had adopted the language of Manouche Jazz with a heavy west coast influence that incorporates the cosmopolitan eclecticism for which the region is known.

In addition to playing and singing Michael has been conducting bands and choirs and composing for large and small ensembles. He is also known for his work in the Bellingham community teaching vocal jazz.

Learn more about Michael-Paul at www.michaelpaulgurule.com

Contact Melanie Sehman at msehman@whatcom.edu to arrange for lessons from this instructor.

TROMBONE & TUBA: AMY FEENEY

Amy Feeney is a performer and educator in Bellingham, WA. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in music from Western Washington University and a Master’s degree in music from the University of Denver. Her principal teachers include Warren Deck, Kathy Brantigan and Dr. Carla Rutschman.

Amy is an active freelance performer. She has performed with Denver Brass, Denver Municipal Band, Bellingham Chamber Music Society and Bellingham Music Club. Amy has received numerous awards for her performances from organizations including the Northwest Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, International Women’s Brass Conference, and Lamont Convocation.

Amy has maintained a studio of tuba and euphonium students in both Bellingham, WA and Denver, CO including serving for two years as the low brass instructor at Cherry Creek Charter Academy from 2018-2020.

She has published an annotated bibliography on American protest music and her research on intersectionality in the Afrofuturist aesthetic was selected for presentation at the 2020 Lamont Colloquium and the 2020 New York State chapter meeting of the American Musicological Society.

Contact Melanie Sehman at msehman@whatcom.edu to arrange for lessons from this instructor.

TRUMPET: VINCENT GREEN

Faculty member Vincent Green against a white background holding a trumpet Vince Green is a graduate of WWU, and completed his graduate Masters study at Arizona State University in trumpet performance. While in Phoenix he performed with the Phoenix Symphony, the Symphony Brass Quintet, and as principal trumpet of the Phoenix Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Green is a very active freelance player in the Northwest playing regularly with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera and the Seattle Symphony. Vince can be heard on dozens of recordings for movies, television and video games. He was first trumpet with the Cathedral Brass of St. James and a member of the Washington Brass Ensemble for more than 15 years. His primary trumpet teachers include Wayne Gorder, Anthony Plog and David Hickman.

Contact Melanie Sehman at msehman@whatcom.edu to arrange for lessons from this instructor.

VIOLIN: HEATHER RAY

Faculty member Heather Ray against a white background holding a violin Heather Ray is an active performer and teacher throughout the Northwest. She held the position of concertmaster of the Port Angeles Symphony and Chamber Orchestra from 2012-2019. Prior to this, Heather was the violin instructor at Corban University in Salem, Oregon. She has also served as an orchestra teacher for the Wenatchee School District, and as a violin instructor for the Woods House Conservatory in Wenatchee, Washington. Currently, Heather teaches violin at Whatcom Community College and music appreciation at Western Washington University. She is a violinist with the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra and a coach for the Bellingham Youth Chamber Players. Heather received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in violin performance from Central Washington University.

Contact Melanie Sehman at msehman@whatcom.edu to arrange for lessons from this instructor.

VOICE: CELESTE FRASER

Close-up photo of faculty member Celeste Fraser in formal attire Celeste Fraser, Canadian-American soprano, has performed a variety of roles throughout the nation. Her recent performances include Tatyana in Eugene Onegin with Hudson Opera, Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito with Opera in the Heights, Suor Angelica with MetroWest Opera, Blanche in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Magda in The Consul, Suor Angelica, Elisabetta in Maria Stuarda, Mimi in La Bohéme, soprano soloist for the Verdi Requiem, soprano soloist for Britten’s War Requiem, and soprano soloist for Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

She is a frequent performer with Boston Lyric Opera and has been an apprentice with The Boston Opera Institute, Des Moines Metro Opera, Victoria Opera, and Opera North. She completed her opera studies as the Phyllis Curtin Scholar at the highly esteemed Boston Opera Institute and has been the recipient of several honors. Some of her recent achievements include winner of the 2021 Seattle Opera Guild Competition, first place winner of 2019 LYRA competition, and 2017 Berlin winner for the Pustina International Competition. She was also a 2015 finalist for the Opera Birmingham competition, and finalist for the Houston Grand Opera Studio/Eleanor McCollum competition, as well as the Bel Canto Competition Finalist and BRAVA award winner.

Learn more about Celeste at www.sopranocelestefraser.com

Contact this instructor at cfraser@whatcom.edu.

Additional Music Faculty

To find music faculty, click the word "Title" at the top of the second directory column and scroll down to the word "Music."

Sehman, Melanie

Departments:Arts%2C%20Humanities%2C%20and%20Languages

Divisions:Heiner Center (HNR)
Title:Music Full-time Faculty
Phone:360.383.3548
Email:MSehman@whatcom.edu

Office LocationHNR 103

About Melanie

Sehman, Melanie 2020

Melanie Sehman is a percussionist, drummer and educator who enjoys performing in a wide variety of styles. A classical percussionist by training, she specializes in experimental and contemporary music that explores improvisation, gesture, the relationships between music, text and the physical experiences of sound. Melanie enjoys collaborative work with composers, performers, and artists in other disciplines, and exploring alternative modes of music making. She maintains a creative practice as an improviser and performs regularly with the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Northwest Opera, Bellingham Chamber Music Society, Whatcom Sound Jazz Singers and the local bands Cat Valley and Hooves and Beak.

Before joining the faculty of Whatcom Community College in 2013, Melanie served as Assistant Professor at the City University of New York, Queensborough Community College, where she taught music humanities, music theory, aural skills, and directed the percussion ensemble.

Melanie received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music where she also earned the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. She completed her Master of Music degree at Arizona State University and Bachelor of Music degree at Central Washington University. Her primary teachers were John H. Beck, J.B. Smith, and Andrew Spencer.

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