Dream Winds and Dream Strings
The Dream Winds and Dream Strings programs are provided through the joint collaboration between the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and the Santa Monica Education Foundation. Music students at the district's four Title I elementary schools as well as instrumentalists at John Adams and Lincoln Middle Schools receive weekly coaching sessions to supplement the curricular instruction and rehearsals.
2018 - 19 DREAM WINDS CLINICIANS
Emily Senchuk, originally from Detroit, is a versatile woodwind performer and teacher, who performs in a variety of musical styles ranging from symphony orchestra and chamber ensembles to musical theatre and jazz big bands. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Composition from Wayne State University where she also studied flute, clarinet, saxophone and piano with Detroit Symphony musicians such as Clement Barone and Theodore Oien, along with top jazz performers in the Metro Detroit area like Chris Collins. Emily has performed with Johnny Mathis, Steve Lawrence & Edie Gourmet, the Fox Theatre Motown Revival, Rick Marghiza, and many ensembles including Torrance and Antelope Valley Symphonies, Composers Ensemble of Los Angeles, and has been a featured soloist with the Palisades Symphony. Emily performs regularly with several ensembles including the Golden State Pops Orchestra and the Orchestra Santa Monica Woodwind Quintet which brings educational programs to hundreds of school children each year and promotes new music by local composers in their chamber music concerts. She also performs with, manages and composes for the Los Angeles Flute Orchestra. Many of her works for flute ensemble have been performed at the National Flute Association’s National Conventions and have received honors in the NFA’s Newly Published Music Competition.
Her love of teaching is equal to that of performing and she has taught privately and in many schools in Michigan and California for over fifteen years. Like her performance resume, her teaching experience is multifaceted and includes private lessons, small group lessons, general music classes, chamber ensemble coaching, and band and orchestra classes. She is a member of Music Teachers’ Association of Calfornia and in addition to teaching privately, she also teaches instrumental music classes at the UCLA Lab School and is a woodwind coach for St. Matthew’s School and the Elemental Band program.
Her love of teaching is equal to that of performing and she has taught privately and in many schools in Michigan and California for over fifteen years. Like her performance resume, her teaching experience is multifaceted and includes private lessons, small group lessons, general music classes, chamber ensemble coaching, and band and orchestra classes. She is a member of Music Teachers’ Association of Calfornia and in addition to teaching privately, she also teaches instrumental music classes at the UCLA Lab School and is a woodwind coach for St. Matthew’s School and the Elemental Band program.
Mrs. Senchuk impresses our students with her performance of "Allegretto" from Suite de trois morceaux by Benjamin Godard.
A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Dr. Meghan Turner completed her initial schooling in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Turner received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Victoria, a Master of Music degree from the University of British Columbia, and an Artist Diploma from the Vancouver Academy of Music. In 2002, Meghan moved to Los Angeles to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, which she completed in 2006. As part of the UCLA Trumpet Ensemble, Meghan won First Place in the trumpet ensemble division in the 2005 National Trumpet Competition. Meghan was an artist in residence at the famed Banff Centre for the Arts during the summers from 2002-2006. Here she had the pleasure of performing with renowned artists, as well as premiering solo works. For her current project, Meghan has commissioned five new works for trumpet, french horn and piano. She will be premiering them in concert in 2013.
Currently, Meghan is a freelance musician, teaching and performing in the Los Angeles area. As well, she is a member and founder of the "Resonance" brass quintet.
A versatile performer, Meghan has played in a variety of ensembles ranging from jazz and salsa bands, orchestras, chamber music and solo appearances. An advocate for music education, Meghan has been involved in music outreach programs through both UCLA and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. In the SMMUSD, Meghan is a Dream Winds instructor at Muir/SMASH, McKinley, Rogers and Edison Elementary Schools as well as being a temporary assistant at Lincoln Middle School. Meghan is excited to be starting her first year as the high brass coach at John Adams Middle School.
In her spare time, Meghan enjoys volunteering at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
Currently, Meghan is a freelance musician, teaching and performing in the Los Angeles area. As well, she is a member and founder of the "Resonance" brass quintet.
A versatile performer, Meghan has played in a variety of ensembles ranging from jazz and salsa bands, orchestras, chamber music and solo appearances. An advocate for music education, Meghan has been involved in music outreach programs through both UCLA and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. In the SMMUSD, Meghan is a Dream Winds instructor at Muir/SMASH, McKinley, Rogers and Edison Elementary Schools as well as being a temporary assistant at Lincoln Middle School. Meghan is excited to be starting her first year as the high brass coach at John Adams Middle School.
In her spare time, Meghan enjoys volunteering at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
Dr. Turner performs a classic selection in the trumpet repertoire, Air Gai by Gerard Berlioz.
Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, trombonist Peter Senchuk performs a wide range of musical styles from orchestral to jazz and rock. After earning his Bachelor of Music degree from Wayne State University, he continued with graduate work at the University of Southern California. Peter has palyed with the Detroit Civic Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham/Bloomfield Symphony, Cypress Pops Orchestra, Bellflower Symphony and Southeast Symphony. As a jazz trombonist he has performed with the likes of Rob McConnell, Louie Bellson, Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, and Johnny Mathis. Peter has also toured with Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson of the Supremes and Chubby Checker.
In addition to performing, Peter is an active composer and conductor having served as assistant conductor of the Palisades Symphony and conductor for the Los Angeles Flute Orchestra. He has scored over 25 films and his jazz and concert works have been performed and recorded in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Peter has an active teaching studio and lives in Culver City with his wife Emily, son Nikolas, and dog Mingus.
In addition to performing, Peter is an active composer and conductor having served as assistant conductor of the Palisades Symphony and conductor for the Los Angeles Flute Orchestra. He has scored over 25 films and his jazz and concert works have been performed and recorded in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Peter has an active teaching studio and lives in Culver City with his wife Emily, son Nikolas, and dog Mingus.
Our students enjoy Mr. Senchuk's performance of Two Spanish Dances by Leroy Ostransky.
Chris Parise began playing the drums at the age of 11. He attended John Adams Middle School and Santa Monica High School where he was active in the respective music programs. Since then, he has played at a variety of concert venues ranging from the Jazz Bakery to Walt Disney Concert Hall. His resume includes performances with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the American Youth Symphony, the UCLA Wind Ensemble, and Grammy-nominated baritone Jubilant Sykes (also a JAMS alumnus). In 2010, Chris received his Bachelor of Arts in percussion performance from UCLA under the guidance of Mitchell Peters. Aside from performing and teaching music privately, Chris currently has a residency with the Q-Bet Quartet at the world famous Culver Hotel in Culver City.
Calling upon our students for audience participation, Mr. Parise plays a song from a popular Disney/Pixar film. Do you recognize it?
2018 - 19 DREAM STRINGS CLINICIANS
Emily Call is a violinist and performer of contemporary music, with a special interest in cultivating collaborative relationships with composers. She is a founding member of the Isaura String Quartet and has performed with various groups across Los Angeles, including wild Up, the Dog Star Orchestra, Wordless Music, Now Hear Ensemble, Equal Sound, and Synchromy, where she was a featured soloist. Emily has performed on many popular LA concert series, including Monday Evening Concerts and the LA Philharmonic's Noon to Midnight new music marathon.
In addition to her work as a violinist, Emily is a dedicated teacher. She coaches strings in SMMUSD elementary and middle schools and teaches beginning string classes at Crossroads School. She also holds multiple roles with Santa Monica nonprofit Elemental Music, where she directs the beginning string ensemble Prelude, coaches violin for the Elemental Strings ensemble, and works as Marketing & Communications Director. Emily holds degrees from the California Institute of the Arts and Bennington College.
In addition to her work as a violinist, Emily is a dedicated teacher. She coaches strings in SMMUSD elementary and middle schools and teaches beginning string classes at Crossroads School. She also holds multiple roles with Santa Monica nonprofit Elemental Music, where she directs the beginning string ensemble Prelude, coaches violin for the Elemental Strings ensemble, and works as Marketing & Communications Director. Emily holds degrees from the California Institute of the Arts and Bennington College.
Ms. Call treats our students to The Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns.
Erin Little is a passionate music educator and freelance cellist residing in Santa Monica, California. A native of Detroit, Ms. Little most recently taught 5-12 grade orchestra with Birmingham Public Schools (MI), serving as the director of orchestras for Derby Middle School and Seaholm High School. She currently performs with the Vicente Chamber Orchestra and serves as the cello/double bass instructional coach for John Adams Middle School. She also teaches elementary music classes for Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, a non-profit organization that provides music education to underserved communities in Los Angeles.
Ms. Little holds a B.M. in Music Education (with honors) from Michigan State University and M.M. in Music Education from the University of Michigan. Ms. Little has additional certification in the Suzuki Method and Music Learning Theory teaching practices. As a professional music educator, Ms. Little is specifically interested in student-driven learning opportunities, technology integration, and innovation in string teaching. Ms. Little has presented at the Michigan Music Conference, ARTS First! Conference, and the National ASTA Conference.
In her free time, Ms. Little is an avid yoga practitioner and Argentine tango dancer. She enjoys pour-over coffee and eating her way through the LA food scene with her husband, Sriram.
Ms. Little holds a B.M. in Music Education (with honors) from Michigan State University and M.M. in Music Education from the University of Michigan. Ms. Little has additional certification in the Suzuki Method and Music Learning Theory teaching practices. As a professional music educator, Ms. Little is specifically interested in student-driven learning opportunities, technology integration, and innovation in string teaching. Ms. Little has presented at the Michigan Music Conference, ARTS First! Conference, and the National ASTA Conference.
In her free time, Ms. Little is an avid yoga practitioner and Argentine tango dancer. She enjoys pour-over coffee and eating her way through the LA food scene with her husband, Sriram.
Introducing herself to our JAMS musicians, Ms. Little performs Camille Saint-Saëns' The Swan.