The following students graduated from Cal State Los Angeles with a Master of Music in Commercial Music:
John Buonamassa's (Class of 2002) credits include keyboardist and musical director for The Mamas And The Papas, Cesar Rosas (of Los Lobos), and several shows on Broadway including Les Miserables and Cats. Currently, he teaches courses in Music Technology, Pop Music History, and Recording at California State University, Northridge, as well as Electronic Music at Pierce College. In addition, John continues to be active as an arranger, composer, and keyboard player in the Los Angeles music scene. He can be reached at jbuona@earthlink.net.
Steve Burch (Class of 2001) is working on his DMA in Music Education at Boston University. The music from his Master's Thesis (Music for the Beginning High School String Orchestra) was published by Ludwig Music Publishing, Grafton, Ohio, in 2002, and is currently available worldwide from J.W.Pepper music distributors. Steve has given seminars on technology in the music classroom for LAUSD teachers, the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, the American String Teachers Association, and teacher training classes at California State University, Northridge. Steve has been Associate Conductor for the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra, and currently conducts the community orchestra at Moorpark College. Steve can be reached at steve@burchmusic.com.
Matt Frazier (Class of 2005), is a former Product Specialist and current Regional Sales Manager for M-Audio. He is also a Digidesign Pro Tools Certified Operator. Matt gives frequent demonstrations using computer peripherals and software as tools for music creation. He leads workshops covering standard recording techniques and composes and records his own music. Matt lives in Seattle because all the blue skies in Los Angeles were just far too depressing. He can be reached at matt@taimusic.com.
Kathryn Grimm (Class of 2001) is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and teacher working in Los Angeles. She has extensive credits on recordings, soundtracks and commercials. To find out more about her go to: www.kathryngrimm.com or www.myspace.com/grimmmusic
Phil Jordan (Class of 2006) is a Grammy award winning trumpeter (Toots and the Maytals - True Love, Best Reggae Album 2004), composer, song writer, producer, arranger, designer, illustrator and fine artist currently living in Anaheim, California. He has extensive credits as a trumpet player both in the studio and live with such bands as No Doubt, Offspring, Matt Costa, Everclear and many more, as well as film soundtracks Thank You and Good Night, Supercop and Water Boy. Phil can be reached at philjordan@pacbell.net.
Payam Larijani (Class of 2003) is in the final stages of his DMA in Classical Guitar Performance at Claremont Graduate University in Pomona, CA. The music and skills acquired from his Master's Concert and Report (The Performance of Guitar Styles from Classic, Modern, and Alternative Rock from 1960s to the 1990s) have led to unique performance opportunities for many VIPs' ranging from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to Former First Lady Nancy Reagan. He is currently teaching in Laguna Beach and Coto De Caza, Payam brings enjoyment to every event by creating an eclectic blend of classical guitar music with other musical styles. What makes Payam interesting and different is his approach towards performance of the guitar and the specific range of repertoire that he plays. His experience, attention to detail, and professionalism are hallmarks of his character! He can be contacted for private lessons, special events, and studio recording. Website www.WeLoveGuitar.com
Mark Adam Watkins (Class of 1998) spread his wings doing what composers get to do- everything. He's been Beyonce Knowles rehearsal accompanist, J.C. Chasez' string arranger, brass and vocal arranger for projects with Debbie Harry, Lisa Loeb, Samuel Jackson, and Isaac Hayes, sung back-up vocals for Brian Setzer, was a songwriter for JackSheldon, symphonic arranger for The New Four Freshman andarranged/orchestrated Lou Rawl's Christmas, his last recording. You can hear Adam's transciption and copywork for the Pageant of the Masters Orchestra in Laguna Beach every Summer. He has taught studio piano, and ProTools, Mus. Appreciation and Vocal Chorus at Cal Baptist University and Central Piedmont Community College. Touring internationally with (2) Rat Pack Tribute Ensembles lead him to recently conduct the Richardson Symphony. Presently based in Charlotte, NC, Adam scored the feature, Seasons of Life" and recently finished a flute choir work called The School House Sketches (Alry Pub.), and writes for various chamber ensembles. You can contact Adam at Mark.Adam.Watkins@gmail.com