Dr. Brett Penshorn serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at California State University, Los Angeles, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting and instrumental music education. A passionate advocate for music as a space for connection, personal growth, and authentic expression, he brings to the podium and classroom a collaborative spirit, deep scholarly insight, and a commitment to inclusive, student-centered artistry.
JP Mourão is a versatile guitarist, arranger, producer, music director, composer, and educator based in Los Angeles, California. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, JP’s dynamic career spans performing, recording, and producing across a wide array of genres and settings.
Mercedes Chavez is Assistant Professor of Media Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. Dr. Chavez teaches writing and media studies courses that connect aesthetic analysis to production history and industry economics. Undergraduate courses taught include: Intro to Media Writing, Media, Culture & Identity, Media Theory, and Media Criticism. Graduate courses taught include contemporary Media Theory, Post WWII Media History and Television History & Criticism.
Dr. Michael Caldwell, Professor – Department of Music
Oscar Alfonso Mejía is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Cal State LA.
April Brown is an award-winning journalist and Associate Professor at California State University, Los Angeles. Previously, she was a Producer and Special Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour where she focused on education and foreign affairs, but also covered science, technology and innovation.
Dr. Patti Kilroy (she/her) is an Associate Professor in Strings and Music Education in Cal State LA's Department of Music. She coordinates the strings area for the Department, as well as the Music Performance and Music Education areas.
If you are a string player interested in majoring in music at Cal State LA, contact her today to schedule a sample lesson with our string faculty!
Percussionist and Educator Dr. Adam Snow is the Director of Percussion Studies at California State University, Los Angeles and formerly oversaw the percussion programs at Winthrop University and Davidson College. His diverse musical background has greatly shaped his voice as an artist and as an educator.