Remembering Richard Daquioag
March 17, 2021 By Sylvia Sherman, Program Director In February, CMC lost a friend and colleague. Richard Daquioag, who was a CMC alum, concert hall manager, and most recently treasured accompanist for three of CMC’s Older Adult Choirs: the Aquatic Park, OMI, and Richmond District choirs, died peacefully in his Oakland home in the arms of […]
Students successes on recent exams
Students of piano faculty Christian Bonvin and Matylda Rotkiewicz recently took ABRSM and MTAC Certificate of Merit Exams with wonderful results.
Welcome, Diana Jones, Mission District Branch Registrar!
CMC is delighted to welcome Diana Jones as our Mission District Branch Registrar. She brings creativity, humor, and a passion for arts access to our team. We look forward to all the ways she will help people connect with music-making and reaching their musical goals.
Musical haiku project helps YMP students reflect on current times
Karman Liang demonstrates the musical haiku composing process during a YMP Zoom workshop. February 17, 2021 By Sylvia Sherman, Program Director Last spring, Teen Jazz Orchestra Director Marcus Shelby started a musical reflection process in his class to elicit responses from his students to the COVID-19 pandemic, the shelter-in-place lockdown, and racial justice protests, helping […]
Introducing Chantel Hernandez, Program Coordinator and MDYMP Coordinator!
The CMC community is thrilled to welcome Chantel Hernandez, Program Coordinator and MDYMP Coordinator. Chantel joins us fresh from her work in District Nine Supervisor Hillary Ronan’s office. She is deeply invested in her work in the Mission and is also a talented vocalist. In her work as at CMC Program Coordinator and MDYMP Coordinator she is joining two of her passions—the Mission and music.
“What we’re listening to” with Jono Kornfeld: Spotlight on the Guitar
Jono Kornfeld teaches guitar, in addition to piano, composition, and music theory. His playlist is a journey into the guitar in its various and diverse forms. It should be noted that one of the songs on his playlist is from his funk jazz group Hop Sauce. (He neglected to mention it!)
Take a deep dive with faculty at CMC Sessions
Take a deep dive into jazz, Chinese-American, Latin, old-time, gypsy jazz, and genre-crossing styles with CMC faculty from the Cultural Traditions Department. The sessions offer engaging discussions, inspiring demonstrations, and musical tips in a creative format. Participants are invited to interact with the faculty through a Q & A. CMC Sessions are free and open to all levels of music students.
Review: “Spotlight on Repertoire by Black Composers”
At a recent Piano Department seminar on December 11, “Spotlight on Repertoire by Black Composers,” Jennifer Peringer and Jon Jang presented a remarkable presentation on the contribution of Black composers within the classical canon. Peringer and Jang not only acknowledged the existence of Black classical composers, but the unique compositional voice of each writer.
Welcoming Susan Comstock & Michelle Navarrete
As 2020 comes to a close, we wanted to introduce some of our newest staff members. Both Susan Comstock and Michelle Navarrete started working in July. Like many staff members, Susan and Michelle are both artists—Susan is a visual artist and jewelry maker and Michelle is an actor and singer. We are very happy to have these amazing women onboard.
As the Finance Manager, Susan is a key member of the finance team, partnering with the executive team to manage the financial activities of the organization, Michelle is the Older Adult Choir Coordinator and works with the thirteen older adult choirs in partnership with senior centers throughout San Francisco.
What we’re listening to” with Adriana Marrero: Au revoir!
This month we have a staff member curating the playlist. Adriana is the Program Coordinator and is a vocalist. Her playlist comes from an insatiable love and curiosity for music from around the world. You’ll hear music of Puerto Rico (where Adriana is from), plus a slew of other countries that include Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, West Africa, Turkey–plus a lot of great jazz. Listen to Adriana talk about the playlist in the video below and enjoy!