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Edward Castro Lecturer - Trumpet Phone: 253-535-7602 Email: castroea@plu.edu Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment Professional Biography Education D.M.A., University of Washington Graduate Studies Music Pedagogy, University of Maryland M.M., Yale University B.M., The Manhattan School of Music Responsibilities Applied Trumpet Lessons Biography Dr. Edward Castro has made it his mission to educate and entertain through music. Born New York City, his formative music training started

Erik Steighner Lecturer - Saxophone Phone: 253-353-2729 Email: steighev@plu.edu Office Location: Mary Baker Russell Music Center - 206 Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment Website: http://www.eriksteighner.com/ Professional Biography Education D.M.A., Saxophone Performance, University of Texas at Austin M.M., Saxophone Performance, University of Texas at Austin B.A., Music and English, University of Puget Sound Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Saxophone Lessons Chamber Music

large, musical family with five siblings, Dr. Anna Jensen was primed to excel at the double bass—while also developing a remarkable capacity for intuiting the needs of diverse learners. She embodies that rare combination of extraordinary musician and dynamic teacher. Her passion for music translates to her deep involvement in education. In addition to instructing at the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University, she is the Executive Director of the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association

Asieh Mahyar Visiting Instructor of Music; Interim Director of Orchestral Studies Phone: 253-535-7617 Email: asieh.mahyar@plu.edu Website: https://www.plu.edu/symphony/ Biography Biography Passionate about performing music from different cultures, Asieh Mahyar is the interim Director of Orchestral Studies at Pacific Lutheran University where she conducts the PLU Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Mahyar is a candidate in Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at Michigan State University, where

Miho Takekawa Lecturer - Percussion Phone: 253-535-7602 Email: takekama@plu.edu Office Location:Mary Baker Russell Music Center - Room 323 Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment Professional Biography Education D.M.A., Percussion Performance, University of Washington M.M., University of Washington M.Ed., Kunitachi School of Music, Tokyo B.M., Kunitachi School of Music, Tokyo Responsibilities Applied Percussion Lessons, Directs Steel Pan Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble Biography Dr

Cassio Vianna Assistant Professor of Music; Director of Jazz Studies he/his Phone: 253-535-7760 Email: cassio.vianna@plu.edu Office Location:Mary Baker Russell Music Center - Room 112 Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment Professional Biography Education D.A., Jazz Studies, University of Northern Colorado, 2017 M.M., Western Oregon University, 2011 B.M., Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2003 Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Jazz Composition and Arranging Jazz Piano

Cameron Bennett Dean of The College of Professional Studies he/him/his Phone: 253-535-7150 Email: cbennett@plu.edu Office Location: Ingram Hall - 101 Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment Professional Biography Additional Titles/Roles Professor of Music Education D.M.A., Piano Performance, Manhattan School of Music, 1990 M.M., Piano Performance, Manhattan School of Music, 1987 B.M., Honors Piano Performance, University of Western Ontario, 1986 A.R.C.T., Piano Performance

Mara Finkelstein Lecturer - Cello Phone: 253-535-7602 Email: finkelm@plu.edu Biography Biography Mara Finkelstein studied cello at the Gnessin College of Music and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow before coming to the U.S. in 1989. Ms. Finkelstein was Principal Cellist of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and the only woman in the all men orchestra. She toured in Europe as a member of the New European Strings, and recently played with that group in a series of virtual recordings during the

Oksana Ezhokina Associate Professor of Music - Piano; Coordinator of Keyboard Studies Phone: 253-535-7604 Email: ejokinoa@plu.edu Office Location: Mary Baker Russell Music Center - 114 Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment Professional Biography Video Education D.M.A., Piano Performance, Stony Brook University, 2004 M.M., Northern Illinois University, 1999 B.M., Walla Walla University, 1997 Responsibilities Piano Studies Chair, Applied Piano Lessons, Advanced Keyboarding Lessons

Edwin C. Powell Professor Emeritus Professional Biography Additional Titles/Roles Term of Service: 2005-2023 Education D.M.A., Conducting, University of North Texas, 2002 M.M.E., University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music, 1995 B.M.E., University of the Pacific, 1987 Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Wind Ensemble Selected Articles Journal of Band Research National Band Association Journal Voice Magazine Accolades 2020 WMEA Hall of Fame Honoree Faculty Excellence Award for Mentoring