Music Success Stories

Learn more about our music program, including faculty and student accomplishments in their respective fields of research, teaching, service, scholarship and creative works.

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• Director of Jazz Studies, Dr. Matt Zebley, was a featured artist as part of the 2021 Concord Jazz Festival. He performed original compositions and arrangements with his band, Oversize Quartet, at the Concord Historical Society.
• DVC Music Professor, Dr. Terence Elliott, was honored at the 10th annual A2MEND (African American Male Education Network and Development) conference at the LAX Westin in Los Angeles.
• MIS student August Alsina reaches 38 million hits on YouTube with his song, "Song Cry."
• MIS part-time instructor Jon Bendich and Tara Kemp win Best R&B song for "Paris In Spring" from The Akademia Music Awards.
• Bret Peppo conducted the 2016 Alabama All-State Honor Choir in Birmingham, Alabama. 
• Dr. Nick Vasallo won a Honorable Mention award for The American Prize in Composition: Chamber Music (Professional Division) 2015 for When the War Began. He was also a Finalist for The American Prize in Composition: Band Music (Professional Division) 2015 for Antares Rising.