NJCU students and alumni have found increasing success in the business world. Their studies at NJCU they have prepared them to enter the highly competitive world of today's music industry. Many have gained greater access to the industry as a result of their work with the MDT faculty. Some of our current students' and alumni achievements and positions are listed below.

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Anders Bostrom (MM in Jazz Performance)
Flutist in the Broadway production Tarzan.

Courtney Grogan (BA in Music Business)
Concert Program Analyst, ASCAP 

 

Pablo Rodriguez (MM in Jazz Performance)

Teacher of Vocal Music, West New York, NJ
2008 winner of the New Jersey Jazz Society scholarship for performance

Robert Edwards (BM in Jazz Performance)
Winner of the NJ Jazz Society Scholarship
Robert Edwards named First Alternate in the International Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition

2008 NJMEA Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble

Alex Canales (BM in Jazz Performance)
2008 NJMEA Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble

Robert Birch (MM in Multiple Woodwind Performance)
Teacher of Instrumental Music, Linden Public Schools, Linden, NJ

Jason Curry (MM in Jazz Performance)
Count Basie Orchestra

ALUMNI ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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Natalya Brook (BA in Music Business, 2005)

Concert Program Analyst, ASCAP

Jeff Nichols (MM in Multiple woodwinds, 2004)
Saxophonist/clarinetist/flutist subbing in the Broadway productions:
The Producers, The Drowsy Chaperone, Beauty & The Beast, Wicked, Curtains, and Grey Gardens.

Julie Ferrara (MM in Multiple Woodwinds, 2005)
Saxophonist/clarinetist/flutist/oboist in the Broadway production
Curtains.  Principal oboist for Dacapo Opera; 2nd oboe/English horn for One World Symphony; 2nd oboe/English horn for the New York Wind Symphony.

Freddie Hendrix (MM in Jazz Performance, 2002)
Trumpeter with Rufus Reid, T.S. Monk Jr., Frank Foster Big Band, Mike Longo Big Band, The Charles Toliver Big Band

Greg Murphy (BM in Jazz Performance, 2006)
Rashied Ali Quintet, Raphael Cruz

Mike Mangeoglu (BM in Jazz Performance, 2006)

Elementary School Music Teacher; Elizabeth, NJ

Pat Cuttita (MM in Jazz Performance, 2003)

Elementary School Music Theatre; Irvington, NJ

Lou Quagliato Quintet

Dan Sullivan (BM in Classical Performance, 2006)

Music Teacher, Patterson Charter School

Ed Kwityn (BA in Music)
Flute technician—Powell Flute Company

Nick Stefanacci (BM in Classical Performance, 2006 )

High School Band Director; Wayne, NJ

Arto Asadoorian (MM Jazz Performance, 2005)
High School Band Director, Belmont High School, Massachusetts

Michel Gohler (MM in Multiple Woodwinds, 2006)

Woodwinds Teacher, United Nations International School

Kevin Kuchinsky (MM in Jazz Performance 2006)
Instrumental Music Teacher, Holland Township School, Milford, NJ

Rick Fontaine (BM in Jazz Performance, 2005)
Woodwind Instructor, Linden Public School district

Margaret Pepe (BA in Music Education, 1996)
Instumental & Vocal teacher, Horace Mann School, Bayonne, NJ

Dennis Argul (MA in Music Ed, 1992)

Instrumental/Vocal teacher Arts High School, Newark, NJ

David Noland (MM in Jazz Performance, 2004)

Broadway Musical 42nd St. International Tour (2004/05), Drowsy Chaperone
Chita Rivera's A Dancer's Life tour (2007)

Debut Recording: Nomad (Jazz Excursion Records)

Nathan Eklund (MM in Jazz Performance, 2005)
Richie Cole Septet, Spyro Gyra
Latest CD Release The Crooked Line (Jazz Excursion Records)

Robert Passenti (MM in Music Education, 2001)
Elementary school band director, West New York, NJ

Dave Crum (MM in Jazz Performance, 2006)

Band Director, Ridgefield Park, NJ

Dave Watson (MM in Jazz Performance, 2000)
Recordings and appearances with Alicia Keys, The Police, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, etc. as part of Chops Horns.

Dave Schumacher (MM in Jazz Performance, 2007)
Harry Connick, Jr. Band; Latest CD Release: Endangered Species (Summit Records)