2007 Faculty

Rick Glascock is an active performer and educator in the Austin area. He was band director and head of jazz studies at Covington Middle School. He received his Masters in Music from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He spent 5 years in Guadalajara, Mexico as principal percussionist with the Jalisco State Philharmonic Orchestra, and was vibraphonist and leader of a popular jazz ensemble, The Jazz Connection. In Austin Rick performs as both a vibraphonist and drummer.

Shane Pitsch is currently working on the completion of his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in trumpet performance and literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studied with Ray Sasaki, Michael Ewald, and Ronald Romm. Mr. Pitsch received his master's degree from Eastern Illinois University and bachelor's degree in trumpet performance (jazz emphasis) from the University of Texas at Austin. Comfortable playing in a wide variety of styles, Shane has performed with artists such as Willie Nelson, The Drifters, Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave), Maria Schneider, Wayne Shorter, and Steve Turre. Shane is currently the trumpet teacher at several Austin and central Texas schools and plays with several Austin area bands, including Blind Date, Ghandaia, and O Positivo.

Ponder East began piano lessons at age 5 and saxophone lessons at age 11. He went on to pursue music in college, graduating from the University of North Texas with a degree in Music Education.  Since moving to Austin, he has performed, arranged, and composed with EAST, Creeker, Indagroove, The Bright Lights Society, Funk Shui, Global Soul, Austin Knights Brass Band and Concordia University Jazz Ensemble. Prior to Austin, he taught in Wylie ISD and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. He is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at LBJ and LASA High Schools, directs the AISD All-City high school jazz band, and teaches private saxophone lessons.

Mike Elam, a conductor, composer, trumpeter and visual artist, he studied conducting and ear training at the Medomak Conductors Retreat in Washington, Maine. He has improvised funk, jazz and rock in Germany, France, Holland, Czech Republic as well as performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He studied conducting with Yoel Levi and arranging with Sammy Nestico while at The University of Georgia. Performing and recording credits include: Abra Moore, Primm , Libby Kirkpatrick, The Elam Jazztet. He is creator of The CandleOpera and FUNK SHUI.

Glenn Rexach is one of Austin’s first call jazz guitarists, Mr. Rexach has more than 25 years of experience on both guitar and bass. He has mastered styles ranging from jazz, rock and blues to Latin, Middle Eastern and World Beat music. He has played locally with Shawn Colvin, Tony Campise, tenor legend Eddie Harris, world-renowned oud master Simon Shaheen, Dr. James Polk, The Gypsies, La Tribu and many others; in addition, he has toured with Will Taylor and Strings Attached, the Vanguards and Ta Mere. Glenn's recording credits include master drummer Terry Bozzio, Brannen Temple, Centzontle, Sue Young, Terry Bohness, Heather Bennett, and the Austin Jazz workshop. He is a featured guitarist on the CD "Texas Guitar Slingers" and can be heard locally playing his original compositions with the Glenn Rexach Trio.