JITS: CLINICIANS 2024

Dean Sorenson

Dean Sorenson is an American composer, educator, trombonist, and clinician.

Dean Sorenson is a prolific and highly sought after composer, trombonist, and clinician. His most recent publications, the Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method, Advanced Jazz Ensemble Method, and Jazz Combo Session, are a "must-have" for developing jazz ensembles and combos.

Dean spent two years touring the United States and Japan with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, playing trombone and writing many arrangements for the band. He is a Yamaha performing artist and maintains an active freelance schedule, playing for touring shows and a wide variety of local groups.

Anisha Rush

Born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO, saxophonist, composer and educator Anisha Rush began playing the saxophone at the age of 10. Anisha actively performs as bandleader of the Anisha Rush Quartet. As a sidewoman, she has played alongside Ron Miles, Dawn Clement, Shane Endsley, Art Lande, Greg Gisbert, Annie Booth, and more.

Anisha Rush is also a well-respected jazz educator. For several years, she was the adjunct professor of jazz saxophone at Metropolitan State University - Denver. She has also taught at the University of Colorado at Boulder as well as the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. In 2022, she was selected to join the mentor fellowship at Stanford's Jazz Workshop as well.

Barb Catlin

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Barb Catlin has become one of the leading jazz educators in the Southwest. After eighteen successful years in Arizona, she returned to her home state of California where she directs the jazz programs at Pomona College and the California Institute of Technology. Barb has many accolades as a jazz pianist, including being named as a Downbeat "Player to Catch", but is equally well-known for her tenure as musical director of the highly acclaimed youth honor jazz program, The Young Sounds of Arizona, as well as her years as director of jazz studies at Mesa Community College.

Barb majored in music education on woodwinds at California State University at Fresno, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a B.S. in Music Education, and completed and a Master's in Music Education with an emphasis in Jazz Studies on piano from Arizona State University where she was the recipient of the William English Music Education Award.

Barb was awarded a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by Jazz in Arizona for her outstanding contribution to jazz education in the state of Arizona and was recently named the CMEA "Paul Shaghoian" Jazz Educator Award for 2021.

Gary Mayne

Gary Mayne has performed, recorded, taught, presented clinics and provided masterclasses at Universities, public schools, conferences, and festivals around the world. As a big band performer, he has performed and recorded regularly with groups such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and many others. As a symphonic musician, Gary has performed with a similarly prestigious list. He’s also a rock star who has spent over a decade touring with Big Head Todd and the Monsters and has a deep passion for Latin American music as well. All combined, Gary brings a breath of passion and performance experience to the Reno Jazz Orchestra workshops and education programs.