RCC Music Faculty
Chiharu Sai DMA
Head of the Music Department
Selected by Japan’s major newspaper, Mainichi Shinbun, as “One of the 100 People in Tokyo to Represent the 21st Century,” Dr. Chiharu Sai performs widely as a solo pianist and chamber musician, both in Asia and the United States. Dr. Sai joined the RCC Music Department in the spring of 2020 after serving on the music faculty at Southern Oregon University and schools in New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut and California.
Dr. Sai is actively involved in music education and pedagogy. In addition to her teaching responsibilities at several schools in the tri-state area, Dr. Sai frequently served as an adjudicator for piano competitions sponsored by New Jersey Music Teachers’ National Association. She was also invited to give masterclasses in the US, Japan, China and Hong Kong.
Chamber music is Dr. Sai’s heart and passion. She is heard collaborating with members of Rogue Valley Symphony, North State Symphony, San Jose Symphony and Shasta Symphony. Most recently, Dr. Sai performed with Rimsky Korsakov String Quartet from Russia to a great acclaim.
Chiharu Sai holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, Master of Music from Arizona State University, and Bachelor of Music from Willamette University. Her doctoral dissertation entitled “The Proportional Function of the Cadenza in the First Movements of Mozart’s Piano Concertos” was published by Lambert in Germany. Her debut CD of Chopin’s 4 Scherzi and 4 Ballades was released on King Records of Japan. Of this disc, the critic Yoshiko Ikuma noted Sai’s “deep identification with their celebrated creator’s genius.”
Larry Smith MM
Larry Smith is a teaching artist currently residing in the Rogue Valley of Oregon and specializes in bass playing, composition/songwriting, education and audio engineering. Larry holds a Master of Music in Commercial Music Performance Electric Bass from California State University Los Angeles as well as a B.M. in Jazz Studies and B.A. in Music Technology from California State University Stanislaus.
As a performer, Larry writes, records, and produces his own work under Smittybass: an all bass project where-in the entire sonic soundscape is being created exclusively from his bass. Most recently, Smith has been part of a duo that collaborates on a video project covering influential Progressive Rock songs with various colleagues from across the country. His role includes arranging music, mixing, video editing and organization of all projects in addition to playing bass. In Los Angeles, he had the opportunity to write, record, and perform with a variety of artists as a session musician. Larry is the founding member and composer for MAMA (Modesto Area Music Award) nominated band, Wait For Sleep, which has shared the stage with national and regional acts. He has been in the pit for various musical theatre productions that includes: Rent, South Pacific, Cabaret, and Anything Goes on both electric and upright bass. He has also been recognized with the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in 2008 and Reno Jazz Festival Outstanding Musicianship Award 2013.
As an educator, Larry's most recent position was at St Mary’s School as Director of Music and teacher for grades 5-12. He was tasked with revamping the music program as a whole including but not limited to class development, curriculum, culture and community, and performance opportunities as part of St Mary’s 2.0. One innovative approach to modernize the program was to develop courses that fit the needs and wants of the students and the ever changing world of music. Some of the courses that fit this criteria include: Modern Band, Guitar, Ukulele, Recording and Electronic Music, Songwriting, STEAM Powered Instruments, and other special topics in music. In addition to this position, Larry has been fortunate enough to have taught in a variety of capacities as a graduate assistant for a History of Pop and Rock course, an after school music teacher at an arts focused charter school, rhythm section clinician, and his own private studio lessons.
Larry Smith’s Official Website: www.smittybass.com
Joshua DiStefano MM
Josh DiStefano is a pianist, composer, writer and teacher living in Ashland, OR. Josh spent 23 years with the US Army Bands performing with amazing musicians all around the world. His music has been featured in festivals, podcasts, theaters, and video games. He has performed on multiple recordings, both as a leader and a sideman. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Film Scoring, from the Berklee College of Music, and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies, from Rowan University. www.joshdistefano.com
Nathanael Hooper MM
Nathanael Hooper serves as the conductor of the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon. He has his Master’s in Orchestral Conducting from Oklahoma State University as well as his Bachelor's of Music from Brigham Young University-Idaho. He has been involved in music since he was eleven years old when he first joined an orchestra. He has been participating with orchestras ever since. He has taught Orchestra, Band, and Conducting to students of all ages from 5th grade to college. Nathanael has worked with orchestras all over the United States under the tutelage of professional conductors like Diane Wittry, Carl Topilow, Anna Edwards, Gary Lewis, and internationally renowned conductor Jaap Van Zweden.
Hengjian (Jerry) Su, DMA
Hengjian Su (pronounced Hung-Jien Swoo) is an educator and clarinetist currently residing in Southern Oregon. Hengjian holds a DMA in clarinet performance from the University of North Texas, with a related field in music education. In addition, Hengjian holds a Master of Music from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University. Hengjian currently performs and teaches with the Rogue Valley Symphony and has performed with various orchestras and festivals in Florida, Colorado, and Indiana. As a teacher, Hengjian has led clarinet masterclasses, sectionals, and private lessons at numerous schools within the Dallas Independent School District (TX) and the Poudre School District (CO), as well as at Ashland, Medford, Phoenix-Talent, and Grants Pass schools in Southern Oregon. As a graduate teaching assistant, he has taught undergraduate clarinet lessons, chamber music, film music, Music as Politics, and Music Appreciation. Hengjian’s studies also include apprenticeships in selecting and cultivating various Chinese teas and in serving Gong Fu style tea with Gaiwan. D.M.A. University of North Texas MM Colorado State University BM Indian University
Jon Bennett MM
Bennett earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Southern Oregon University and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Oregon. He has been a music educator for the Glendale School District, Grants Pass School District, and the South Umpqua School District. He currently teaches math at Coffenberry Middle School in Myrtle Creek. He has studied voice, piano and French horn and has performed in many musical groups over the years. He has been director of the RCC Concert Band since 2005.
Pam Nordquist MM
Pam Nordquist was Co-Director of Choirs at South Medford High School in Medford, Oregon. In addition, she directed an advanced group of the Rogue Valley Youth Choruses. Pam is the Founding Director of the Rogue Valley Youth Ensemble, a highly select mixed choir for grades 10- 12. Up until 2013, she was also the conductor of the Rogue Valley Cantare Chorus, a mixed choir for grades 7-9.
Mrs. Nordquist holds degrees from The Wichita State University, the Conservatory of Music-University of Missouri-Kansas City (Master’s in Choral Conducting) and has additional professional development credits from Portland State, University of Portland, University of Oregon, and George Fox University.
Pam has served 12 years on the board of the Oregon American Choral Director’s Association as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Junior High and Middle School Choirs, the Membership Co- Chair, and now State President. In addition, she has recently served as the Audition Chair for the Oregon Music Education Association’s All-State High School Choir, and secretary for the District #8 SOMEA leadership team. In January 2012, the Rogue Valley Cantare Chorus(grades 7-9) and members of the RV Youth Ensemble (grade 10) performed at the OMEA state conference as a demonstration choir for a session Pam presented on quality repertoire for middle level and high school choirs.
Ivan Olinghouse
Ivan Olinghouse has been active as a music educator in the Rogue Valley for many years, assisting the development of young artists as well as that of budding music educators. He has worked in public schools since 2001 and is currently the band and choir director at Lincoln Savage Middle School. He was the interim director for the Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble. Other local ensembles he conducted include the Medford New Horizons Band, Ashland City Band, Three Rivers Community Orchestra, and performed with groups such as the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers and Oregon Bach Festival. Ivan Olinghouse holds a B.S. in Music (University of Oregon) and a B.S. in Elementary Education (Southern Oregon University).
Ivan Olinghouse has been active as a music educator in the Rogue Valley for many years, assisting the development of young artists as well as that of budding music educators. He has worked in public schools since 2001 and is currently the band and choir director at Lincoln Savage Middle School. He was the interim director for the Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble. Other local ensembles he conducted include the Medford New Horizons Band, Ashland City Band, Three Rivers Community Orchestra, and performed with groups such as the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers and Oregon Bach Festival.
B.S. in Music, University of Oregon
B.S. in Elementary Education, Southern Oregon University