TN Musician Vol. 76 No. 1

MICHELE FERNÁNDEZ
Clinician, Tennessee All-State Jazz Band
Michele Fernández is an active clinician/
guest conductor, composer and performer.
Her original works for jazz and wind
ensemble are available through Hal
Leonard, Excelcia/Kendor, Doug Beach,
JW Pepper, Print Music Source/Jazz
Zone, and Michele Fernández Music. Her
works have been performed (as well as
clinics presented) at Midwest, CBDNA,
JEN, IAJE, various MEA’s All-State/
Regional bands. Michele serves ensembles of all ages across
the country through virtual or in-person clinics and Artistin-Residence
events. She recently retired from teaching after
30 years, where her Miami Senior High ensembles earned top
honors and gained international acclaim despite being a Title
One school with practically no resources. Her groups have been
selected for appearances at the Midwest Clinic (Chicago ’93 &
’98), IAJE (Boston ’94, NY ’97), Montreux Jazz Fest (Switzerland
’96), FMEA and national publications. Michele has been featured
on “CBS Sunday Morning,” Band Director’s Guide and Downbeat
Magazine. She has also taught SPED, ESOL, HS English and
Chemistry. Before focusing on writing, she served as an oboist in
the Miami area, and she spent several years as a rhythm section
member of a busy local Afro-Latin/Jazz ensemble. As a clinician/
composer, Michele views writing and clinics as an opportunity
to discuss important aspects of life while also focusing on the art
form of performance, and in so doing, to help others gain more
self-confidence and an increased awareness of compassion for
others that will lead to success in all areas of life.
STEVEN POTACZEK
Clinician, Tennessee All-State Modern Band
(March 21-23, 2024)
Steven Potaczek helps musical artists
and students discover and express their
potential as creative careerists. As a music
producer, he has worked with some of
the top names in the industry (The Band
Perry, Josh Garrels, and Jon McLaughlin
to name a few), and has successfully
partnered with organizations such as MTV,
National Geographic, and the Heartland
Film Festival. He has received numerous
industry accolades (including the Gospel Music Academy’s “Song
of the Year” award and the John Lennon Songwriting Award),
toured nationally as a major label artist with a Billboard Top 40 hit,
and landed musical placements on several prominent television
shows such as Parks and Rec, New Girl, and CBS Evening News.
As an educator, Professor Potaczek has taught at the collegiate
level for over a decade and is a regular speaker at many music
and film conferences and festivals. He holds a Master of Science
in Music Technology from Indiana University and is the
Founding Director of the Commercial Music program at Samford
University. This innovative degree is one of the fastest growing
programs in the School of the Arts and offers concentrations in
the areas of songwriting, music production, live touring and
performance, and music industry.
Perhaps most importantly, Steven absolutely loves inspiring
and educating the next generation of music artists and industry
leaders.
Note: The TMEA All-State Modern Band event and performance
will occur on March 21-23, 2024, at Battle Ground Academy in
Franklin, Tennessee.
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