Dr. Erik Shinn, adjunct lecturer with the School of Music at the University of Florida, was invited to participate in the first ever Trombone Choir to visit Cuba. Led by Professor Mark Lusk of The Pennsylvania State University and comprised of PSU alumni, the Choir performed throughout the city of Santiago de Cuba. In addition, master classes and philanthropic opportunities allowed the trombonists to show their appreciation for the Cuban musicians and culture.
Afterwards, Dr. Shinn joined the administration of the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, where he was the Housing Director for the Academy’s eight-week 70th-anniversary season. Music Academy of the West is consistently one of the top summer festivals for upcoming classically trained musicians with just under 2000 applicants applying for 137 fellowships in 2017.
Lastly, the Brevard Music Center released it’s Alumni Trombone Choir CD Night Sounds, which was recorded during the summer of 2016. While working as Assistant Dean of the College Division, Dr. Shinn performed with the Choir throughout the summer and can be heard on almost every track alongside faculty David Jackson (University of Michigan), Dan Satterwhite (Lynn Conservatory) and Chicago Symphony Bass Trombonist Charles Vernon.
