Music Industry Studies

Bio: Songwriter/Film Composer/Musician Dr. Will Townsley has been an active composer, performer, and music educator for 20 years. Will has composed and arranged music for various ensembles of all levels. His music for film includes scores for four documentaries for Bro N Stine productions (Las Vegas, Nevada) -- Boys of Summer (and sequels), You Should Know Jack, Share the Road, and Redemption of the Fall. As a former Nashville songwriter, Will wrote several songs featured in the Curb Publishing catalog. His song How Long (co-written with Billy Decker) is published with Al Jolson/Black and White Music (Nashville, Tennessee). His songs have been recorded by Jason Ashley, Colt Prather, and others. His composition Blues for Addie was recorded and performed by the UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra on their CD release Caravan of Cool. Will has performed with artists that include Sammy Kershaw, Joe Nichols, Bob Mintzer, and Tom Dumont (No Doubt). He has opened for Jake Owen, Brett Young, Chris Jansen, Richie McDonald (Lodestar), Larry Stewart (Restless Heart), Tim Rushlow (Little Texas), and Blues Traveler. He has performed for major organizations including the Dallas Cowboys and was invited to perform at a songwriter showcase at the world-famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee. As a music educator, Will is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Industry Studies at the University of Texas–Arlington where he teaches courses in recording techniques, songwriting, film scoring, and music business. He has also served as an adjunct saxophone instructor at the University of Texas–Arlington and graduate teaching assistant at Texas Christian University and UT Arlington. Will holds a doctoral degree in saxophone performance from Texas Christian University where he studied classical and jazz saxophone with Joe Eckert. He has also studied saxophone with Tim Ishii (University of Texas-Arlington) and Don Aliquo Jr. (Middle Tennessee State University) as well as jazz composition with Dan Cavanagh and Rick Stitzel. He is affiliated as a songwriter and publisher (Tee Four Music) with BMI.

Bio: Aleyna Brown is a contemporary American composer, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and educator based in Dallas, TX. As a versatile musician and entrepreneur, with a complement of five music degrees, Aleyna’s work serves to both celebrate and recontextualize semiotics of the feminine to include empowerment, ownership, strength, and resilience, achieved through research and collaboration with artists of diverse backgrounds, identities, and artistic disciplines. As a composer, Aleyna writes and codes electroacoustic and mixed-media solo and chamber music. Much of her work in creative coding and computer music serves another layer of activism showcasing femininity in traditionally male-dominated spaces, providing a role model for young women interested in music technology. Aleyna is also an active contemporary music flutist specializing in electroacoustic performance. She enjoys performing works with contemporary extended techniques, improvisation, and electronics. In addition to her performance, composition, and teaching career, Aleyna works as a professional recording, mixing, and mastering engineer in Dallas recording studios. She is also a professional recording artist, with her own debut independent album released worldwide in 2019. She is also a frequent collaborator with national artists, producers, and bands across a variety of genres. Aleyna earned her two masters degrees from the University of North Texas and her three bachelors degrees from the Florida State University College of Music.

Bio: A Philadelphia native, Jamar Jones, according to Jonathon Sprinkles, "is a guy that has been a part of all of our lives in some way without us realizing it." Since 1996, Jamar has been trusted to work with and for some of the music industry's most respected brands as a producer, composer, arranger, and musician to an impressive list of artists that includes Boyz II Men, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Jamie Foxx, Mary Mary, Usher, and the legendary Ms. Patti Labelle. Recognized as a child prodigy, Jamar started playing the piano at the age of 4 years old when his mother purchased a piano for the home following the death of his father in 1981. The piano that was purchased from the Cunningham Piano Company in Philadelphia "became the tool through which I would express all my emotion" states Jones. After attending initial study at the West Oak Lane School of Music, Jamar quickly progressed to being recognized as a young gifted performer through winning the best soloist awards at several stage band competitions in junior high. Eventually, the recognition for Jamar Jones as a dominating young performer would lead to an invitation to be a part of the City of Philadelphia's premier high school jazz students' Philadelphia All-city Jazz Band. It was his participation in the All-city Band that led to his induction to the Grammy All-American High School Jazz Band in 1994 and 1995. While a freshman at Temple University, Jamar co-wrote and co-produced the song, Dear God, for the Grammy nominated Boyz ll Men album Evolution. Jamar continued to work for several years as a producer with many artists but one major highlight of this tenure was producing the theme song for the movie, Hurricane, which starred Denzel Washington and was performed by Boyz II Men with The Philadelphia Orchestra. He has served as a musical director for both stage artists and a diverse range of theater and film projects over the previous 20 years. Jamar has lent his talents as a producer, arranger, composer, and musician to: Mary Mary, Kindred, Myron Butler, Tamela Mann, Kanye West, Janet Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Deitrick Haddon, Crystal Aiken, Vickie Winans, T.D. Jakes, Usher, Fantasia, Mario, Claudette Ortiz, Floetry, Bruce Parham, Vivian Green, Voices of Theory, Jill Scott, Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood, Syleena Johnson, The Rickey Minor Band, Patti LaBelle, Denise Rich, Al Kasha, Rihanna, Eminem, P. Diddy, Kim Burell, Steven Ford, Warryn Campbell, Adam Blackstone and others.

Bio: Mr. Meyer began his musical education at a young age in his native Wisconsin with Piano lessons and Trombone lessons. He attended the University of Wisconsin as a music major, eventually transferring to the University of Miami. While at Miami, Mr. Meyer played in the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra under famed conductor Frederick Fennel. After adding Bass Trombone to his instrument list, he became the Bass Trombonist in the award winning Concert Jazz Band. During this time, he also was active in the orchestras in the large Miami Hotels performing with the likes of Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Tom Jones, The Spinners, and many other major artists. Eventually resuming his studies, he completed his Bachelor of Music degree Summa Cum Laude and His Masters in Music Education from UTA. He continues to be active as a performer on Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba. He is also an experienced audio engineer and accomplished at many different software platforms for music notation, MIDI, and recording.

Bio: Brian Mulholland is an adjunct instructor of jazz bass and music business at the University of Texas at Arlington. Since 2007, he has served UTA variously – from lecturing in jazz history and music appreciation to directing instrumental and vocal jazz combos. As a bassist, he toured with the late jazz artist Maynard Ferguson. During his tenure with the band, Mr. Mulholland's debut album, Deco (2005), was featured in the Maynard Ferguson Presents Series. His recorded performance highlights include Ferguson's Grammy®-nominated* studio album,The One and Only (2007), and the Maynard Ferguson Tribute memorial concert DVD (2007). He has held bass clinics in the U.S. and Canada, judged for jazz ensemble festivals, and performed at International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) and International Society of Bassists (ISB) conferences. During his final year at the University of North Texas (UNT), he taught electric bass lessons as a graduate teaching assistant of jazz bass. Mr. Mulholland holds degrees from the University of South Carolina (B.M., magna cum laude) and the University of North Texas (M.M.) in jazz studies. * 2007, Best Instrumental Arrangement: “Besame Mucho,” arranged by Steve Wiest. GRAMMY is a registered trademark of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc.

Bio: Tom lives in Fort Worth, Texas and he is originally from Brookings, South Dakota. His website address is: tomburchill.com. Tom Burchill is a professional guitarist, teacher and award-winning jazz band director, gifted arranger and composer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. An active freelance guitarist, he performs frequently throughout the metroplex and has impacted many lives through his teaching and his music. Tom teaches private guitar at the University of Texas at Arlington. Tom held the position of jazz band director at Weatherford College for 13 years. He is a highly sought-after clinician and private instructor and teaches at jazz education camps each summer. During his tenure as a jazz educator he has had the privilege of performing with a variety of jazz artists including Clark Terry, Peanuts Hucko, Joey Defrancesco, Randy Brecker, Peter Erskione, Marcel Ivory, David Fathead Newman, James Clay, Marvin Stamm, John Fedchock, Bill Watrous and Phil Woods among others. An excellent, motivational teacher, Tom is proud of the students he has had the privilege to teach. Altogether, his former students have won more than 20 Grammy awards and have gone on to play with such artists as Snarky Puppy, Count Basie Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, The Lincoln Center Band, Leon Bridges, Little Big Town, Tori Kelly, Miranda Lambert, Kirk Franklin, Toby Keith, Erika Badu, Prince, Snoop Dogg, Frank Foster, Mumford and Sons, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Sheryl Crow. Tom has performed with a number of revered artists and was honored to accompany the late, great Luciano Pavarotti in February of 2002 at his performance at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. He plays regularly with the Fort Worth Symphony where he has performed with artists such as Willie Nelson, Bernadette Peters, Michael Feinstein, Monica Mancini, and Art Garfunkel. Tom is also a member of the local group, Brasuka which plays original Brazilian jazz in a style reminiscent of Sergio Mendez. Their first project of all original compositions is to be released in the fall of 2021. They performed at the JEN conference in Dallas (2018), the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival (2019), and play frequently at The Kitchen in Dallas as well as other venues around the Dallas and Fort Worth area. Burchill earned a Bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance from the University of South Dakota and a Master’s degree in Jazz Education at the University of North Texas where he was a part of the jazz bands, jazz small groups, guitar ensembles and jazz singers.

Bio: Refreshing and beautiful are how many have described the voice and persona of Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield, a jazz vocalist, musician, composer, and educator from Fort Worth, Texas. “LadyMay” (as she has been named) has been singing and playing jazz music since the tender age of thirteen. Since then, she has performed in various venues and festivals throughout the U.S. and abroad, which in turn have earned her rave reviews from listeners and musicians in addition to numerous awards. In 2017, “LadyMay” was awarded 2nd place in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocals Competition held at NJPAC in New Jersey. In that same year, she received the “Jazz Innovators Award” from Dallas, TX as part of Jazz Appreciation Month for her contributions to jazz education for young people in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Mayfield was also chosen as one of the twelve semi-finalists to compete in the prestigious 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition that was held in Washington, D.C before a legendary panel of judges. In the summer of 2019, the city of Fort Worth awarded her with a “Legend In The Making” award at their annual “Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legends Awards” for her accomplishments in entertainment and education. In addition to several other awards, she is also a 2006 YoungArts winner for Jazz Voice. She has also appeared on Dallas/Ft. Worth’s news television show WFAA “Good Morning Texas” four times since 2011. Mayfield has opened for several well-known artists such as Kirk Whalum, Will Downing, Randy Brecker, Dave Valentin, Bobbi Humphrey, and The Main Ingredient. LadyMay has also performed in 3 concerts between 2016-2018 with the legendary Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. The first concert was a tribute celebrating African-American women in music entitled “I’m Every Woman”, then again for their Independence Day “Patriotic Pops: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the USO”, and as of late in the “Classical Roots: Under One Roof” concert honoring the diverse history of the historic Music Hall where they perform. Mayfield has also performed with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina in the spring of 2018. “LadyMay” has recorded three albums, From All Directions (2009), A Portrait Of LadyMay (2012), and The Next Chapter (2018). The first album From All Directions was recorded while she was still attending the University of North Texas, where she received a B.M. in Jazz Studies. Jazz journalist Scott Yanow described her voice on her debut album From All Directions (2009) as “attractive” with “excellent elocution” and a “joyful spirit”. On her sophomore album A Portrait Of LadyMay (2012), Harvey Siders, former writer of JazzTimes and Downbeat magazines, describes her intonation as “flawless” and her scatting “as natural as breathing.” In addition to her vocal skills, she plays piano, trombone, composes, and teaches voice and music theory. In May of 2017, she was awarded 3rd place in the “Performance” category of the International Songwriting Competition for her original song “Forgive Me Someday” from her latest album The Next Chapter. LadyMay’s appeal has also reached listeners abroad in the UK, Switzerland, Germany, France, Nigeria, and Brazil. Her music has been featured on several international radio stations such as “Mi-Soul Radio”,“Solar Radio”, “Jazz FM”, “Tropical FM”, and “Premier Gospel Radio” in the UK, “RJM Radio” in France, and “Smooth 98.1” in Nigeria. In November 2012, her song “Real” from A Portrait Of LadyMay reached #1 on the “UK Soul Chart”. In July of 2013, she completed her first tour (LadyMay In The UK) to London where she was widely received on radio appearances, as well as at some of their top performance venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express in Soho, and the Flyover Portobello. UK based record store “Soul Brother Records” labeled “A Portrait Of LadyMay” as one of their “Best New Jazz Releases of 2013”. In 2020, she was featured in a Dallas Morning News article about her experiences as artist and educator. In addition, she contributed an article to the ISJAC (International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers) about her experience as a black woman composer and performer, earning a master’s degree during a pandemic, and being the first African American person to receive a master’s degree in Jazz Composition at the University of Texas at Arlington. As an educator, Mayfield is an adjunct professor of commercial voice at Dallas College-Cedar Valley Campus in Lancaster, TX and has previously taught jazz voice for the University Of North Texas in Denton, Texas. In 2019, she taught in Zhuhai, China for the Golden Jazz Henquin Jazz Week and performed in the “Crossing Music and New Generation Jazz Festival”. Mayfield recently received a master’s degree in Jazz Composition from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). For more information on Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield, visit www.tatianamayfield.com.