Faculty
Our Faculty go above and beyond.
Mark F. Huxsoll, Director, Temple Music Prep
Mark is a leading music education with more than two decades of experience in community-based music education. He held the position of Director of the Kardon-Northeast Branch of Settlement Music School in Philadelphia for twenty-one years, prior to assuming his current post at Temple. He has participated on the Membership Committee of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and served as Chair of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter from 1989-1993. Elected to the Board of Education, Brandywine School District (DE) in 2001 and 2006.
Melissa Douglas, Coordinator of the Community Music Program
Melissa received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education at Wittenberg University prior to her graduate studies in Vocal Performance at Bowling Green State Univ. After her schooling, she worked at the New England Conservatory of Music for ten years, first as the Graduate Academic Advisor than as Director of Residence, later as Assistant Dean of Students, and finally as Associate Dean of Students. She has worked at Temple Music Prep since 1997, assuming the CMSP Coordinator position in 1998.
Jason O’Mara, saxophone, Jazz Orchestra & Jazz Combos
A Philadelphia native, Jason performs and teaches throughout the Philadelphia area. He keeps a busy schedule working as a freelance saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist, oboist, composer, arranger, recording-engineer, and producer.
Jason is incredibly versatile and performs and records in a wide variety of musical contexts including but not limited to classical, jazz, funk, latin, rock, and hip-hop. He has performed with the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, the Lancaster Symphony, the Trenton Symphony, and has shared the stage with many notable performers including Natalie Cole, Frankie Valli, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Randy Brecker, James Moody, and the Temptations. In addition he has performed in musical productions at the Merriam Theater, the Prince Music Theater, The Kimmel Center, and the Arden Theater.
Jason has been a part of the Mellon Jazz Festival, The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, and the Main Line Jazz Festival and has performed at Philadelphia clubs such as Zanzibar Blue, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, and World Cafe Live.
Steve Wilensky, Flute
Steve Wilensky, is currently the Chairman of the Music Department at Central High School, in Philadelphia, PA. Prior to doctoral studies at Temple University, he received his Bachelor of Music Education from the Philadelphia Music Academy and a Master’s of Music in Performance from Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Wilsenky was recently chosen to be a Fulbright recipient in the field of music education.
Benjamin Blazer, double bass, music theory instructor, Director of the String Orchestra
Benjamin Blazer graduated from Temple University with degrees in Theory and Composition. He currently is a music instructor in the Philadelphia School District.
Michael Franchetti, trumpet
Michael Franchetti was a student in the Community Music Program during the 1990’s. After graduating from Central High School in Philadelphia, he went on to receive his degree in Music Education from Temple University. He currently teaches in the Philadelphia School District.
Rhonda Michele Moore, Modern Dance
Rhonda Michele Moore holds a BFA, cum laude, Dance, 1979, SUNY Purchase, Purchase, NY, and is completing her Master of Fine Arts Degree from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. From 1984 to 2008 she performed and taught in and around Verona, Italy. She has wide experience in multi-disciplinary collaborations, and incorporates Afro-Haitian, as well as traditional, classical, dance disciplines into her work.
Danielle Garrett, violin
Bio coming soon!
Heitlinger
Bio coming soon!
Brian Adamczyk, saxophone
Bio coming soon!
Katie Barbato, flute
Bio coming soon!
Graduate Interns
Graduate Interns who teach in the program are assigned by the Instrumental Studies Department of Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance.
