News & Events

“Women in Music” – Panel to feature Asheville performers, teachers, radio host

March 12, 2013

A panel of area musicians, teachers and others will provide an update on women's experiences in the music business. "Women in Music," part of UNC Asheville's observance of Women's History Month, is co-sponsored by the university's Department of Music and the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program. The event takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21 in the Highsmith University Union Grotto on campus.

The panel will include Stephanie Morgan, one of Asheville's best-known indy rock musicians, artists in the Latin, African, classical and jazz music fields,and teachers and administrators in some of Asheville's key musical institutions. The panelists will include:

• Christy Clavo, African music specialist who has performed with close ties to Zimbabwe, performing with Zimbabwean musicians in many events in North America and Europe over 15 years; performs solo and with Chikomo Marimba, Asheville Sound Collective and Zabumba Samba; teaches Mbira and vocal improvisation
• Anne Coombs, rock musician and founder of Asheville Music School; founder and proprietor of The Music Academy Asheville and Rock Academy in West Ashevile; founder and director of music education for the non-profit Give to the Music
• Courtney Hall, composer, musician and audio engineer; plays alto sax with bands Common Foundation and Dub Kartel; studio musician who plays in many genres; composed full-length movie score for independent film "869"
• Rita Hayes, WCQS-FM classical music program host; flutist with Asheville Symphony Orchestra, several chamber orchestras, Braidstream (classical/jazz/Celtic/world music), and Nuance Jazz; adjunct instructor at Brevard College; studio musician and voice-over artist
• Stephanie Morgan, leader of several bands including stephaniesid and Crybaby; founder and director of the Pop Asheville music festival; private voice teacher and voice-over artist
• Whitney Moore, vocalist; songwriter; band leader; Latin music specialist; teaches at The Music Academy Asheville and Francine Delany New School for Children
• Amy Rae, leader of the bands Vitamin Love, The Amy Rae Band, The Swing Rays; performs with Tuxedo Junction; vocalist and multi-instrumentalist; director of Asheville Music School
• Mary Jo Sparrow, director of band and jazz band programs at North Buncombe Middle School.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the UNC Asheville Department of Music at 828.251.6432.