Frank Perez is the recently appointed Director of Bands at Baker University in Baldwin City, KS where he conducts the Baker Symphonic Winds, Pep Band, teaches applied trombone lessons, supervises student teachers and overseas all aspects of the university’s band program. Previous positions include Director of Bands and Department Chair at Graceland University where he held the prestigious Vredenburg Endowed Chair, Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Kansas and Director of Bands at Ganesha High School in Pomona, California. He enjoyed eight years of successful high school teaching in Southern California where his groups earned numerous awards and superior ratings at both district and state festivals.
Frank Perez maintains an active national and international guest-conducting schedule. In 2012 he was invited as honored guest, clinician and guest conductor with the Minerva Marching Band of Benemerita Universidad Autonoma in the city of Puebla, in Puebla, Mexico. While in Puebla, he also presented a trombone recital and helped found and conduct the Puebla Trombone Choir. Dr. Perez has guest conducted several conference honor bands in Iowa and Missouri. As a clinician, he has presented trombone and technology clinics/workshops for the California Music Educator's Association, Iowa Music Educator's Association, Iowa Bandmaster’s Conference. He is also the author of several technology review articles for the National Association for Music Education Teaching Music Journal.
In addition to conducting, he maintains active as a freelance trombonist and has performed with ensembles such as the La Jolla Symphony, L.A. Guild Opera, L.A. Symphonic Camerata, Southeast Symphony, Golden State British Brass Band, Arlene and the Gang Big Band, Bones West and the Des Moines Big Band. He has recorded CDs with Bones West, The USC Big Band, and for the NAXOS label with the KU Wind Ensemble.
Frank Perez received Bachelor of Music degrees in Trombone Performance and Music Education, a Master of Music Education degree from the Thornton School of Music from the University of Southern California, and a Doctor of Music degree in wind band conducting from the University of Kansas. Dr. Perez studied trombone with Jim Prindle, Ira Nepus, Terry S. Cravens, Carl Lenthe and Michael Davidson and conducting with John Barnett, Hans Beer, Paul Popiel and Scott Weiss.
Dr. Perez has been honored by Who's Who Among American Teachers, Who's Who In America, Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lamda Honor Fraternities and Blue Key National Honor Society. He is a member of the Kansas Bandmaster’s Association, Music Educator’s National Conference, College Band Director’s Association, International Trombone Association and Lions Club International and was recently invited to become a clinician/artist for Conn-Selmer. He performs exclusively on Bach and King trombones.
Photo Credit: Chris Ortiz