Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ GUITAR, Jazz Arranging, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Shawn Purcell, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a jazz guitarist, educator, arranger, and composer in the Washington DC region. Purcell has shared the stage, recorded with, and/or toured with top jazz artists including: Terell Stafford, Nicholas Payton, Tim Warfield, Sean Jones, Brian Charette, Steve Fidyk, Dana Hall, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Jim Pugh, Chip McNeill, Jeannie Bryson, Eddie Daniels, Chris Potter, Jerry Bergonzi, Steve Allee and many others.
Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ BASS, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Jazz bassist Ben Thomas hails from Connecticut and currently resides in Washington D.C. He has performed with Melissa Aldana, Ted Nash, Sean Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, Tony Malaby, Till Brönner, Ari Honeig, The New York Ballet, and Ryan Truesdell in notable venues including The Kennedy Center, The White House, The Midwest Clinic, The Jazz Education Network, Umbria Jazz Festival, Smalls, and Birdland.
Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ GUITAR, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Originally from Miami, Rick Whitehead started playing the guitar at age 11. By the time he was 18, he was performing in shows on Miami Beach and worked with Connie Francis, Sandler and Young, Jayne Morgan, Glen Campbell and others.