JASMINKA KNECHT is a pianist and a music educator. A native of Croatia, Knecht completed a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the Music Conservatory in Zagreb. Knecht moved to the United States to complete a Master of Music degree from Andrews University in Michigan.
Knecht has performed as soloist and collaborative artist in the United States and Europe. Knecht has served as a faculty member at Southwestern Michigan College, Andrews University, Lewis University, College of DuPage, Chaffey College, University of California, and is currently associate professor at Riverside City College.
Ms. Knecht currently teaches Applied Piano (MUS P-12, 12, 38 & 78), Piano Chamber Ensemble (MUS P-36), Class Piano (MUS 32), Keyboard Proficiency (MUS 53), and Music Fundamentals (MUS 3).
Contact Ms. Knecht at Jasminka.Knecht@rcc.edu or 951-328-3712.
|
 |
| Jasminka Knecht |
|
|
I-CHING TSAI maintains an active career as a concert pianist, scholar and music educator. She has appeared as both soloist and keyboard collaborative artist, and performs internationally in the United States, Asia and South America. With her sister, they perform as the Tsai Duo, a highly acclaimed piano team, with an impressive list of competition prizes to its credit and continues to win critical acclaim as gifted artists making a genuine contribution to the marvelous but seldom heard Latin American literature for piano ensemble. Dr. Tsai received her degrees from University of Redlands, Claremont Graduate University, and the National Conservatory of Music “Carlos López Buchardo” in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her teachers include Hao Huang, Louanne Long, Ana Litovsky-Grunwald and Graciela Beretervide, pupil of Claudio Arrau. Before joining the faculty at RCC, Dr. Tsai held appointments at Victor Valley College, Glendale College, Pasadena City College, and the Claremont Colleges. She invites everyone to visit her academic webpage at www.faculty.rcc.edu/tsai
Dr. Tsai currently teaches Class Piano (MUS 32) and Music Appreciation (MUS 19).
Contact Dr. Tsai at I-Ching.Tsai@rcc.edu or 951-222-8196.
|
 |
| I-Ching Tsai |
|
|
SYLVIA HO was presented in her New York debut as a winner of Artists International Competition at Carnegie Recital Hall, for which she received highest acclaim. The New York Times raved: “…her digital facility never came into questions…ease, accuracy and total confidence…a winning charm and a supple sense of rhythmic give and take.” Praised by NOEN ( Austria ) for her “interpretation and virtuosity”, her performances have spread across four continents - Europe, North America, Asia and South America .” Miss Ho’s early musical training began in Hong Kong , where she appeared in concerts and on television at age six. After immigrating to the United States , she studied with Eleanor Sokoloff of the Curtis Institute. A winner of many competitions, Miss Ho received a scholarship to study with Alexander Fiorillo ( a protégé of the legendary Vladimir Horowitz) at Temple University in Philadelphia while earning her Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees. She later attended the Juilliard School of Music as a postgraduate scholarship student of Josef Raieff. As a recitalist, Miss Ho has appeared in recitals at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Philadelphia’s Academy of Music Recital Hall, in Paris la Bibliothèque Polonaise de Paris, Palac Potockich in Warsaw, and Bösendorfer Saal and Palais Auersperg, both in Vienna. As a chamber musician, she has collaborated with leader and principal members of the internationally-acclaimed London Mozart Players. Miss Ho has been featured as a soloist with orchestras in the U.S. and abroad (including the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, the Wiener Residenzorchester and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra). Formerly a faculty member of the University of Texas at El Paso , Miss Ho is listed in the International Who’s Who in Music, the World Who’s Who of Women and the American Keyboard Artists. In 1995, she was invited to perform recitals at the International Chopin Music Festival. Her live performances and interviews have been broadcast on radio stations in Hong Kong and the U.S. (among them WFLN and WWFM). Miss Ho performs regularly in Europe. Her successful performances in London , Paris , Vienna , Rome , Florence , Prague , Warsaw and Berlin had earned her enthusiastic accolades from the audience. Currently an applied music faculty member at Riverside City College, Ms. Ho teaches MUS P-12, 12, 38 and 78.
|
 |
| Sylvia Ho |
|
|
JUDITH JOHANSEN is the staff accompanist at RCC. She plays for all the instrumental students, for many faculty recitals and when needed, for voice students. Her accompanying background includes being the rehearsal pianist for many local professional (and high school and college) musical theater productions. She is also accompanist for the Riverside Master Chorale and orchestral pianist for the Redlands Symphony.
She has a BA from Fresno State in piano, a MM from USC in harpsichord (named outstanding keyboard graduate in 1972), and a nearly completed DMA from University of Colorado, Boulder, in class piano pedagogy.
She taught kindergarten for twelve years (winning the Crystal Apple award from NBC Channel 4) and has combined her experience with pre-school age children into a music course which she co-wrote, that has been experienced by over 2000 children in the Redlands area since 1980. The experience has been put to good use in a class she teaches at RCC for pre-school teachers – Music Skills for Teachers. Judy is also in demand each spring as an adjudicator for the Music Teachers Association of California. She has taught studio piano at University of Redlands and California Baptist University as well as RCC. She has had a large private piano studio at home for 30 years, with many of her students being selected to play at MTAC State Conventions.
When not involved in musical pursuits, she likes to garden, tole paint and play with her two granddaughters.
Ms. Johansen currently teaches Applied Piano (MUS P-12, 12, 38 & 78) and Teaching Music to Young Children (MUS 1).
Contact Ms. Johansen at Judith.Johansen@rcc.edu or 951-222-8335.
|
 |
| Judy Johansen |
|
|
JOEL PAAT is a jazz pianist, composer and music transcriber from Upland, California. He earned a BM from Cal State Fullerton in Jazz Piano/Commercial Music and was awarded “outstanding jazz performer” in 1990. He teaches piano students of all ages (6-86) at Alta Loma Music and earned 1993 teacher of the year and outstanding keyboard instructor 1994-1996, 1998-2005. Also, he teaches jazz piano & theory to many high school and college students who are in jazz ensembles and combos.
Joel is currently in 5 bands, and has performed at various jazz venues including North Sea Jazz Festival-The Netherlands, Montreux Jazz Festival-Switzerland, Blue Note-New York, The Baked Potato-Hollywood and Mario’s Place -Riverside. He has performed with saxophonists Tom Scott, Brandon Fields and Gary Bias; drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Matt Sorum; bassists Kim Stone and Hussain Jiffry; keyboardists Myron McKinley, Scott Wilkie, and Jason Halbert.
Joel is also actively working on his CD recording project, which is due out later this year.
Mr. Paat currently teaches Jazz Piano (MUS P-12 & 12)
Contact Mr. Paat at joel.paat@rcc.edu or (909) 921-5349.
|
 |
| Joel Paat |
|
|
NORMA TOWNSEND received her BS Ed degree with a major in Music (Organ) from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska. She completed her Master’s Degree in Music at UC Riverside. She has worked as an elementary school teacher, adult school teacher and has been an organist and music director for several churches in California. She has been an active member of Music Teachers' Association of California since 1983, serving as president from 1999-2001.
Ms. Townsend has been an adjunct instructor at RCC since the fall of 1993, teaching Basic Class Piano (MUS 32) and Music Appreciation (MUS 19) at the Riverside campus. In addition to her work at RCC, she teaches private piano students in her home and serves as organist and choir accompanist at Hope Lutheran Church, Riverside.
Ms. Townsend currently teaches Class Piano (MUS 32), Keyboard Proficiency (MUS 53) and Music Appreciation (MUS 19).
Contact Ms. Townsend at Norma.Townsend@rcc.edu
|
 |
| Norma Townsend |
|
|
|