Cameron MacManus named artistic director of UNCSA's Community Music School
Alumnus Cameron MacManus has been named artistic director of the Community Music School (CMS) at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
A trombonist, he served as interim coordinator of CMS since 2015, overseeing new programs including music theory, ear training, children’s chorus, group piano, Musikgarten, and Camel City Jazz Youth Combo, a collaboration with the Camel City Jazz Orchestra.
CMS has been an outreach program of UNCSA since 1976, offering the highest quality music instruction for musicians of all ages. Taught in the Stevens Center downtown and at the UNCSA campus at 1533 South Main St., courses include Suzuki Violin and individual classes in a wide range of instruments taught by some of the area’s top working musicians. In addition to its quality classical offerings, CMS also offers group classes in pop, jazz and electronic music production.
“Cameron MacManus has been a key member of our team for three years,” said Suzanna Watkins, director of Community and Summer Programs. “With his passion for music and his continued leadership, I’m confident we can realize our vision of making the finest musical instruction available throughout the community.”
MacManus moved to Winston-Salem in 2010 to attend UNCSA’s Professional Artist Certificate program in the School of Music. He maintains a performance career as a freelance trombonist with the Camel City Jazz Orchestra; as a substitute musician with the Winston-Salem and Greensboro symphony orchestras; with the Durham-based Afro-Brazilian ensemble Caique Vidal and Batuque; and with many local and regional classical, jazz, salsa, and pop groups. He recently recorded trombone parts for projects by the progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me, and singer-songwriter Becca Stevens. He can also be heard on recordings by the Brian McCarthy nonet, Clark Terry/Louie Bellson, and Nellie McKay.
MacManus holds a Bachelor of Music in studio music and jazz from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Music in jazz performance from The William Paterson University of New Jersey and a Professional Artist Certificate from UNCSA.
He previously was director of music admissions at The William Paterson University of New Jersey, a teaching artist in the Open Dream Ensemble at UNCSA, and a personal assistant to jazz legend Dr. Clark Terry. Other hobbies and interests include saxophone and spending time outdoors.
February 27, 2018