Cal State Fullerton was gracious enough to open this forum to the surrounding universities in town, including Biola University and Chapman University. The recital hall was standing room only with over 200 students in attendance, eager to learn from the industry professionals.

About the panelists:

KC Porter - This Grammy Award-winning producer, arranger and composer has chart-topping works with such Latin superstars as Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Ana Gabriel, and the late Selena. Porter has also worked his magic with English-language stars, including Lara Fabian, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, 98 Degrees, Brian McKnight, Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men, crossing their hits over to Spanish-speaking and international audiences. One of his latest projects was co-writing and producing Ozomatli’s latest album, Don’t Mess with the Dragon.

Rafa Sardina – Sardina, a Los Angeles based, ten-time Grammy Award-winning mixer/engineer has built an eclectic and impressive client list in the recent years: Macy Gray, Stevie Wonder, Dr Dre, Dru Hill, Jessy Moss, Mariah Carey, Luis Miguel, Sheryl Crow, Soul Coughing, Marc Antoine, Angie Stone and Alejandro Sanz, among others. He has worked with numerous high-profile artists and producers, including Dr Dre, Camara Kambon, Lulu Perez, Babyface, Scott Litt and David Foster. Most recently, Sardina has launched a production company focusing on developing new talent in his state-of-the art studio, open since 2006.

Mark Portman - This Los Angeles-based, Grammy Award-nominated producer/songwriter/musician has worked on over 130 albums, several movies and TV shows. His roster of Latin stars includes Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz, Jaci Velasquez, Cristian Castro, Luis Fonsi, Olga Tanon, Pedro Fernandez, Reik, Ednita Nazario, and Los Temerarios. He has collaborated and worked with renowned producers including David Foster, Phil Ramone, Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley and Latin producer Rudy Perez. Among his other roster of superstars are Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Carole Bayer Sager, Blackstreet, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera, Brenda Russell, Dave Koz and others.

Sebastian Krys - Based in South Florida, this multiple Grammy Award-winning producer has over 20 top ten Billboard Latin Hits, including 9 No. 1 singles and albums. Krys has worked with artists including Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Sandy & Junior, Shakira, Mana, JD Natasha, Jeremias, Long Beach Dub All Stars w/Black Eyed Peas, Aterciopelados, Ricky Martin, Will Smith, Obie Bermudez, Gian Marco, Luis Fonsi, Gloria Estefan, Soraya, Mandy Moore, Jennifer Lopez, and more.

Homero Patrón – This Grammy Award-winning musician, director and composer has worked with artists such as José José, Emmanuel, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Rocío Durcal, Ray Conniff, Barry White, Tom Jones, Nana Moskoury, Raphael, Nelson Ned, Juan Gabriel, Manoella Torres, Vicky Carr, Gualberto Castro, Angélica María, César Costa, Alberto Vazquez, Charles Aznavour, and Jose Luis Rodríguez “El Puma,” to name just a few. Patrón has also produced albums for such superstars as Juan Gabriel, Lucha Villa, Javier Solís, Angeles Ochoa, Ana Gabriel, Yuri, Pedro Fernandez, Vicky Carr, Olga Tañon, Vicente and Alejandro Fernández, Pepe Aguilar, Lucero, Alicia Villarreal, Pablo Montero, Ana Bárbara, Laura Flores, Nana Mouskouri and Marco Antonio Solís.

Kiko Cibrian - Multi-talented producer, musician and vocal producer who has worked with Luis Miguel, Christian Castro, and up-and-coming artists Innis, Jesse & Joy, Patricia Manterola, Souljahz, and Frankie J, Reik, along with projects such at Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of 1997, Billboard’s Latin Series: Best of Pop 1996, along with the Sinatra Duets.

Marco Flores - Flores has produced and written over 400 songs, four of which placed number one on Billboard's charts in the same year (2000), and has achieved an impressive 14 platinum albums and 22 gold albums. His roster includes works with Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Selena, Barrio Boyzz, Donna Summer, Toni Braxton, Bonnie Raitt, Thalia, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Ponce, Jordi, Ricky Martin, Jose Feliciano, and many more.

Conductor Lucas Richman (l) and composer Tim Wynn.

This year’s students are an exemplary group of working film and television composers: Kathryn Bostic (Sundance Fellow, Beyond the Ring, Contradictions of the Heart); Kris Carter (Justice League, Teen Titans); Eric Colvin (NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience, Bark!); Claude Foisy (The 4400, White Noise); Corey Jackson (Left in Darkness, Starting Over); Dave Reynolds (Cruel Intentions 3, Tides of War); Craig Richey (Friends with Money, Lovely & Amazing); Tim Wynn (Reflections of Venice, Chasing the Light). The class is coordinated by BMI’s Senior Director of Film/TV Relations, Ray Yee, and BMI’s Film/TV Relations staff.

The whole group pauses for a photo: (l-r, front): BMI's Ray Yee, composer Kathryn Bostic, conductor Lucas Richman and composer Kris Carter; (back) composer Corey Jackson, BMI's Linda Livingston, composers Tim Wynn and Eric Colvin, BMI’s Doreen Ringer Ross, composers Craig Richey, and Dave Reynolds, contractor David Low, composer Claude Foisy, BMI's Anne Cecere and Philip Shrut.

BMI recently recognized accomplished conductor and composer Lucas Richman with the 2007 Classic Contribution Award for 10 years of service leading BMI’s celebrated Conductor’s Workshop. A BMI composer, Richman has led the workshop since its inception. Presently Music Director and Conductor for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Richman is a leading expert in conducting and composing, having fashioned an outstanding career as a conductor with numerous symphonies and orchestras in the U.S. as well as collaborator with numerous film composers as their conductor for such films as the Academy Award-nominated As Good As It Gets, Face/Off, Seven, Breakdown, Anastasia and The Village.

Past participants in the highly touted lab, include composers Cliff Martinez, Stewart Copeland, Camara Kambon, Danny Pelfrey, Richard Gibbs, Bill Brown, Bennett Salvay, Rolfe Kent, Julie and Steve Bernstein, Anthony Marinelli, Alex Wurman, Gary Kuo, Tyler Bates, Nate Barr, James Venable, Mervyn Warren, Chris Lennertz and Laura Karpman.

Photos: Anna Maria DiSanto

This year’s students are an exemplary group of working film and television composers: Kathryn Bostic (Sundance Fellow, Beyond the Ring, Contradictions of the Heart); Kris Carter (Justice League, Teen Titans); Eric Colvin (NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience, Bark!); Claude Foisy (The 4400, White Noise); Corey Jackson (Left in Darkness, Starting Over); Dave Reynolds (Cruel Intentions 3, Tides of War); Craig Richey (Friends with Money, Lovely & Amazing); Tim Wynn (Reflections of Venice, Chasing the Light). The class is coordinated by BMI Senior Director of Film/Television Relations Ray Yee and BMI’s Film/TV Relations staff.

Highly specialized, coursework will include developing conducting technique, working with live players ranging from piano duet to full chamber orchestra; conducting free-form as well as to click-track, both with and without picture. The musical repertoire for the workshop will range from classical selections to music from commercial films. Each session will be videotaped and critiqued.

Workshop alumni include composers Cliff Martinez, Stewart Copeland, Rolfe Kent, Camara Kambon, Richard Gibbs, Bennett Salvay, Julie and Steve Bernstein, Anthony Marinelli, Alex Wurman, Jeff Beal, Mervyn Warren, Joseph Vitarelli, Tyler Bates, Gary Kuo and Laura Karpman.

A limited number of class auditors will be welcomed on an advanced approval basis. Requests for auditors should be sent to Yee at ryee@bmi.com.

Front Row (L-R): Composer Andreas Kapsalis, contractor David Low, pianist Alan Steinberger, workshop instructor Lucas Richman, BMI's Ray Yee, concert master Endre Granat, BMI's Anne Cecere, and composers Walterio Pesqueira, Joseph Julian Gonzalez and James Venable. Back Row (L-R): Editor Chris Ledesma, cellist Victor Lawrence, composers George Shaw and Mervyn Warren, violinist Mark Robertson, and composers Stephen Ridley, Joseph Vitarelli and Phil Shrut. Photo by Annamaria DiSanto

Designed for composers who wish to refine their conducting skills, the free annual workshop is limited to eight BMI-affiliated professional film and television composers. This year's students included Joseph Julian Gonzalez (Resurrection Blvd., Price of Glory), James Venable (Powerpuff Girls, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Clerks 2), Joseph Vitarelli (Revelations, Last Seduction), Andreas Kapsalas (Black Gold, Sundance Composer Lab fellow), Mervyn Warren (Honey, The Wedding Planner, A Walk to Remember), Walterio Pesquira (Mujeres Insumisas, La Usurpadora, Plaza Sesamo [Sesame Street]), Stephen Ridley (The Sharktank Redemption) and George Shaw (Purity, Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt).

A highly touted lab, past participants include composers Cliff Martinez, Stewart Copeland, Camara Kambon, Danny Pelfrey, Richard Gibbs, Bill Brown, Bennett Salvay, Rolfe Kent, Julie and Steve Bernstein, Mark De Gli Antoni, Anthony Marinelli, Alex Wurman, Pete Scaturro, Mick Muhlfriedal, Dominic Messenger, Gary Kuo and Laura Karpman.

The Workshop is designed for BMI composers who wish to refine their conducting skills. The annual workshop is free and is limited to eight participants who are BMI-affiliated professional film and television composers. This year's students are composers Joseph Julian Gonzalez (Resurrection Blvd., Price of Glory), James Venable (Powerpuff Girls, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Clerks 2), Joseph Vitarelli (Revelations, Last Seduction), Andreas Kapsalas (Black Gold, Sundance Composer Lab fellow), Mervyn Warren (Honey, The Wedding Planner, A Walk to Remember), Walterio Pesquira (Mujeres Insumisas, La Usurpadora, Plaza Sesamo [Sesame Street]), Stephen Ridley (The Sharktank Redemption) and George Shaw (Purity, Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt).

The course will focus on developing conducting technique and participants will be working with live players ranging from piano duet to a full chamber orchestra. Curriculum will include conducting free form as well as to click track, both with and without picture. The musical repertoire for the workshop will range from classical selections to music from commercial films. Each session will be videotaped and critiqued.

A highly touted lab, past participants include composers Cliff Martinez, Stewart Copeland, Camara Kambon, Danny Pelfrey, Richard Gibbs, Bill Brown, Bennett Salvay, Rolfe Kent, Julie and Steve Bernstein, Mark De Gli Antoni, Anthony Marinelli, Alex Wurman, Pete Scaturro, Mick Muhlfriedal, Dominic Messenger, Gary Kuo and Laura Karpman.

"The conductor's workshop is an incredible experience for composers partially because of the brilliance that Lucas brings with him as a teacher, performer and creator," said BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, Vice President, Film/TV Relations. "The participants get the opportunity to work with some of the top musicians in the world while they're conducting, and the actual hands-on experience is one that cannot be duplicated in such a condensed period of time. We've heard time and time again how instrumental this workshop has been in adding skill sets to composers' repertoires."

Richman is an accomplished conductor and composer of music ranging from classical concert music and opera to musical theatre and film. He is presently Music Director and Conductor for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He served as the Pittsburgh Symphony's Assistant Conductor from 1998-2002, during which time he was also a Cover Conductor for the New York Philharmonic. From 1988 to 1991 he was the Assistant Conductor for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Richman has appeared as guest conductor with numerous orchestras throughout the United States, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Antonio Symphony and New Haven Symphony; in Canada with the National Arts Centre Orchestra; and in Germany with the SWR Radio Orchestra of Kaiserslautern. As a composer, Richman has had his music performed by over 100 orchestras across the United States in the last five years alone. The Pittsburgh Symphony most recently premiered his one-act musical, A Christmas Wish, with the participation of the Mendelssohn Choir, the Children's Festival Chorus and the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet.

In 2002-2003, Richman made his conducting debuts with the New York Philharmonic and the symphony orchestras of Baltimore, Knoxville, and Wheeling. He has received numerous awards including the Geraldine C. & Emory M. Ford Award Guest Conductor, Catherine Filene Shouse Foundation Conduct and the Dramalogue Award for his musical direction of the revival of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, directed by Gordon Davidson at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre.

In recent years, he collaborated with numerous film composers as their conductor, recording scores for such films as the Academy Award-nominated As Good As It Gets, Face/Off, Seven, Breakdown, Anastasia and The Village. He received a Master of Music in orchestral conducting from the University of Southern California, where he was a student of Daniel Lewis. He studied privately with Fritz Zweig and Victor Yampolsky, and worked with Leonard Bernstein and Michael Tilson Thomas at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute. He was also selected as a conducting fellow in master classes with Pierre Boulez, André Previn, Herbert Blomstedt and Kurt Sanderling.

A limited amount of class auditors will be welcomed on an advanced approval basis. Requests for auditors should be sent to Yee at RYee@bmi.com.]]> 2006-07-27T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/334866 Artists, Crow, Sheryl, Kambon, Camara, Miguel, Luis, Sardina, Rafa, Musical Styles, Rock, Musicworld, Hitmaker With a résumé stretching from Sheryl Crow to Alejandro Sanz, 10-time Grammy winner Rafa Sardina wears many hats: musician, engineer, mixer and producer.

First breaking into the business as a live sound mixer in northern Spain and the south of France, he translated his affinity for musicians into the studio. "I think that at the end of the day they represent the same craft," he affirms. "The most important skill you develop by being a live sound engineer is the art of knowing what moves people, what techniques convey the emotions you are trying to transmit through the music."

The L.A.-based Sardina believes technical wizardry should be in service to the song. "The lyrics are as important as the music or the production, if not more. The most fundamental way of touching people is through the message."

Recent behind-the-board projects include Mis Romances with Mexican balladeer Luis Miguel, and Mediterraneo with guitarist Marc Antoine. At the invitation of composer/music supervisor Camara Kambon, he worked on the Lions Gate release Madea's Family Reunion starring Tyler Perry. "Camara is a good friend. We go back to my first gigs in L.A. He is an amazingly talented composer and producer, plus it helps that he is a wonderful person," Sardina avows.

Now producing and developing new talent, Sardina first identifies what makes an artist special and then reinforces the strongest points through song selection and songwriting. "It's so important to be very aware of the songwriting/pre-production part of the process," he qualifies. "That's where the magic happens and sometimes those little brilliant moments don't repeat themselves. I always make pre-production the beginning of the recording process; it's where 90 percent of the creativity happens. You have to be there in order to really know the artist and help make the project flourish."]]> 2006-06-25T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234505 Bernstein, Julie, Bernstein, Steve, Brown, Bill, Cavit, Stephen Thomas, Copeland, Stewart, De Gli Antoni, Mark, Gibbs, Richard, Kambon, Camara, Karpman, Laura, Kent, Rolfe, Kuo, Gary, Langsbard, Brian, Marinelli, Anthony, Martinez, Cliff, Messenger, Dominic, Muhlfriedel, Mick, Pelfrey, Danny, Richman, Lucas, Salvay, Bennett, Scaturro, Pete, Speier, Eric, Tin, Christopher, Wurman, Alex, Classical, Film-TV Lucas Richman
Photo: Pittsburgh Symphony

The BMI Conducting Workshop will kick off its eighth year on August 5 at the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 in Hollywood, Ca. "Conducting for the Film Composer" is a two-week course taught by conductor/composer Lucas Richman and coordinated by BMI's Ray Yee, Director of Film/Television Relations.

Designed for composers who wish to refine their conducting skills, the Workshop is free and limited to eight BMI-affiliated professional film and television composers. This year's students include Bill Brown (CSI: NY, Trapped), Stephen Cavit (Blue Vinyl, Chuck & Buck), Mark De Gli Antoni (Cherish, member of Soul Coughing), Camara Kambon (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Biker Boyz, theme for Girlfriends), Brian Langsbard (Johnny Skidmarks, City Confidential), Mick Muhlfriedel (Animalicious, Adventures of ARK), Eric Speier (Complete Savages, Mission Hill, Mullets) and Christopher Tin (Jacob's Gift, Babysitting).

The course will focus on developing conducting technique and participants will be working with live players ranging from piano duet to a full chamber orchestra. Curriculum will include conducting free form as well as to click track, both with and without picture. The musical repertoire for the workshop will range from classical selections to music from commercial films. Each session will be videotaped and critiqued.

A highly touted lab, past participants include composers Cliff Martinez, Stewart Copeland, Danny Pelfrey, Richard Gibbs, Bennett Salvay, Rolfe Kent, Julie and Steve Bernstein, Anthony Marinelli, Alex Wurman, Pete Scaturro, Dominic Messenger, Gary Kuo and Laura Karpman.

"The conductor's workshop is an incredible experience for composers partially because of the brilliance that Lucas brings with him as a teacher, performer and creator," said BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, Vice President of Film/TV Relations. "The participants get the opportunity to work with some of the top musicians in the world while they're conducting, and the actual hands-on experience is one that cannot be duplicated in such a condensed period of time. We've heard time and time again how instrumental this workshop has been in adding skill sets to composer's repertoire."

Richman is an accomplished conductor and composer of music ranging from classical concert music and opera to musical theatre and film. He is presently Music Director and Conductor for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He served as the Pittsburgh Symphony's Assistant Conductor from 1998-2002, during which time he was also a Cover Conductor for the New York Philharmonic. From 1988 to 1991 he was the Assistant Conductor for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Richman has appeared as guest conductor with numerous orchestras throughout the United States including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Antonio Symphony and New Haven Symphony; in Canada with the National Arts Centre Orchestra; and in Germany with the SWR Radio Orchestra of Kaiserslautern. As a composer, Richman has had his music performed by over 100 orchestras across the United States in the last five years alone. The Pittsburgh Symphony most recently premiered his one-act musical, A Christmas Wish, with the participation of the Mendelssohn Choir, the Children's Festival Chorus and the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet.

In 2002-2003 Richman made his conducting debuts with the New York Philharmonic and the symphony orchestras of Baltimore, Knoxville, and Wheeling. He has received numerous awards including the Geraldine C. & Emory M. Ford Award Guest Conductor, Catherine Filene Shouse Foundation Conduct and the Dramalogue Award for his musical direction of the revival of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, directed by Gordon Davidson at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre.

In recent years, he collaborated with numerous film composers as their conductor, recording scores for such films as the Academy Award-nominated As Good As It Gets, Face/Off, Seven, Breakdown, Anastasia and The Village. He received a Master of Music in orchestral conducting from the University of Southern California, where he was a student of Daniel Lewis. He studied privately with Fritz Zweig and Victor Yampolsky, and worked with Leonard Bernstein and Michael Tilson Thomas at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute. He was also selected as a conducting fellow in master classes with Pierre Boulez, André Previn, Herbert Blomstedt and Kurt Sanderling.

A limited number of class auditors will be welcomed on an advanced approval basis. Email Ray Yee to request approval.]]> 2005-07-28T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234239 Artists, Beal, Jeff, Golijov, Osvaldo, Golub, Peter, Kambon, Camara, Kent, Rolfe, Newman, Thomas, Awards, Musical Styles, Dance, Film-TV, Musicworld, Feature Sundance Institute Feature Film Program to explore the process of writing music for film and to create accompanying scores for scenes shot by the Filmmaker Fellows during the Institute's Filmmakers Lab.

Sundance creative advisors include Director of the Sundance Institute's Film Music Program Peter Golub, BMI composer Osvaldo Golijov, BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, Sundance Institute's Ken Brecher, BMI composer Thomas Newman and music editor Bll Bernstein.

The Composers Lab is a major component of the Sundance Institute Film Music Program, which is dedicated to supporting emerging film composers and enhancing the role of music in independent film. First offered from 1986-1989, the Composers Lab was re-introduced in the summer of 1998 to provide a collaborative and supportive environment in which composers can experiment and expand their musical language. The Composers Lab provides valuable first-hand experience in composing for film and enhances the musical understanding of independent filmmakers participating in the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program.

(Bottom row) Scott Johnson, Aiko Fukishima, Michelle Satter, Peter Golub, (middle row) Rolfe Kent, Gary Louris, Pete Fitzpatrick, Doreen Ringer Ross, Doug Murray, Larin Sullivan, and (top row) Joseph Gonzalez, Mark Waters, Kieran Mulroney, Zoe Hopkins, Richard Press, Jeff Beal and Kazuo Ohno.

Standing are Sundance Fellows Peter Fitzpatrick, Gary Louris, Aiko Fukushima, and Raz Mesinai, and BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross. Seated are Sundance Fellow Joseph Gonzalez and Creative Advisors Jeff Beal, Robert Messinger and Evyen Klean.

Pictured in the lab are Sundance Fellow Peter Fitzpatrick, Technical Director Scott Johnson, BMI composer and creative advisor Ed Shearmer, and Sundance Fellows Aiko Fukushima, Joseph Julian Gonzalez and Gary Louris.

(Top row) Documentary filmmakers Mercedes Moncada and Raed Andoni, Creative Advisor John Else, Sundance Fellow Peter Fitzpatrick, Sundance Institute Film Music Program Director Peter Golub; (middle row) Documentary Filmmakers Mark Becker and Hank Rogerson, Sundance Fellows Raz Mesinai and Frank Maccia, Creative Advisor John Adams, Sundance staff Diane Weyermann, Creative Advisor Orlando Bagwell; (bottom row) Technical Director Scott Johnson, Sundance Fellow Joseph Gonzalez, Sundance staff members Meredith Lavitt and Anna Proulx, Creative Advisor Camara Kambon, and Sundance Fellows Gary Louris and Aiko Fukushima.

]]> 2004-10-21T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234130 Artists, Beal, Jeff, Captain, Carpenter, Pete, Features, The, Golijov, Osvaldo, Golub, Peter, Kambon, Camara, Kent, Rolfe, Mancini, Newman, Thomas, Shearmur, Ed, Spears, Britney, Awards, Musical Styles, Classical, Country, Dance, Film-TV, Jazz, Musicworld, Feature, Type, Important, International Sundance Institute Composers Lab, which marks its seventh year beginning July 20 and runs until August 4 in Sundance, Utah. BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, Vice President of Film/TV Relations, returns as a founding advisor.

This year's lab features Composers Lab Fellows Peter Fitzpatrick, Aiko Fukushima, Joseph Julian Gonzalez, Gary Louris, Raz Mesinai and Frank Macchia. During the two-week lab, fellows participate in workshops and creative exercises under the guidance of leading film composers and film music professionals. The Composers Lab participants also collaborate with filmmakers from the Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program to explore the process of writing music for film and to create accompanying scores for scenes shot by the Filmmaker Fellows during the Institute's Filmmakers Lab.

The Composers Lab is a major component of the Sundance Institute Film Music Program, which is dedicated to supporting emerging film composers and enhancing the role of music in independent film. First offered from 1986-1989, the Composers Lab was re-introduced in the summer of 1998 to provide a collaborative and supportive environment in which composers can experiment and expand their musical language. The Composers Lab provides valuable first-hand experience in composing for film and enhances the musical understanding of independent filmmakers participating in the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program.

"This is a program that we've always been involved with - from its inception to its reintroduction in 1998," said Ringer Ross. "By supporting and educating composers who have unique and independent vision, we're helping to foster a new community of original and important music. By pairing it with the Directors and Producers labs at the Institute, we're able to build relationships and understanding of the creative process and help both sides understand the process behind each art."

"Music is a crucial and often overlooked part of the filmmaking process," explains Peter Golub, Director, Sundance Institute Film Music Program. "This Lab provides a unique opportunity for emerging composers and directors to work together in an atmosphere that encourages experimentation. Interest in this program continues to grow and this year's fellows represent an extraordinary level of accomplishment and range of musical experience. We're very excited about the work we'll be doing with them and the impact we have on the fellows in the Filmmakers Lab."

In addition to their work with the Filmmakers Lab Fellows, Composers Lab participants will work under the mentorship of a distinguished group of composers, film composers, filmmakers and film industry professionals. For the first time, two internationally renowned and widely performed composers, John Adams and Osvaldo Golijov, are joining the Lab's group of creative advisors.

In addition to Adams, Golijov and BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, other creative advisors include film composers Thomas Newman (FINDING NEMO, AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE SHAWSHANK REDEPTION), Rolfe Kent (MEAN GIRLS, ABOUT SCHMIDT, ELECTION), Ed Shearmur (SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, WINGS OF THE DOVE, CHARLIE'S ANGELS); Jeff Beal (POLLOCK, CARNIVALE, MONK) and former fellow Camara Kambon (CITIZEN KING, BIKER BOYZ); director Mark Waters (MEAN GIRLS, FREAKY FRIDAY, HOUSE OF YES); music editor Bill Bernstein (ROAD TO PERDITION, AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION); music supervisor/consultant Evyen Klean (ANGELS IN AMERICA, S.W.A.T., REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES); music supervisor Tracy McKnight (EVERYDAY PEOPLE, MY ARCHITECT: A SON'S JOURNEY, THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND); film music agent Robert Messinger (First Artists); and sound designer Leslie Shatz (ELEPHANT, FAR FROM HEAVEN, GERRY).

2004 Sundance Institute Film Music Lab Fellows

Peter Fitzpatrick
Peter Fitzpatrick is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. His band, The Pee Wee Fist, recently released The Rusty Bantam LP with the video "Herons," which he directed. Fitzpatrick is also in the band Clem Snide, whose music is featured in the movie BOOK OF LOVE, which premiered at Sundance in 2004. He recently directed and scored a short film called IRIS, starring a robotic hamster.

Aiko Fuskushima
Aiko Fukushima studied Filmscoring and Jazz Composition at the Berklee College of Music. She has participated in the BMI Pete Carpenter Fellowship, Henry Mancini Institute and Society of Composers and Lyricist mentor program. She works primarily with jazz and classical music to create a unique blend of styles and vocals. Fuskushima is currently working as a freelance composer and orchestrator in the Los Angeles area.

Joseph Julian Gonzalez
Joseph Julian Gonzalez is a film and television composer with credits that include the features CURDLED and PRICE OF GLORY, the television series RESURRECTION BLVD and the Britney Spears' music video "Oops, I Did It Again." His concert music includes commissions for the Kronos Quartet and he has been awarded residencies from Meet The Composer and the American Composers Forum.

Gary Louris
Gary Louris is the immensely gifted songwriter, lead guitar player and vocalist for the Jayhawks - arguably the most widely acclaimed band to merge from the alternative country scene.

Raz Mesinai
Raz Mesinai is a New York-based composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who specializes in Middle Eastern percussion and electronics. His music has been performed at the Lincoln Center Festival, Roulette and the Next, Next Wave Festival, and has been heard in the feature films BLACK HAWK DOWN and THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE, as well as several independent and documentary films. Mesinai also records under the name "Badawi."

Frank Macchia
Frank Macchia is a jazz/classical composer whose works have been performed by the San Francisco Symphony and local professional jazz musicians at the Summer Music Workshop Programs. He attended and later taught at Berklee College of Music, and won Down Beat magazine's DB award for original big band composition in 1979. He has worked with many musicians as a composer and arranger, including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett and many others. He has worked as a composer and orchestrator on many film and television projects, including Miracle, X2-Xmen United, Ghosts of the Abyss and The Tonight Show.

The Sundance Institute Composers Lab receives continuing major support from founding sponsor BMI. Additional in-kind support for the 2004 Composers Lab is generously provided by Alesis, Apple Computer, Mark of the Unicorn, Mackie and Yamaha.

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is dedicated to the development of artists of independent vision and the exhibition of their new work. Since its inception, the Institute has grown into an internationally recognized resource for filmmakers and other artists. Sundance Institute conducts national and international labs for filmmakers, screenwriters, composers, writers and theatre artists.

The annual Sundance Film Festival, a major program of Sundance Institute, is held each January and is considered the premier showcase for American and international independent film. The Institute supports non-fiction filmmakers through the Documentary Film Program by providing year-round support through the Sundance Documentary Fund and a series of programs that nurture their growth, encourage the exploration of innovative nonfiction storytelling, and promote the exhibition of documentary films to a broader audience. Through the Sundance Institute Theatre Program, the Institute is committed to invigorating the national theatre movement with original and creative work and to nurturing the diversity of artistic expression among theatre artists. The Institute also maintains The Sundance Collection at UCLA, a unique archive of independent film.