Newport Jazz Summer Camp

Peter Davis is the coordinator of the music program at Salve Regina, where he teaches music theory and directs the jazz ensemble and symphonic band. He is a bassoonist, electric bassist and guitarist, has had several movie appearances as a musician and conductor, and is experienced in orchestral, rock and jazz performance. Davis currently plays and records with the MSD Quintet. He has also conducted in local all-state festivals.

Joe Parillo has performed in Brazil, Italy, Germany, New Zealand and Taiwan and has played nationally and internationally with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and vibraphonist Jay Hoggard. He was featured artist for the Steinway Artists Celebration at Boston Symphony Hall in honor of the 150th anniversary of Steinway and Sons. Parillo has been commissioned to write three jazz ballets and has arranged and recorded more than 25 full-length children's productions. He has also produced "SongBook," "Clouds" and the CDs "Almost Carefree" and "Block Island Summer" for his ensemble as well as the gospel CD "Meditations of the Heart." Parillo has been director of jazz studies at the University of Rhode Island for the past 30 years and is the current chair of the music department. In 2003, he brought to fruition the jazz studies specialization under the B.A. degree as well as the jazz studies minor. Parillo holds a master's degree in composition from the New England Conservatory and has written and arranged music for theater and film. His most recent works have aired on WSBE-TV and the SciFi Channel's "First Wave."

Percussionist and educator Charles Kalajian uses his wide-ranging talents to adapt comfortably to a variety of environments. As a performing artist, he has collaborated with dozens of critically acclaimed recording artists, most notably JVKE. As an instructor, Kalajian teaches master classes and clinics throughout southern New England. He has performed at some of the most reputable venues across the Northeast, including Carnegie Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, Koussevitzky Music Shed, Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center and the George Kent Performance Hall. He has a bachelor's degree and master's degree from the University of Rhode Island.

Wendy Klein has a bachelor's degree in linguistics from Brown University and a master's degree from New England Conservatory. She is an associate professor in the contemporary writing and production department at Berklee College of Music. For the past 30 years, Klein has directed the jazz ensemble program at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, where she is also the conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Big Band. Her performing history includes playing with the Joe Parillo Ensemble, The Criss Cross Orchestra with Obuama Ladd Addy, the multimedia group Consart and the chamber music group Intermezzo.

Steve Skop performs regularly in jazz, classical, theater and contemporary music settings. He has performed with notable artists including Al Martino, Steven Tyler, Danny Kalb, John C. Reilly, Dick Johnson, Michael Musillami, Joe Parillo, Krisanthi Pappas, Walter Flores and Shirley Lewis. Performing at jazz festivals, Skop has opened for international artists Gary Burton, The Yellowjackets and Branford Marsalis. He has appeared in live television and radio performances and on multiple recordings. Skop teaches private lessons, ensembles and jazz clinics through his private studio, Foxboro and Medfield public schools and Thayer Academy. He has taught at Anna Maria College, Assumption College and Worcester State University. Skop has a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in music performance. He studied under Charlie Banacos, Mark Henry, Bruce Gertz, Paul Erhard and Richard Stephan.