Please welcome Professor Robert Blazek as the new Judson University Jazz Ensemble director.
Prof. Blazek is no stranger to Judson, having taught as an adjunct clarinet/saxophone instructor for us for the past several years. He also has been a regular feature in the Fox Valley Music Camp. His résumé is very full, and features conducting studies with Margaret Hillis (founder of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and one-time music director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra), performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (under the direction of James Levine and Seiji Ozawa), and 35 years of teaching and band-leading in area public schools.
In 1998, he became the founding director of the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (https://www.yjed.org/),and we are excited about the potential for some manner of possible partnerships between the JU Jazz Ensemble and YJED in the years ahead. Finally, Prof. Blazek has led local church music staffs since 1984, presently with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake.