Faculty

Accomplished musicians from the Greater Phoenix area mentor the next generation of jazz musicians in innovative education programming at The Nash.

Dr. Clark Gibson
Education Director

Music education has been a crucial part of Clark Gibson's career for more than 20 years. Gibson served as Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Northeastern State University. During his time there, he worked closely with guest artists such as Doc Severinsen, Kevin Mahogany, Oliver Nelson Jr., Charles McPherson, Doug Beavers, and many others.

Gibson is a sought-after clinician for jazz ensembles and has judged numerous jazz festivals and saxophone competitions including the National Collegiate Jazz Saxophone competition at the 2016 North American Saxophone Alliance competition. Gibson has a bachelor's degree in Musical Arts from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and master's and doctorate degrees in Jazz Studies from the University of Illinois.

Mary Petrich
Director, The Nash Women’s Initiative

Creative saxophonist Mary Petrich has been developing her own vision for the past 20 years. Her desire to push the boundaries has led her to many projects and collaborations, the latest being the album “Murmuration” with her quartet OpenHand.

With an abiding love for freestyle improvisation and the intimate collaboration of small group settings, she is equally at home playing standards and working in larger group formats. Large group work includes the Phoenix Symphony, the Grammy award-winning Phoenix Chorale, the Arizona Music Festival Orchestra, and the Nash Composer Coalition.

Gregory W. Amerind
Instructor, The Nash Jazz Vocal Ensemble

A songwriter and singer for many years in Los Angeles, Gregory W. Amerind performed with Lionel Hampton and his big band, Ann Jillian, John Astin, and Patrick Duffy, and appeared in The Jazz Singer. In Arizona he has continued his musical career, conducting community, college and youth choirs including the Arizona Cactus Chorus, The Phoenix Boys Choir, ASU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and The Nash Vocal Ensemble.

Amerind teaches music courses at Mesa and Estrella Mountain Community Colleges. His solo CD, "Late Boomer," a collection of original jazz-influenced vocal compositions, is available online. Amerind holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, Master’s of Music in Voice Performance, and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting.

Pamela Morita
Instructor, The Nash Futures Workshop

Trained as a classical pianist, Pamela Morita has always had a passion for jazz and has built a career performing across the United States and parts of Europe including in Scandinavia, Sweden, and Norway. Since Moving to Phoenix in 2000, she has been a regular performer at venues such as Eddie V’s, Nordstrom, and The Nash.

In addition to performing, Pam is an adjunct professor in jazz at Paradise Valley Community College, group piano instructor at Scottsdale Community College, and provides instruction to middle and high school jazz ensembles. Pam frequently leads jam sessions at The Nash encouraging young players to sit-in and perform. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Eric Rasmussen
Instructor, The Nash Legacy Ensembles

Saxophonist, composer, and educator Eric Rasmussen spent years playing and teaching in New York City. He performed regularly with some of the most respected names in jazz and was the Director of Jazz Studies at Queens College. He has played at some of the most prestigious venues in the country including the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

Rasmussen leads the groups Running from Bears and the Eric Rasmussen Tristano Band. He has served as adjunct faculty for Mesa Community College and Paradise Valley Community College and was the Music Director for Young Sounds of Arizona. Currently, Eric is the Director of Instrumental Music and Jazz Studies at Scottsdale Community College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance from California Institute of the Arts and a Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory.

Natalie Gallatin
Instructor, The Nash Legacy Ensembles

Natalie is a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator, recording artist, and activist based in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a 21st century torch-bearer for the performance, education, and re-evaluation of the rich heritage of jazz music.

Driven by a dedication to nurture the next generation of musicians, Natalie has found joy in teaching private music lessons across various instruments including flute, saxophone, clarinet, and piano. She currently serves as the lead intern for The Nash Education Interns at The Nash, engaging in jazz performances and clinics throughout the valley’s schools. Additionally, Natalie shares her expertise as an instructor for The Nash Legacy Ensembles, guiding students through jazz standards, music theory, ear training, and the intricacies of the jazz language, laying a solid foundation for their musical journey.