Faculty
MUSIC FACULTY
Shelly Suminski Mahpar received a BM in Trombone Performance from USC as the 2007 recipient of the Robert Marsteller Outstanding Brass Musician Award and received her MFA at CalArts in 2009. As an active freelance musician in Southern California, Mahpar has performed with local orchestras and musical theatre companies. In addition to classical performance, Shelly also performs/tours with local rock and big bands and has recorded for film, television and other media projects. Her career has led her to play in major venues across the US, Middle East and Asia. She is a founding member of the Empress Trombone Quartet, and has premiered works for trombone at the International Trombone Festival.
Devoted to music education, Suminski Mahpar has been involved with local education organizations since 2005. These organizations include YMF, USC’s JazzReach, the LA Philharmonic’s YOLA at EXPO in LA, and the award-winning Harmony Project in Hollywood, CA. In addition to teaching at San Bernardino Valley College, she also serves on the faculty at Victor Valley College, and the Colburn School’s CSPA. Presently, Shelly is serving on the Board of Directors for the Organization of American Kodály Educators.
Ms. Mizutani has collaborated with artists such as Smokey Robinson, Kristin Chenoweth, Peter Cetera, Deadmau5, and Andre Watts, and others. As a regular session musician, Ms. Mizutani has recorded several projects at Warner Bros., FOX, and Sony studios. Ms. Mizutani earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from California Polytechnic University of San Luis Obispo and a Master’s of Music degree from University of New Mexico, where she studied with the late Leonard Felberg. She serves on faculty at San Bernardino Valley College and Riverside City College.
Phillip Pacier is regionally recognized for his diverse skills as a performing musician, conductor and music educator. He is currently the principal trumpet of the La Mirada Symphony and the Orange County Wind Symphony. Phillip has also appeared with the Orange County Master Chorale, Santa Barbara Symphony, Flagstaff Symphony, and the Bear Valley Music Festival. He also spent five years as the lead trumpet for La Sonora del Caribe, a regionally recognized Latin dance band, and has been featured on several recordings both in the classical and popular genres.
Phillip has studied with renowned artists and teachers including David Washburn (L.A. Chamber Orchestra), Boyde Hood (L.A. Philharmonic, retired), and Malcolm McNab (L.A. studio musician). Phillip holds Bachelor of Music degrees in trumpet performance and music education from Chapman University, and a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Southern California. Phillip is also very active as a music educator, and is currently on faculty at Santiago Canyon College, Cerritos College, San Bernardino Valley College, and College of the Desert.
Dr. Robert Winokur’s music has been featured in documentaries, video games, on PBS, and in concert halls around the country. While primarily a composer of instrumental concert music, he has also written for jazz groups, bluegrass groups, mixed-media groups and various chamber ensembles. He has recorded three jazz albums, one classical album and a DVD. In 2014, Robert founded the group Little Mountain Big Band, a community-based ensemble which performs in and around the Inland Empire. Dr. Winokur regularly performs throughout Southern California as a music director and bassist in a variety of styles and settings.
Robert teaches music at San Bernardino Valley College, Crafton Hills College and for the Redlands Unified School District and makes his home in the city of Crestline with his wife, the artist and author Beth Winokur, and their three wonderful children.
Department Accompanist
Faculty Chair
Margaret Worsley
mworsley@valleycollege.edu
(909) 384-8999