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Jacalyn Kreitzer
Legendary voice teacher and Cal Poly Student Opera Theatre founder Jacalyn “Jackie” Kreitzer has decided that — after 24 years of teaching at Cal Poly — it is time to retire. Kreitzer wishes to spend more time with her husband, artist David Kreitzer, their children and two grandchildren, and begin work on new projects and adventures.
Jacalyn Kreitzer has left an extraordinary legacy at Cal Poly, where she has not only shaped voices but has also molded young artists and teachers. Her students are singing and teaching across the country, carrying on her tradition of disciplined artistry that merges healthy vocal technique with a respect for both text and score, as well as a passionate commitment to honest, sincere emotional communication. She received the College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Lecturer award in 2002, and in 2015 she was honored for outstanding achievement in the performing arts by ARTS Obispo.
We will miss Jacalyn Kreitzer very much, and want to ensure her students and fans have an opportunity to thank her in person for all that she has done for us. There will be two opportunities: at the Cal Poly Student Opera Production, “Vocal Standards of the ’30s and ’40s” at 7:30 p.m. April 12, in Spanos Theatre; and a reception after the Cal Poly Choirs’ Spring Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2, in Harold J. Miossi Hall of the Performing Arts Center. The reception will be in the PAC’s Grand Lobby. The concert’s title, “For the Beauty of the Earth,” is particularly apt as Kreitzer has spent a lifetime making the world more beautiful. Please join us in celebrating her achievements, and all that she has done for our musical community.
More information on Kreitzer is on the faculty website.
Paul Rinzler
Professor Paul Rinzler, Cal Poly’s director of jazz studies since 1997, has announced that he will retire from full-time teaching this summer. He will be honored at a post-concert reception after the Jazz Night concert which will be held on Saturday, June 1, at 8 p.m. in the Spanos Theatre on campus. The reception will be on the theatre’s patio.
Rinzler has built an extraordinarily successful jazz program at Cal Poly, with a special emphasis on performance of varied and off-the-beaten-path repertoire. The companion to the jazz bands’ wide-ranging concert offerings was the more traditional swing dance repertoire that Rinzler compiled and which was the basis for well over 100 gigs on and off campus throughout his tenure. The jazz bands were invited to repeat performances year after year at swing dances in Santa Barbara, the Strawberry Festival in Arroyo Grande, Homecoming and Parents’ Weekend barbecues on campus, Mother’s Day concerts in San Luis Obispo, and the Jazz Jubilee by the Sea festival in Pismo Beach, among others. He has led his ensembles on tours to Brazil, China, England and Puerto Rico. The performances were met with great enthusiasm and critical acclaim. He and his students were always great representatives of our department, college and university.
Prior to joining the Cal Poly faculty, Rinzler taught jazz classes at University of California, Santa Cruz, for 12 years. He earned his doctorate in theory/composition with a secondary emphasis in jazz pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado.
Please join us on June 1 as we honor Rinzler’s accomplishments and service through his many years at Cal Poly.
More information on Rinzler is on the faculty website.