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Music Alumni
Alumni in the News
A Grateful Dead Tribute Band — in Drag — Raises Money for Trans Youth in Tennessee
"When Melody Walker and her friend Caitlin Doyle first envisioned the Grateful Dead tribute band Bertha, Tennessee’s legislature hadn’t yet introduced legislation limiting drag performance."
How Steelpan Was Used in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
"Fortunately for Williams’ vision, and the score itself, a new hope emerged thanks to percussionist Greg Goodall who knew someone that could handle the job: Los Angeles pannist and percussionist Tyler Hunt."
The World of Robots: Follow the career journeys of CSU alumni working in the robotics field
"Ken Ballinger’s CSU journey began with pursuing a music education degree at Cal Poly Humboldt, but continued about a decade later as he entered Sacramento State to earn a second bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. For Ballinger, the two seem more connected than expected."
Olson wins statewide Young Musicians competition
"California Federation of Women’s Clubs, has announced that Andrew Olson, Crescent City resident and student at Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, is the recipient of the 1st place award in the prestigious “YOUNG MUSICIANS” state-wide competition."
Featured Alumni
Alumni Updates
Nick De Anda
Music, 2023
Nick graduated this past summer with a master's in classical guitar performance from the University of Alicante in Valencia, Spain. He was one of twelve from around the world and one of two from the United States to be selected to attend this intensive, high-caliber six-month program on the gorgeous Iberian coast. Nick was also the founding member of Mariachi de Humboldt, and can now be found volunteering with Guitars4Vets, teaching guitar to local veterans with PTSD, on top of performing and teaching privately near his hometown in Garden Grove.
Melody Walker
Music, 2008
Music alumna Melody Walker was nominated for a 2025 Grammy Award for Best American Roots song for "American Dreaming," which she wrote with country musician Sierra Ferrell. The song appears on Farrell's album "Trail of Flowers," released in early 2024. The 2025 Grammy winners will be announced on Feb. 2, 2025.
Viola Leone Cottrell Adkins
Music, 1970
V. Leone Cottrell Adkins received her Bachelors (’68) and Masters (’72) degrees in music from Humboldt State. Leone was already a professional musician having played string bass for Portland and Seattle Symphonies as well as being a highly trained opera singer when life‘s turn of events brought her to Humboldt County. At Humboldt, Leone was on staff in the Music department as accompanist and Assistant Opera Workshop Director. Between 2016 and 2019 Leone made several road trips with her daughter to California, documenting the impressive motorcycle racing career of her oldest brother, Jack W. Cottrell.
Arthur Grusensky
Music, 1978
Arthur Grusensky, Music, 1978, headed immediately after graduation to the University of Bologna in Italy where he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and studied at Conservatorio di Musica G.B. Martini in flute. He subsequently became licensed in Ohio, Massachusetts, Utah, Colorado and California. A dedicated athlete he started and ran a small animal hospital in Moab for nine years - mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and kayaking during his time there. Ultimately returning to Hermosa Beach, California he specialized in high speed spay & neuter, studied Filipino martial arts(escrima) and became a world traveller going to exotic locations to trek such as Nepal, the Tibetan plateau(zanskar and Ladakh), bike tour the Karakoram Highway in northeast Pakistan and cross the Himalayas at 13,400 feet outside Manali.
Richard Caldwell
MusicBA, Teaching credentials 1970, 1969
Richard Caldwell, 1969 Music & 1970 Teaching Credential, retired in December after 25 years of Band Instrument repair. Caldwell writes, “Thanks to the College for having a summer session Instrument repair course in 1969. I am still in touch with Val Phillips and Dan Gurnee here 45-plus years later.”
Lewis E Sbrana
MusicEducation, 1956
Lewis E Sbrana, 1956 Music, says life after 33 years of teaching music in public schools continues to be sweet and productive. Sbrana founded a concert band for seniors in 1999 with 12 stalwarts and it's now grown to over 80 members. Making music is the catalyst for bringing people together both artistically and socially.
Joe Newnam
Music, 2005
Joe Newnam, 2005 Music, moved to Mammoth Lakes, Calif, upon receiving his music teaching credential. Newnam rebuilt a district-wide public school music program, which resulted in developing middle and high school jazz bands and choirs. After marrying his soulmate in 2009, the couple purchased a small ranch in Trinity County, where Newnam again rebuilt a very successful district wide music program. During this same time, Newnam released “Sitar Joe, Venus Tribe.” Selections from the album have been featured on syndicated radio shows, and broadcast worldwide from the Middle East to India and the U.S. Last year Newnam and his wife moved to a mountain forest log home on 20 acres in Washington, where the couple raises organic food and animals while caring for their lush forest. Newnam is currently the owner and lead instructor of a private music instruction studio in Washington, plays and studies Kirtan music with a working ensemble, and works professionally as an actor for a SyFy Channel series currently being filmed.
Peter Jain
Music, 1989
Peter Jain, 1989, Music, published his first prose poetry and photography book 25 years after graduating from HSU. “Let the Dance Begin—Greetings from Humboldt” was released in September.
Julie King
Music, 1985
Julie King, 1985, Music, (née Reich) went on to earn a Master's degree in music (choral conducting) but pivoted her career to the nonprofit sector. King is currently vice president of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group and engages in executive search as well as advising nonprofits on capacity building. She also serves on the Board of Directors of BeadforLife, a social enterprise serving women living in extreme poverty in Uganda. King and her husband, Chuck, live in Redwood City, Calif., where Julie rows on Bair Island Aquatic Center's competitive crew team.
Richard Caldwell
Music, 1969
RICHARD CALDWELL, 1969 Music, was in the Navy Band Program for 20 years after graduating from Humboldt State. Since retiring in 1991 Caldwell has been a Band Instrument Repair Technician. Caldwell says he owes his career in instrument repair to a repair class he took at Humboldt the summer of 1969.