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| Biography Information | |
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Rev. Charles Cooper Director of Music and Performing Arts Piano, Hammond B-3 Organ, Vocals Reverend Charles Trenell Cooper, Jr. is a graduate of Echoes of Faith Bible College, earning his ordination in 1987. He earned a duel secondary ordination in 2000 with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches by Reverend Elder Doctor Freda Smith and an ordination into the Priesthood by Episcopalian Bishop Jack Isabel. “Reverend Charles” began his spiritual awakening within “Love All People,” headquartered in Las Vegas. From 1987 to 1994 he served as the Assistant Director and Counselor for this award winning, live-in educational program that provided opportunities to gang members, addicted youth, and high school dropouts to earn their high school diplomas; aided graduates with job placement and provided drug and alcohol recovery and counseling support. Giving up a scholarship to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he chose instead to tour the country with the “Love All People” band, performing in schools, churches, prisons and other community venues and working with such notable talents as Lou Rawls, Rev. James Cleveland, Reverend Charles Moore, and Reverend Timothy Wright. It was during this time that he conducted musical workshops throughout the country, including Lakewood Church in Texas. And, never forgetting his community activism, Reverend Charles has served as the Director of Samaritan Center Food Bank in Oak Park, and continues to work with music instruction for elementary, junior high and high school education providing vocal instruction, music appreciation and music direction for special assemblies through his music program called Music in Motion. At Christ Unity Church, Reverend Charles serves as Musical Director of Performing Arts. He coordinates a team of talented musicians and singers who provides outstanding diverse musical selections through our choir, praise team, soloist, and instrumentalist. And at “A Church for All” Reverend Charles serves as Co-Pastor. Prior to this Reverend Charles served as Associate Pastor at Sacramento Metropolitan Community Church. Whether in church and within the Sacramento community, Reverend Charles is actively involved with the composition and publication of original scores, songs, arrangements and recordings for church worship, musical theater, classroom education and community events. His work includes the award winning Sacramento Music Theater - Martin Luther King Project: “The Dream Goes On;” and as a founding member of Images Theater Company, his original compositions include “Wings of Freedom,” “Everyday People,” “Evangelize,” “Legacy,” and “Hallelujah City.” Reverend Charles also enjoys public speaking regarding positive life choices within various communities, including youth, teens and adults. |
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Chet Chwalik Associate Director of Music and Performing Arts Piano, Keyboards, Trumpet, Flugelhorn As Associate Music Director at Christ Unity Church, Sacramento, Chet performs on piano/keyboards, trumpet and flugelhorn, creates several charts for services and shows, acts as band leader, and has created "CCM", an online web application for all sheet music, for all past and ongoing music. Chet performs frequently with local jazz singer Valerie V and often with drummer Mat Marucci, and has performed with others including Nicole Hodson and Joey Ventitelli, as well as duos and trios, and doing solo jazz piano work. He established his teaching business, The Tuning Note, teaching piano, trumpet and jazz improvisation to both school-aged and adult students. Chet is a professional accompanist, including accompanying the choirs at Folsom High School, Sutter Middle School, and Folsom Middle School, as well as Folsom Lake College and students at UC Davis. Chet also created the TTN Brass Quintet, performing the works of Clarke, Purcell, Pachelbel, Mouret, Handel, Bach, Haydn, Dukas, and many others. He also writes and arranges music for this group. Chet has performed on trumpet with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and the Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra. He has also hosted one of the longest running jam sessions for jazz musicians. Additionally Chet continues to enjoy his heritage, performing at the annual Polish Festival in Roseville, and has performed the music of Poland with his Polish Band, "Pol_Muz, Polska Muzyka z Sacramento," playing festivals both in San Francisco and Sacramento, and several other events. As Chet returns to Ohio he continues to play with groups in the Toledo, Ohio area. Other projects include writing new music, arranging new and old charts for big band and small groups, and doing piano tuning. |
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Aswut Rodriquez Guitars Born to a Native American father and a Chicana mother, Aswut (Osh-What) Rodriguez has embraced both heritages through music that celebrates their conmon struggle. Through studying the roots of the popular music he grew up with, he found that the underlying factor in all of these was the indigenous cultures they sprang from. With the knowledge of his own ancestry, Aswut began to study the functionality of what, in his opinion, music should be. Already an accomplished guitar player at 14, Aswut moved away from popular music and shifted his focus to a traditional Native American path. He practiced native dance and music that would help shape his musical identity. Later he became a youth activist in the Mexican-American/Native American community using his music to spread a positive message of unity, empowerment and cultural pride. Having studied Flamenco, Classical and Jazz guitar styles, and being well versed in technique, he has taken from the three to create a unique sound. This sound is evident not only in his solo guitar work, but in all of his creative endeavors. Aswut has won many awards for his music, including first place in the Black Entertainment Television (BET) True Talent contest for the west coast and third place in the national competition. He also received the Martin Luther King Jr. Music Scholarship for Jazz Guitar and a Sacramento Area Music Award (Sammie) for his original music with his band Raigambre. Aswut has had the opportunity to work with many internationally known artists and producers. He has worked with various professional groups, playing styles such as Gospel, Salsa, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Traditional Mexican and Rock. He has toured extensively throughout California, Japan, Korea, Guam and the Marshal Islands. Currently in addition to his work at Christ Unity, Aswut composes, teaches and continues to play regularly throughout Northern California and the Bay Area. He plays several types of guitar including electric, acoustic (classical/steel string), requinto, archtop and a stringed Salsa instrument, the Cubano tres. He also plays traditional instruments such as the Mexika concha (12 string instrument made from an armadillo shell), mandolina and various others during ceremonies throughout California and Mexico. Aswut spends a significant amount of time as a mentor to at-risk youth who are learning their indigenous traditions. He continues to practice the cultural ceremonies and traditional music he was raised with. |
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Rob Lemas Basses Composer and bassist, Rob has studied with Putter Smith, Bruce Gertz and Art Davis. Performance highlights include European tour with Mike Clark, Bennie Maupin [of Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters] and Joe Gilman Trio. |
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Michael Bayard Drums, Percussion, Keyboards Michael Bayard currently plays drums, percussion and keyboards with Christ Unity Church’s resident musical ensemble “Chakra.” Michael has been affiliated with Christ Unity Church since 1990, and over the past 21 years has collaborated with several of Unity’s ministers on spiritual and artistic projects, concerts and services. Mr. Bayard’s credentials are impressive. His work as a master percussionist and recording artist is renowned around the world. Michael Bayard was Principal Percussionist with the Sacramento Symphony for 16 years. He attended the Juilliard School in New York on full scholarship at the age of 15. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia – also on full scholarship. Mr. Bayard performed his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 16 with the New York Youth Symphony. Mr. Bayard is an international recording artist, a published author, and a critically-acclaimed composer. Additionally, he has performed on percussion and drum set with many renowned musicians including Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, Tony Bennett, and the late Henry Mancini, Mel Tormè, Ray Charles, and the legendary Frank Sinatra. Mr. Bayard’s highly successful percussion program “Rhythm Magic” has been described as “innovative, vibrant, enlightening, dynamic and energizing.” Michael is also the Founder and Creator of Unity’s “Drumming and Music Medicine Circle” – which is a ground-breaking and compelling concert series, which uses the power of music, sound and vibration to heal the mind, body and spirit of the audience and participants. Mr. Bayard’s musical creativity and imagination can be best demonstrated in this video: Click Here for Michael Bayard Music Video Mr. Bayard can be contacted through his two web sites: www.rhythmmagic.com www.bayardmuseum.com |
