Duane Davis named Professor of Jazz Voice at WMU

The Jazz Studies Program at Western Michigan University is proud to announce that  Duane Shields Davis has been hired to succeed  Diana Spradling as Professor of Jazz Voice at The School of Music at Western Michigan University. Professor Davis recently retired as Director of Vocal Music at Grand Rapids Community College and is internationally recognized as a vocal jazz educator.  He has traveled throughout the world as clinician and conductor, including recent appearances at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Japan and  Carnegie Hall in New York City. He is past conductor of Gold Company and Gold Company II at WMU, and his arrangements and compositions have been premiered and recorded by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and Gold Company, In addition, Professor Davis serves as the Dean on the staff of the Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Camp. He is married and has three children, two of whom, pianist Xavier Davis and drummer Quincy Davis, are alumni of the Jazz Studies Program at Western Michigan University.