With more than 15 years of experience as a musical educator, Robert Sullivan serves as the band director at Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, TX. He previously held the same role with the Austin Independent School District. In conjunction with his work as a band director, Robert Sullivan maintains membership in related organizations, such as the National Band Association.
The National Band Association recently selected “April Song” as its winning pick for the Young Composers Jazz Composition Contest. The song was composed by Brazil native Cassio Vianna, who is a classically trained pianist, as well as a music educator, who has a diverse background in various different musical styles.
Vianna is a graduate of the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Brazilian popular music. He went to earn a master’s degree in contemporary music at Western Oregon University. Vianna is currently pursuing a doctorate in jazz studies at the University of Northern Colorado. He belongs to the Jazz Education Network, as well as the Society of Composers, Inc.
