JEFF QUAMO

Jeff moved to Arizona in 2004 to pursue his doctorate studies in Clarinet Performance with Dr. Robert Spring at Arizona State University.  He completed his DMA in Clarinet Performance.  His former clarinet teachers include James East (SUNY Fredonia), Jon Hunter (Buffalo Philharmonic), and Kenneth Grant (Eastman School of Music).  His jazz studies have come from Eddie Daniels, Bruce Johnstone, Mike Crotty, and Michael Kocour.  Jeff has appeared as a guest soloist with the Arizona Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, BYU Idaho Concert Jazz Band, Salt River Brass Band, ASU Jazz Repertory Band, ASU Concert Jazz Band, SUNY Fredonia Symphony Orchestra, Mesa High Symphonic Band, Mesa High Orchestra, Mesa Community College Band, Scottsdale Community College Band, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and Paradise Valley High School Band.

Jeff started teaching in the Mesa Public School District in 2006. 

He is at Mesa High as a full time band director after spending his first 4 years in the district as the band director at Taylor Junior High. Jeff is also adjunct faculty as the clarinet instructor and as a chamber music ensemble director at Mesa Community College.  Jeff has served as the Chair for the AMEA State Solo & Ensemble Festival since 2016.  He also has served as a guest conductor for the Mesa District Junior High Honor Band Festival in both 2015 and 2017.  Jeff also serves as a state adjudicator for both the ABODA and AZMBA Marching Band circuits. 

Jeff's students have participated in Regional & All-State Honors ensembles as well as regional youth symphonies (Symphony of the Southwest Youth Symphony and Phoenix Youth Symphony). 

Jeff also maintains an active professional performing career with the Symphony of the Southwest, Cinematic Pop, Millennial Choirs & Orchestra, ZAZU (a gypsy jazz based group that pays homage to the music of Django Reinhardt), and Fusion Winds (a Phoenix based woodwind quintet).  He has also worked with the Arizona Opera and the Phoenix Symphony.

Jeff currently resides in Gilbert with his wife, Jaclyn, and their 5 children, Jordyn, Jadyn, Jalyn, Jaxyn, and JJ.