New director for the Shoreline Concert Band at Shoreline Community College

photo of new band director

Dr. Christopher Vongvithayamathakul (Mathakul) joined Shoreline Community College in the 2022-23 academic year as a full-time music faculty member and director of the Shoreline Concert Band. 

Previously, Dr. Mathakul directed the Symphonic Band and served as Music Ensembles Program Coordinator at the University of Illinois Chicago. 

Dr. Mathakul completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting at the University of Washington in 2022, studying with Professor Timothy Salzman. 

As the concert band’s graduate assistant at Washington, Dr. Mathakul served as the director of the Concert Band and assistant conductor for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. 

In the Spring of 2021, Dr. Mathakul and fellow graduate conducting student Daniel Fischer presented a clinic entitled “Creative Learning Experiences for Music Ensembles Using Digital Audio Tools” at multiple state music education conferences. 

This presentation was inspired by the virtual composition project entitled “Putting the E in Ensemble” piloted by the University of Washington Wind Ensemble in collaboration with composer Alex Shapiro in the Spring of 2020.

Dr. Mathakul earned a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from the University of New Mexico where he studied conducting with Professor Eric Rombach-Kendall and clarinet with Professor Keith Lemmons. 

During his time at New Mexico, Dr. Mathakul served as a graduate assistant for the UNM bands, where his responsibilities included assisting and conducting the concert bands, marching band, and running the “Soundpack” basketball pep band. Dr. Mathakul also served as the music director for the Symphony Orchestra of Albuquerque, a community orchestra.

Prior to his doctoral studies, Dr. Mathakul earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and spent seven years as a high school and middle school band director in schools on the island of O’ahu, Hawai’i. During this time, Dr. Mathakul was an active member of the O’ahu Band Directors Association and chair of its Beginning Honor Band.

The concert band has openings for new players. Get out your instruments and sign up. The link to register is Shoreline Community Band (campusce.net) to register through Continuing Education, not for credit. 

Waves of Gratitude

Waves of Gratitude for Brandon Fryman of eLearning for Inclusive Excellence. Brandon did such a great job in the faculty institute. Showing us what to look out for in our classrooms to build equity and inclusion, it’s just little shifts that I would not see. TILTing (Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TiLT), is such a great idea and I can see why he is so passionate about it. And building accessibility in the classroom even before we have a student that needs accommodations is a great way to already build that with that in mind. It is important to realize that not everyone speaks out about getting help or telling folks that they need an accommodation. Build it first. He has such great ideas and has a good eye for catching things I do not. I appreciate all the work you do on our campus. Thank you for being so JEDI-A centered. And everywhere I turn, he is there helping on campus. Anonymous.

As a reminder, for those wishing to acknowledge the work of fellow shoreline staff members or a group at Shoreline, you need only submit a Waves of Gratitude form for individuals or a Shoreline Shoutout for groups.  Thank you from the Employee Recognition Committee – Rob, Wanda, and Megan.

Shoreline Shoutouts

Shout Out to Live Zoom Room Support Folks. Live Zoom Room folks were amazing at supporting students, staff, and faculty through the remote launch of ctcLink this past Spring. They “turned it up to 11” when we began verifying students this summer as the fraudulent student investigations began. They have verified over 530 students since the end of August! All while also answering all kinds of other questions about how to register for classes in ctcLink, how to login to ctcLink & Canvas, and many more! Always with welcoming attitudes and letting every student know we have their back. THANK YOU ALL!! Anonymous

www.shoreline.edu/ZoomRoom

Submit your shoutout here!

Waves of Gratitude

Waves of Gratitude for Wanda Waldrop of Manufacturing for Respect, Student Engagement, Community Engagement, and Staff support. Wanda puts so much work into supporting her students and her team, as well as others who are part of the students’ network. Even in difficult situations, Wanda manages to laugh and is always so wonderful to work with. submitted by Miranda Levy of Student Accessibility Services.

As a reminder, for those wishing to acknowledge the work of fellow shoreline staff members or a group at Shoreline, you need only submit a Waves of Gratitude form for individuals or a Shoreline Shoutout for groups.  Thank you from the Employee Recognition Committee – Rob, Wanda, and Megan.

Waves of Gratitude

Waves of Gratitude for Tigist Stanghor of Financial Aid for Inclusive Excellence and Respect. Every day I am grateful that Tigist exists in the world. Without her, our Workforce grants would not be processed. Even with tons of staffing changes and transitioning to CTCLink, Tigist manages to make time to help resolve student issues that come up. She is always gracious with people as issues arise. I know that everyone in the Workforce Office has such deep respect and gratitude for Tigist. Submitted by Jenna Schlein of STEM Workforce Education.

Waves of Gratitude for Douglas Haub of Administrative Services for Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement for demystifying ctcLink and being a much-needed source of positivity during challenging times! Douglas consistently goes above and beyond to help anyone who is struggling to understand how to do their work in ctcLink. He has created so many resources that employees across campus now rely on to ensure that key processes run smoothly. And when explaining difficult material, Douglas is always encouraging and supportive. I really could not understand this stuff without that kind of positivity keeping me going. THANK YOU! Submitted by anonymous.

Waves of Gratitude for Melissa Sanders of Human Relations and Employee Relations for Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement. This is a wave of gratitude for both Melissa Sanders of HR and Bonnie Madison of TSS, for getting our newest employee network access in record time! Melissa and Bonnie made it possible for our new hire to jump right in on day 1. Huge thanks for their exceptional communication, dedication, and great work. You are so appreciated, Bonnie and Melissa! Submitted by anonymous.

Waves of Gratitude for Bonnie Madison of Technical Support Services for Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement. This is a wave of gratitude for both Melissa Sanders of HR and Bonnie Madison of TSS, for getting our newest employee network access in record time! Melissa and Bonnie made it possible for our new hire to jump right in on day 1. Huge thanks for their exceptional communication, dedication, and great work. You are so appreciated, Bonnie and Melissa! Submitted by anonymous.

As a reminder, for those wishing to acknowledge the work of fellow shoreline staff members or a group at Shoreline, you need only submit a Waves of Gratitude form for individuals or a Shoreline Shoutout for groups.  Thank you from the Employee Recognition Committee – Rob, Wanda, and Megan.

You can submit a WAVE of GRATITUDE here!