They know their stuff.
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Music History and Literature
To understand where you're headed, look back.
![a teacher lectures at a projector](/sites/default/files/styles/circular/public/1-1-erick-arenas.jpg.webp?itok=4uAw1fAj)
SFCM’s classes in music history and literature provide a vital learning experience for all aspiring musicians. SFCM faculty deliver engaging sessions, helping students think critically about the meaning of the music they play by examining the musical values of other times, places, and cultures.
Faculty
They know their stuff.
![Erick Arenas lecturing](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/erick-arenas-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=WMJaOZFn)
![Sarah Cahill headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/sarah-cahill-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=-ox_FLfs)
![David Coll headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/faculty/headshots/David_Coll_headshot.jpg.webp?itok=GRG4T1Yr)
![David Conte headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2024-06/david-conte-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=0-V5CXH-)
David Conte
![Melita Denny headshot while lecturing](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/melita-denny-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=SDhoOmCe)
![julio elizalde at the piano](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-07/julio-elizalde-headshot.jpeg.webp?itok=ZcUeDm_U)
Julio Elizalde
![Michael Gilbertson headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/michael-gilbertson-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=oLRaPRhm)
Michael Gilbertson
![Phillip Harris Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-07/phillip-harris-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=yT1-mERY)
![Corey Jamason neadshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/corey-jamason-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=mHSS-Ohk)
Corey Jamason
![](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/Degrees%20and%20Programs%20-%20Departments%20-%20RJAM%20-%20Faculty%20-%20Rebeca%20Mauleon%20-%20300px.jpg.webp?itok=RAH5tgnZ)
Rebeca Mauleón
![Isaac Pastor-Chermak headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/isaac-pastor-chermak-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=VdHB2zYC)
![Rebecca Plack headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/rebecca-plack-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=LInT7SX0)
![Alexander Stalarow Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/alex-stalarow-headshot_0.jpg.webp?itok=awgrzq-E)
![Rachel Vandagriff headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/rachel-vandagriff-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=7u9tbWmb)
![Patrick Wolff headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-06/patrick-wolff-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=xCyO1AH7)
Patrick Wolff
Faculty
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Erick Arenas
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Sarah Cahill
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David Coll
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David Conte
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Melita Denny
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Julio Elizalde
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Michael Gilbertson
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Phillip Harris
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Corey Jamason
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Rebeca Mauleón
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Isaac Pastor-Chermak
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Rebecca Plack
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Alexander John Stalarow
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Rachel Vandagriff
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Patrick Wolff
![Erick Arenas lecturing](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/erick-arenas-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=WMJaOZFn)
![Sarah Cahill headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/sarah-cahill-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=-ox_FLfs)
![David Coll headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/faculty/headshots/David_Coll_headshot.jpg.webp?itok=GRG4T1Yr)
![David Conte headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2024-06/david-conte-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=0-V5CXH-)
David Conte
Composition Chair
![Melita Denny headshot while lecturing](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/melita-denny-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=SDhoOmCe)
![julio elizalde at the piano](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-07/julio-elizalde-headshot.jpeg.webp?itok=ZcUeDm_U)
Julio Elizalde
![Michael Gilbertson headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/michael-gilbertson-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=oLRaPRhm)
Michael Gilbertson
![Phillip Harris Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-07/phillip-harris-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=yT1-mERY)
![Corey Jamason neadshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/corey-jamason-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=mHSS-Ohk)
Corey Jamason
Historical Performance Chair
![](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/Degrees%20and%20Programs%20-%20Departments%20-%20RJAM%20-%20Faculty%20-%20Rebeca%20Mauleon%20-%20300px.jpg.webp?itok=RAH5tgnZ)
Rebeca Mauleón
![Isaac Pastor-Chermak headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/isaac-pastor-chermak-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=VdHB2zYC)
![Rebecca Plack headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/rebecca-plack-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=LInT7SX0)
![Alexander Stalarow Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/alex-stalarow-headshot_0.jpg.webp?itok=awgrzq-E)
![Rachel Vandagriff headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-03/rachel-vandagriff-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=7u9tbWmb)
![Patrick Wolff headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/original_mobile/public/2023-06/patrick-wolff-headshot.jpg.webp?itok=xCyO1AH7)
Patrick Wolff
![SFCM Music History Class with Edwin Outwater and Peaches Christ. SFCM Music History Class with Edwin Outwater and Peaches Christ.](/sites/default/files/field/image/IMG_1334_1.jpg)
Professor Alexander Stalarow's Music and Queer Identity's semester-ending field trip was a drag—in the best way. SFCM Music Director Edwin Outwater's "Holiday Gaiety" show is held at San Francisco Symphony over the holiday season.
![SFCM Opera performance](/sites/default/files/2023-03/16-9-opera-concert-alliances.jpg)
Industry Alliances to Support Students and Artists
In recent years, SFCM acquired two leading artist management companies and an iconic record label to reimagine how elements of the music industry can better integrate to advance the human experience through music. For students, that means more opportunities to interact with touring artists and industry experts–including professional development workshops, side-by-side performances, and enhanced masterclasses.