SOLEA MUSICA BIOS
Rex Willis, Guitar – Melodie Dickerson, Soprano
Rex Willis, Guitarist, is a faculty member at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, Florida where he teaches guitar, composition and music theory. He received his M.M. in Composition from Florida State University and has studied with world-renowned guitarists Bruce Holzman, Pepe Romero and Christopher Parkening. As a classical guitarist, Mr. Willis has performed both in the United States and abroad. His compositions have also received international exposure and his music is published by both Tuscany Publications and Clear Note.
Melodie Dickerson, Soprano, is Coordinator of Choral/Vocal Studies at Manatee Community College. She previously taught private voice at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and was choir director and Adjunct Professor of Drama at Mount Ida College, Newton, MA. As a singer/actor and director she has been in over one hundred musical productions and has sung professionally in concert for many years. Ms. Dickerson holds both M.M. and B.M. degrees in Vocal Performance.
In addition to concert performances, the collaboration of Willis/Dickerson has created and produced the music for the award winning independent movies, “The Southernmost Point” and “The Ghosts of Ybor.” Along with writer James Thaggard, they also wrote the new musical, “In Ybor City!”, which premiered at Manatee Community College in January 2007.
Solea Musica performances include Florida State Music Teachers Association conference, Northport Orchestra, Sarasota Music Archives Series and most recently on the Pine Shores Chamber Music Series. The duo is slated to appear on the Florida State University Concert Series 2007-08 as well as at the Brno International Guitar Festival (Czech Republic) in August, 2007. Solea Musica is also proud to announce the release of their brand new CD, Into The Sky, which features compositions for piano and guitar by Rex Willis with arrangements by Rex Willis and Melodie Dickerson.
CD DESCRIPTION
Solea Musica’s CD, INTO THE SKY, is a blend of the silky sound of classical guitar with a warm acoustic piano resonance. Soaring melodies accompanied by lush harmonies are explored in a variety of musical styles encompassing contemporary, folk, blues, classical and jazz genres. Passionate, provocative and peaceful- the original music written by Rex Willis and arranged by Rex Willis and Melodie Dickerson- creates a soothing and relaxed mood in the listener. Avoiding a canned and overproduced sound, the music was recorded in a live improvisation, resulting in a fresh and immediate “in the room” ambiance.
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