Whit Sidener, Professor and Chair, Department of Studio Music and Jazz; Program Director, Studio Music and Jazz/Instrumental, holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from the University of Miami. He is the conductor of the internationally award winning University of Miami Concert Jazz Band. He has performances on nine platinum albums, three platinum singles, and three gold singles with the Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, and K.C. and the Sunshine Band. He has done studio work for numerous recording artists, including Bobby Caldwell, Kim Carnes, Harry Chapin, Jose Feliciano, Miami Sound Machine, Aretha Franklin, James Gang, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Dionne Warwick. He has appeared with the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and with numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Lena Home, and Mel Torme. He has appeared with the Bee Gees national tours and as a featured soloist with a Bob James national tour. Sidener is a recipient of the National Association of Jazz Educators award for outstanding service to jazz education, and the Phillip Frost Award for excellence in teaching and scholarship.