Eric Dunan is the former Director of the Jazz Studies
Program and Conductor in the Schools Band Program at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. He established both of these programs in 2001 and continued his work and helped build them until April 2024.
Jazz Bands led by Eric have performed with Australian
jazz artists such as Sandy Evans, Andrew Robson, and James Greening. Eric also conducts a 200-member Megaband,
which has performed with Fred Wesley, Mucho Mambo, and James Morrison.
Under Eric’s leadership, Wollongong
Conservatorium bands toured the United States, where they won 1st.
2nd, and 4th place awards in the top divisions of the
Reno International Jazz Festival in 2007 and 2012. The Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra has also performed
at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival and toured China and Japan with James Morrison.
Eric believes one of the key elements to the success of the jazz program and concert band programs is the work he has done with primary schools. Eric has developed beginning band programs in more than 10 public schools in the Illawarra and is equally comfortable working with 9 year olds as he is working with 19 year olds. He has also worked with younger primary school children in the Jelly Beans Music Program which introduces children from kindy through year 6 to basic music concepts.
Eric is a highly sought after clinician and adjudicator having worked numerous times with the Sydney Eisteddfod, Engadine Band Festival, Big Band Blast, and The Sydney Jazz Camp.
After finishing a performance degree at
California State University, Eric worked as a freelance trumpet player in San
Francisco from 1989-2001, performing with numerous jazz, blues, and funk bands. During the 1990’s he toured with Lydia Pense
and Cold Blood, a soul-rock-jazz band. They regularly played legendary San
Francisco clubs such The Fillmore as well as major festivals throughout America, where they shared
billing with such bands as Tower of Power and Credence Clearwater Revival. In
Australia, Eric leads his own Quintet, and has played with John Morrison, Jacki
Cooper, and Fabien Hevia.
Eric Dunan can be contacted on +61 423 809 316 or email ericdunan@me.com
