Russ Zokaites

Dr. Russ Zokaites is an Assistant Professor of Trombone and Euphonium at California State University, Fresno, within the College of Arts and Humanities. Holding degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, University of South Carolina, and ArtEZ Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (Netherlands), he combines academic rigor with innovative performance practices.

• Education: DMA (University of Cincinnati), Mmus Getuigschrift (ArtEZ Netherlands), MM (University of Cincinnati), BM (University of South Carolina)
• Performance Credits: United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” Dayton Philharmonic, Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, and collaborations with Grammy Award winner Kenneth Fuchs

Russ Zokaites specializes in new music through interdisciplinary collaborations and social commentary. His projects include:

• Mood Swings (2021): Explores pandemic-era composition
• Bootleg (2021): Examines Appalachian identity through folk/American music
• The Wild Called Maxx (2016): Musical storytelling for millennial themes
• Ghettoblaster Project (2014): Noise pollution transformation via 1980s boomboxes
• Transformative Perspectives (2014): Poetry-music fusion for social observation

His work has been showcased at:

• American Trombone Workshops (2019, 2021)
• International Trombone Festival (2018, 2019, 2021)
• International Horn Symposium (2016)

Scientific recognition includes:

• 2013 Alessi Seminar Fellowship
• 2016 ITA Remington Choir Competition Honorable Mention

As an educator, he teaches:

• Music 31E/31P/131: Trombone/Euphonium Lessons
• Music 30MC: Master Class
• Music 131MC: Trombone Choir
• Music 1A: Ear Training
• Music 41: Music Theory

His global collaborations span institutions in the Netherlands, Germany, and across the U.S., with endorsements from Lätzsch Custom Brass and Monster Oil.