Fred Clark
According to Fred Clark, “music is energy, and life, and it brings those things to anyone willing to listen to and accept it.” Clark is a senior music education major at UT. Clark was born in Tampa, but moved to Kansas with his family shortly after because his father was in the Air Force. After his dad retired, they moved back to Tampa, where Clark decided to pursue a passion for music. He started playing the recorder in the third grade then joined his school’s band program when he reached the fifth grade. From there, he played the trombone and was in marching band for all four years of high school.
Clark is now considering becoming a musician in the Air Force. Clark is an Event Host (and has been one for the past two years) for the music department at UT, in which he greets people at events or helps with the setup and breakdown. Apart from that, he is the founder and president of the Spartan Swing Club, in which students learn how to swing dance and perform for an audience. He also joined Relay for Life last semester and was president of the Spartan Band team. Clark says there are so many concerts and events that he will be performing in this semester because he is in multiple ensembles that all stay busy. “I am pretty excited for the wind ensemble event that we will be having midway through the semester– it will focus on using music to take the audience to faraway locations.”
Travis Damato
Born and raised in Lutz, Fl., Travis Damato is a senior music education major. Damato’s father, who played in the Paris Island Marine Band for four years, influenced his interest in music as a child. “When I was a kid I used to play songs on his mouthpieces just to goof off,” Damato said. When he reached middle school, he joined the school band, where he played saxophone and he has been playing since he was nine. Damato participates in the Wind Ensemble, the Spartan Band, and the Jazz Band at UT. He also teaches trumpet lessons to students and arranges and writes music. There are many upcoming curricular gigs for Damato this semester. “I always look forward to Dancing With Winds in December, where we play holiday music to which the dance department has choreographed,” Damato said. He is planning on playing at Busch Gardens for their annual Christmas Town, as well. He is also planning a free concert for a local foster home for kids. “I think that music truly is the ultimate primal expression of ourselves as human beings,” Damato said. “What sets us aside from other creatures on this planet is our ability to create. And to express with words is but one shallow mean.” After graduation, Damato plans on going to grad school for music composition, which has been a long time dream of his.
Helen Twinam
Helen Twinam, a 30-year-old second semester senior and a mother of three, is a music education major who plans on teaching music after college. Twinam, who lives in St. Petersburg with her family, has been singing since she was very young. She was the president of her high school choral department and has played many concerts including a show on the Royal Caribbean cruise line. She plays the piano and guitar, as well. “Music is an expression of life and love,” Twinam said. “Music allows us to feel what we cannot always express with words. Without it, our world would be very boring indeed.” Unfortunately, Twinam will not be in any more school performances, as she is in her final internship this fall. However, she does give voice lessons to students and enjoys exploring music. She will be returning to UT for a Master’s degree, possibly in choral conducting.
