Bio for Dr. Robert Klevan,
Director from 1998–2014
A graduate summa cum laude from the Conservatory of Music at
the University of the Pacific, Robert B. Klevan
pursued his post-graduate studies at DePaul University
in Chicago, and at UOP where he received a Masters of Music
Degree. In 1993, Dr. Klevan earned his Ph.D. at the
University of Texas in Austin. Dr. Klevan has studied
conducting with David Goedecke, William Dehning, Donald
Hunsberger, and Glen Richter. He made his Carnegie Hall
conducting debut with the UCSC Wind Ensemble in May, 2001.
In addition to conducting the Wind Ensemble, Dr. Kleven is
Past President for the California Orchestra Directors
Association, a past member of the Board for the Central Coast
Section of the California Music Educators Association (CMEA),
a Board member for the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, and currently
serves as President of CMEA.
In 1992, Dr. Klevan was named CMEA Educator of the Year, and
received the McNeely Award for Excellence in Teaching. The
Monterey Jazz Festival named Dr. Klevan the Jazz Educator of
the Year for 2003-4. After a twenty-seven year career as music
director and director of fine arts at the Stevenson School,
Dr. Klevan now serves as Jazz Education Director for the Monterey
Jazz Festival.
Dr. Klevan has directed the UCSC Wind Ensemble since 1998.
