MUSIC RETREAT - Key Persons

Bruce Wayne received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from Texas State University (Formerly Southwest Texas State University) in 1984, and has been a working professional musician for more than forty years. He has performed in a variety of musical styles including Rock, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Country, and Latin. He has also had experience as a Classical Percussionist and has performed in Broadway style musicals. His musical instructors include Jim Hall (Drummer for Woody Herman and Les Elgart), Timothy Peterman, Alan Shinn, (Head of Percussion Studies at Texas Tech University), Genaro Gonzales (Head of Percussion at Texas State University), Bobby Meyer (Composer, jazz Trumpet, Sax, and Piano), and Rod Morgenstein (Drummer for the Dixie Dregs, Winger, Jazz is Dead and the Rudess / Morgenstein Project). He has played with many fine musicians including Mitch Watkins (guitar player for Lyle Lovett), James Polk (jazz pianist and arranger for Ray Charles), Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pat Travers, (Rock Guitarist), Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, Gary P. Nunn, Jay Hogenbarton (Jazz Vibraphonist),

Carlos Roberto (Rube) Harrison graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology in 2021. Rube graduated with the highest honors while also working as the Fire Station studio engineer and serving as a member of the Jazz Orchestra. Rube has advanced music dexterity and an understanding of multiple instruments. He possesses a broad knowledge of music theory, composition, performance, and audio recording and editing. Rube is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Chelsea Piel is a junior at Texas State University studying Music Education with a string instrument concentration. She has been studying cello performance for ten years. Chelsea is a lead teacher and private instructor for the Texas State String Project where she teaches cello, violin, viola, and bass. She has presented at the National American String Teachers Association conference and performed at the Texas Music Educators Association conference. Once she graduates she plans to teach as an orchestra director, and earn a masters.

Curtis Brengle was raised in Seattle Washington. Music started early, at the age of 5, with the accordion. When he was 6 his teacher said to his father "he's too big for this accordion, you need to buy him a new one". A new accordion was $300, and instead his father came home with a $50 upright piano. So Curtis started playing piano. At 9 he started studying classical piano, and then at 13 started studying jazz, and rock-n-roll. At the Cornish Institute, he received a BFA in piano performance, and studied with Gary Peacock, Julian Priester, Art Lande and James Knapp among others. While in Seattle, Curtis arranged music for the Muzak Corp for over a decade, arranging thousands of songs (you've heard them in elevators and airports all over the country!), played the club circuits and recorded many local commercials. In 1989 Curtis made the move to Los Angeles, and since has played and/or recorded with artists including Sheena Easton, Englebert Humperdinck (musical director), Ray Charles, the Pointer Sisters, Tom Scott, Deniece Williams, Chaka Khan, Rick Braun, and Jeff Golub to name a few. Other credits include many recordings for the Yamaha Corp., Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), Freaky Friday (Disney), ESPN Football (JeffKoz), and a host of other national and local commercials. Curtis has many years experience teaching piano privately, has been a staff instructor at Charles Music in Glendale CA, the Burbank Music Academy, the Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, as well as a faculty member at the Teagarden Jazz Camp in Sly Park CA.

Denise Wayne-Damron graduated with highest honors from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, All-Level Certification. She has taught piano, flute and voice to students of all ages since 1980 in her home studio as well as in public, private and homeschool settings, and has directed general music, choral and band programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She currently serves as choir director at Christ Presbyterian Church and as accompanist (and former director) of Gemischter Chor Harmonie in New Braunfels, TX. Ms. Wayne-Damron has performed live at Carnegie Hall, on German National Radio, and in concerts across Spain, Germany and the United States. She has worked extensively coaching and accompanying instrumental and choral students in multiple school districts in central Texas in preparation for UIL Solo & Ensemble competition. Ms. Wayne-Damron is herself a solo pianist, flutist and vocalist for weddings and other events She is also a certified health/life transformation coach and fitness instructor, and delights in sharing with others gifts that bring joy and wellness throughout their lifetime.