Dr. Chuck Cushinery

Dr. Chuck Cushinery has been a resident of Nevada since 1997. He holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Masters of Music Education and a Doctorate of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Prior to entering the teaching profession, Chuck made his living playing the violin. He specializes in swing music and has performed in concert with such greats as Stephane Grappelli, Buddy Rich, Larry Coryell, and Michael Urbaniak. Chuck currently teaches at Ed W. Clark High School, in Las Vegas, where he has grown the string program from 39 students in 1997 to an enrollment of over 450. In addition, he founded the Clark guitar program, which has grown to an enrollment of over 400, 3 years later he founded the piano program with a current enrollment of over 200 and most recently, founded an electronic music program. He also currently directs the orchestra at the College of Southern Nevada and is Director of the Nevada School of the Arts Chamber Orchestra. His orchestras have continually been rated superior at festivals in Nevada, California, Florida and New York, including three performances in Carnegie Hall. In 2008 Chuck was named Nevada Music Educator of the year by the Kiwanis. He has served as chairman of the Clark County School District Honors Orchestra, Chairman of the Nevada Music Educators Association (NMEA) All-State Orchestra, served as an NMEA Southern Zone Representative, has been on the staff of the National High School Honors Orchestra and has been a member of many committees developing and refining music curriculum and policy for the Clark County School District. Chuck is also on the Board of Directors for Arts Works and is an educational advisor for the Spirit of Harmony Foundation. He served two terms as president of NVASTA and is immediate past-president of the Nevada Music Educators Association, the state affiliate of the National Association for Music Education. Chuck is a two time top ten finalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the year award. In 2015 the Clark Chamber Orchestra won the Grand National Orchestra Championship at the ASTA Conference in Salt Lake City and in December of 2016 performed at the Midwest Clinic.