Erick Parris, a music theorist and composer, has taught at Atlantic Union College since 2000. He also served as chair and director of the Thayer Performing Arts Center until 2007. A 1978 graduate of the Panama National Conservatory of Music, he taught in the extension program of the conservatory at Colon for two years.

Parris came to the States in 1980 where he attended Atlantic Union College, graduating from there in 1984. After completing a master’s degree in theory/composition at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1986, he chaired the music program at Antillian Adventist University and taught at South Lancaster Academy before continuing doctoral study at UMA in 1991.

Parris completed a Ph.D. in composition and theory pedagogy in 1994 and returned to Puerto Rico to again chair the music program at AAU from 1997 to 2000. He has taught at AUC since 2000. In addition to his administrative duties, he also has directed the choirs and teaches theory.

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