The Musical Core 102: Essential Theory and Aural Training for Musicians

Kevin Ure is a composer, educator, and founder of UreMusic.com, with a strong academic background and extensive performance experience. Born in Pasadena, California in 1978, he studied and performed with numerous prominent composers and performers, including Virko Baley, Daniel Asia, Alfred Reed, Harry Begian, Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel, Mark Jenkins, Eric Whitacre, Steven Bryant, Dr. Craig Walsh, Dr. Pamela Decker, Curtis-Curtis Smith, Dr. Richard Adams, Don Hannah, Takoyoshi Suzuki, Shoichiro Hokazono, Mimi Stillman, Richard Meyrick, Dr. Paul Chihara, James Mobberley, Jeffrey Cotton, Robert Beaser, Dan Coleman, Dr. James Stivers, Bobby Scann, Professor Anthony LaBounty, and Professor Tom Leslie.

Ure’s formal education includes training in brass, woodwinds, strings, piano, and his primary instrument, the euphonium. He has studied at The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and Reno, and Western Michigan University.

Erin Wente is an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada–Las Vegas (UNLV), where she teaches in the music and education programs. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Opera Voice Performance from the University of Arizona, with a minor in Japanese language, and a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies with a minor in Ethnomusicology. Her academic background reflects a strong foundation in both music performance and cultural studies. Wente’s career spans music performance, education, and community leadership. She has worked in academic settings, contributing to curriculum development and instructional leadership, particularly in special education science programs, where she designed and implemented hands-on, project-based learning materials aligned with educational standards. She has also engaged in community initiatives, such as organizing science fairs, school events, and educational partnerships with local farms and institutions.