I've been teaching in the music department at Bilgi University four years. The emphasis is upon performance and composition. There are also students of electronic composition and sound engineering.

The courses that I've taught include:

Ear training:

Core: Mus 101, 102, 201, 202 (four semesters)
Advanced, Elective: Performance ear training I (1 semester)
Performance ear training II (1
semester)

Private guitar lessons: undergraduate and graduate levels. Guitar lab, Small group ensembles Jazz Styles and Analysis.

A particular favorite course is one that I proposed to the department; 'Solo Class'. 'Solo Class' is a required recital course for third and fourth year students. They perform twice a semester in solo or duo formats for their peers. The performances are digitally recorded. These recordings provide valuable experience for our sound engineering students. All performances receive a written critique by the teacher that is later posted in a public area. Interested students receive private consultation by appointment.

One of the high points of my experience at Bilgi is when I served at vice chair of the department. A letter from the then department head, Ali Perret, (reproduced below) best describes my activities.

Date: June 5, 2003
From: Ali Perret, Chair, Music Department, Istanbul Bilgi University

To: Whom it may concern

During the academic year 2001-2002 it was my pleasure to have Donovan Mixon serve as my vice chair to the department of music at Istanbul Bilgi University. Mr. Mixon contributed to the organizational development of our department, particularly in terms of the professional development of our faculty. Two of his most valuable suggestions were annual faculty self-evaluations and 'Cross Topic Activities'.

The aim of the faculty self evaluation report is to provide a formal place where the strengths and professional concerns of an instructor could be positively addressed. When juxtaposed with the university annual student evaluation-report important insights into the effectiveness of the faculty member were exposed, providing (the) educator the opportunity to remedy any potential problems with his work. Donovan's innovative 'Cross Topic Activities' (CTA) paper outlined to our faculty how it was possible to integrate our core curriculum in order to provide a more comprehensive education to our students.

In the same year, Mixon introduced two new courses to the curriculum that have since become part of our core curriculum. The courses are 'Solo Class' and 'Performance Ear Training'. "Solo Class' is a one year recital course. Students are required to perform in either a solo or duo context. Composers and Professional music students are also required to present two projects for each semester. Each week, students receive thoughtful written criticism from Mr. Mixon. Performance Ear Training is an extension of the two-year core ear-training program that is a cornerstone of our (performance) curriculum. The course combines ear-training activities with element of jazz improvisation.

Our department also benefited from the 'Aural Perception Test' that Mr. Mixon conceived and wrote specifically for our department of music. It is the department's primary admissions exam and has proven to provide valuable insight into the inherent musical abilities of the students that hope to study with our faculty.

As you can surmise, Mr. Mixon's year as vice chair was an extremely productive one as is his ensuing years as a continuing faculty member.