FanCons.co.uk Press Releases


May 15, 2007

News for Otaku University 2007:

Otaku University announces guest judges and start of online registration

Phoenix, Arizona ­ May 14, 2007 The hard working folks at Otaku University have been scouring the states to find experienced judges for the conference's competitions (Battle of the Bands, Fashion Show, Film Festival, Art Fair). We are pleased to announce the following guest judges and the addition of a new guest professor:

Momoko Welsh ­ Momoko is currently working on her master's thesis on sixteenth-century Japanese paintings.

Miss Welsh is also a curatorial assistant at the Phoenix Art Museum where she been curator for the gallery rotation of Japanese art. Momoko will be a guest professor for Otaku University.

Dr. Janet Baker ­ Dr. Baker holds a doctorate in Asian Art History from the University of Kansas. She has not only lectured and organized exhibitions but she has also taught at Arizona State University, Baruch College in New York City and the Pasadena Art Center College of Design. Dr. Baker currently works at the Phoenix Art Museum as the Curator of Asian Arts. She has also published numerous articles and books on Asian art. Dr. Baker will be a judge for Otaku University's Art Fair.

Biff Yeager ­ Biff started his career in the entertainment field as a grip and worked his way up to producer. He studied acting with Oscar-winning actor and coach, William Hicky at the famed HB Studios in New York. Biff has appeared in over 250 films, television shows and commercials, from movies like "Edward Scissorhands" to the more recent TV series, "Scrubs". Mr.Yeager will be a judge for Otaku University's Film Festival.

Dennita Sewell ­ Dennita currently works at the Phoenix Art Museum as the Curator of Fashion Design following her six-year career as the Collections Manager at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. She has an MFA in Design from the Yale School of Drama. Ms. Sewall will be a judge for Otaku University's Fashion Show.

Ethan Newman ­ Ethan is a longtime professional bassist who has played with the likes of Percy Sledge, Alice Cooper, Meatloaf, Fishbone and Ray Parker. He has also performed and recorded with a multitude of musical groups around Arizona. Ethan will be a judge for Otaku University's Battle of the Bands.

Online registration is now open. To register, please visit the official website and choose 'Registration' on the navigation menu. More information about guest professors, judges, events, the Otaku and Academia Symposium, and the $1,000 'Registration for Education' grant is also available on the website.

About Otaku University: Otaku University Inc. is an educational conference based in the East Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona. Otaku University Inc.'s goal is to help prepare attendees for college and careers in the entertainment industry. Otaku University is not an anime convention nor is it an actual university. The conference is a three day event scheduled to run from September 28-30, 2007.

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