Professor Dianthe “Dee” Spencer paced up and down the wooden floor with a steady rhythm, arranging music sheets and humming softly to herself while waiting for her student who was late for his private jazz piano lesson.

When he walked in 10 minutes late Spencer looked over, threw her arms in the air and said with a smile, “See! Everything always works out.”

Spencer is a diligent professor and musician who takes time to help people who approach her for guidance. As she reminisced with Kathleen Hollingsworth, the grand choral conductor at SF State, Spencer mentioned how Hollingsworth came to her for advice on her first time conducting. Always there to lend a helping hand, she stood by for support but later told Hollingsworth, “You did what I would have done. You were fine!”

Spencer has been a part of the SF State jazz program for the past 16 years. She will share her knowledge about jazz when she gives a lecture on the San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Era on March 22 presented by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at SF State. It is part of a series called “Behind the Scenes: Conversations with Art Leaders” which is offered to faculty, staff, and students.

“I learned about jazz a little bit through my family and being a jazz performer. I’m a jazz artist so you have to know the history of what you do,” said Spencer.

Spencer was asked to speak at the SF Fillmore Jazz Era lecture because of her knowledge of the history of jazz as well as her active role in the music department. She participated in open mic performances at Rasellas, a prominent jazz club in the Fillmore district and performed every Monday night for about five years, working with various musicians who have become a part of a historical legacy.

She grew up around music in her hometown of Wilmington, Del. and took classical music lessons when she was a child. She attended Florida A&M University where she earned her bachelor’s degree, then went on to Washington University for her master’s degree. Eventually she settled in the Bay Area to gain her doctorate from the University of San Francisco while teaching at SF State.

“I was so relieved to see that they hired (Spencer), not only because she’s a great instructor but because it brought jazz to the floor of SF State and she brought something new here,” said Jim Davis, associate dean of student affairs for the creative arts department. “She was the seed that brought jazz and she also brought a multicultural approach to jazz.”

She is currently teaching Music 120, an introductory music course and she offers private jazz piano lessons while working on her own music and participating in other musician’s projects.

“Spencer was brought into SF State when there was no jazz program, despite the massive tradition in the Bay Area for jazz,” said Davis.

She is renowned at SF State, because she has confidence in the ability of other people. Before her lecture on Thursday afternoons she offers a private piano lesson. Louis Joseph, a senior and international student from Quebec, came in at 1:30 p.m. for a mini rehearsal.

They rehearse together, practicing what will be taught in class. Although Joseph seems anxious at first, he gets into the music with Spencer’s encouragement and starts nodding his head and breaks into a smile as the piano echoes throughout the room.

“She gives good tips and emphasizes more time on rhythm,” said Joseph, who has been playing jazz piano for five years.

All the while she became immersed in music and becoming skilled in the complex world of jazz music.

“After performing extensively you learn about the history and the art form of jazz,” said Spencer. “I’ve studied it, taught it and I’m immersed in the music, it’s become a part of who I am.”