'Like cupcakes melting in the sun...' was a performance of 7 compositions that explore outsider jazz styles, including exotica, smooth, and free jazz. The compositions were arranged for 8 musicians, with Jeff Kaiser on trumpet, Drew Ceccato on saxophone, Andrew Pask on saxophone, Michael Vlatkovich on trombone, Kjell Nordeson on drums and percussion, Leah Bowden on drums and percussion, Marcus Gilroy Ware on electric bass, and Philip Skaller on piano/ keyboards. The dissertation concert was held on May 8th, 2014 at the Conrad Prebys Concert Hall at the University of California, San Diego