Dorothy Savitch has led the Music Partners program since 1996, developing fully enriched, sequential programs that build upon students’ skills from year to year. Under Dorothy’s guidance, Music Partners has grown from six sites with 700 students to 34 sites with 4,500 participants. Dorothy has expanded the course offerings to meet the needs and interests of our diverse community, including chorus for seniors citizens, West African Drumming, GarageBand Songwriting and programs for toddlers and pre-kindergarten students. Dorothy has been on the BKCM faculty since 1989, and prior to becoming Program Director of Music Partners, she taught music theory, history, classical guitar, chorus and recorder. In 2002, Dorothy Savitch was also named as the first Music Director of the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra. Since 1997, Ms. Savitch has also been Music Director of Long Island’s Sound Symphony Orchestra. Since her tenure began, both orchestras have grown and expanded into two of the finest community ensembles in the New York metropolitan area. They have received high praise for their vibrant performances and expansive repertoire. Before her transition to the podium, Ms. Savitch studied the classical guitar with Christopher Parkening and Vicente Gomez, and toured throughout the West Coast. She received music degrees from Columbia University and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Her conducting teachers include Harold Farberman and Maurice Peress.
email:dorothy.savitch@bkcm.org
phone:718-622-3300 ext 221
Sheri Gottlieb is Associate Director of the Music Partners Program at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. She serves as mentor and curriculum developer and offers a regular series of Seminar/Workshops through the Conservatory designed for Music Educators and Classroom Teachers. Her teaching career has given her opportunities to work with diverse populations in public and private schools, Head Start programs and Community Music Schools.
Sheri is currently working on a project with the DOE, creating and teaching early childhood music materials for UPK teachers and leaders. She has extensive experience as a clinician, most recently working on “The Ready Readers Program” in conjunction with Chinatown Planning Council. Sheri is Past President of the NYC Chapter AOSA and has served on the board of NYC Arts in Education Roundtable. She is co-author of “Melodic Weavings – A Soprano Recorder Approach for Teachers.” And her article on Music and Urban Education appears in The Orff Echo.
Sheri is a trained hospice volunteer and a founding member of the Threshold Choir NYC. She sings for clients and caregivers by helping to honor, ease and give support through the gift of song.
email:sheri.gottlieb@bkcm.org
Name: Brian Shankar Adler
I’m from: Upstate, NY
I started teaching music in… 2001
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2016
My inspiration: Buckminster Fuller, Messiaen, David Lynch, Jaron Lanier, and my drum teacher, Dave Ratajczak.
Few people know that I… am part Argentine, Eastern European, and South Asian
Education: New England Conservatory – BM, Jazz Performance
I play and teach: Drums, percussion, and composition
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I lead several projects including Fourth Dimension which plays meditative chamber-jazz, and Human Time Machine, where grooves shift based on hand signals to keep an audience dancing. I also play in Bombay Rickey and around town as a freelancer.
Name: Jen Baker
I’m from… Jonesville, Michigan
I started teaching music in…1997
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2011
My inspiration: nature
Few people know that I… am left-handed
Education: Oberlin Conservatory – B.M.
Mills College – M.F.A.
I play and teach: Trombone, trumpet, euphonium, and other brass
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I’m featured on the soundtrack to Werner Herzog’s Oscar-nominated Encounters at the End of the World, I appeared on Good Morning America, and I’m on numerous recordings playing with Nate Wooley, Damon Smith, The Mountain Goats, Asphalt Orchestra, Flexible Orchestra, on record labels including New World, Innova, New Amsterdam, Cantaloupe, and my own label, Dilapidated Barns. I have toured with new music ensembles SEM, Tilt Brass, the mobile ensemble Asphalt Orchestra (founding member), with experimental theatre company Bananabag and Bodice (Beowulf), and various world music pop stars such as Arijit Singh (Bollywood).
Name: David Bertrand
I’m from… Trinidad & Tobago
I started teaching music in… 2011
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2014
My inspiration: Cannonball Adderly, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Kent Jordan, Mark Turner, Chris Bacas, John Ellis, Claudio Puntin, Chick Corea, Anita Baker, A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, MF Doom, The Mighty Shadow, Valentino, The Apostle Paul, Derek Walcott, V.S. Naipaul and the list forever grows….
Few people know that I… love to cook Afro Trinidadian food for large groups people (last time it was 45!!!) and that I started exercising as a teenage because I wanted to be Wolverine.
Education: The University of the West Indies – B.A., Literatures in English
Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College – M.A., Jazz Performance
I play and teach: Flute, alto flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet, and soprano saxophone
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I’m extremely grateful to play in a number of jazz and world music groups that focus on original compositions. This includes my own quartet where my writing focuses on integrating folkloric elements with modern Brooklyn-inspired jazz.
Name: Peter Brainin
I’m from… Bronx, New York
I started teaching music in… 1988
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2010
My inspiration: John Coltrane
Few people know that I… play drums professionaly (ocasionally) , draw and paint
Education: Music Performance (jazz studies) from New England Conservatory
I play and teach: Saxophone, flute, clarinet , drums (percussion) music theory, jazz theory jazz improvisation
My other artistic/musical endeavors: Native Soul
Peter Brainin & Talking Drum
Mambo Legends Orchestra
Afro Bop Alliance Big Band
Cecilia Coleman Big Band
Bill Warfield Big Band
Willie Colon & Legal Alien
Bobby Sananabria Multiverse Big Band
Bobby Sanabria Quarteto Ache
Bobby Sanabria Ascensión
Birdland Latin Jazz Orchestra
Valery Ponomorev Our Father Who Art Blakey Big Band
Name: Susanna Brock
I’m from… Sweden
I started teaching music in… 2010
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2014
My inspiration: People who follow their dreams and step out of their comfort zone.
Few people know that I… love balloons!
Education: The City College of the City University of New York – BFA, Jazz Vocal Studies
CUNY School of Professional Studies – MA, Applied Theater
I teach: Early Childhood Music and Movement
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I make and perform theater for the very young with Brooklyn based Spellbound Theatre.
Name: Frances Brodeur
From: Massachusetts
I started teaching music in…1978
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2002
My inspiration: My Father
Few people know that I… have 2 grown children and love yoga.
Education: The Boston Conservatory of Music – Diploma in Performance
CUNY Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music – BM
Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College – MA
I play and teach: Flute and piccolo
My other artistic/musical endeavors: String Orchestra of Booklyn
Name: Soo Choi
I’m from… Seoul, Korea
I started teaching music in… 1997
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2016
My inspiration: My father
Few people know that I… like Christmas music all year round.
Education: The Juilliard School – BM
The Juilliard School – MM
I play and teach: Violin
My other artistic/musical endeavors: New Haven Symphony Orchestra
Name: Tahira Clayton
I’m from… Dallas, TX
I started teaching music in… 2012
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2016
My inspiration: My students! In every facet of my teaching and performance career
Few people know that I… am a great cook!
Education: University of North Texas – BA, Music with an Emphasis in Vocal Jazz
I play and teach: Voice and piano
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I lead my own band that plays all original music of the Jazz/R&B/Soul aesthetic. I also co-lead a group, AMP+T, that plays original jazz music and re-imagined standards. I am a frequent side-woman offering my voice as a background vocalist or featured vocalists for many different styles of music including jazz, pop, and country even! I currently work as a vocalist for the Band Method’s Broadway Project band, which allows me to travel and sing extensively!
Name: Christine Cornell
From: Connecticut
I started teaching music in… 2012
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… This is my first year!
My inspiration: Julie Andrews, Ella Fitzgerald, Noel Coward, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), Nancy Wilson (jazz legend), Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Riccardo Muti, Jeanine Tesoro, and Frank Loesser.
Few people know that I… Love drawing and Calligraphy.
Education: Indiana University Jacobs School of Music — Vocal Performance, Manhattan School of Music — Voice Performance
I play and teach: Voice!
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I’m a dues paying member of Actors Equity, I belong to Ghostlight Chorus NYC, Brooklyn Harmonics of BKCM, and I have my own jazz group Christine Cornell and the Quartet.
Name: Heather Curran
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I started teaching music in… 2010
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2017
My inspiration: William Wade
Few people know that I… once took a stand-up comedy class, and it was terrifying
Education: University of South Florida – BA Theater Performance
I play and teach: Voice
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I teach Sing for Parkinson’s Disease through Mark Morris Dance Center, perform and work with Gallery Players in Brooklyn, teach and perform with Broadway’s Babies, and am collaborating on a music improv/sketch comedy project with other artists from Magnet Theater.
Name: Lyuba Dubov
From: Minsk, Belarus
I started teaching music in…2002
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2006
My inspiration: My family
Few people know that I… like cross country skiing
Education: Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens College – BM
Teachers College at Columbia University – MA, Music Education
I play and teach: Piano
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I’m a freelance accompanist.
Name: Caitlin Featherstone
From: Southern California
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2008
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2017
My inspiration: Maurice Andre, Alison Balsom, The Fab Five
Few people know that I… Know way too much about Broadway, wine, and dogs
Education: Oberlin Conservatory, BM Trumpet Performance
I play and teach: Trumpet and other brass
My other artistic/musical endeavors: Orphan Jane, Prospect Brass Quintet, Chelsea Symphony
Name: Rachel Feldhaus
I’m from: Charleston, West Virginia
I started teaching music in… 2006
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2019
My inspiration: Joan of Arc is an all-time inspiration. Musically, I’m inspired by all female-identifying individuals for their talents, contributions, strength, and presence in the music world.
Few people know that I… Speak 3 languages and am diligently learning more. If I had a superpower it’d be able to speak all the languages of the world!
Education: West Virginia University – Bachelor of the Arts in Music
I play and teach: Play: violin, piano, guitar, some trumpet.Teach: Vioin and Piano
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I currently play with the String Orchestra of Brooklyn and sub for the Highline String Quartet when needed. I’m part of the surf-rock duo The Everly Ills. I’m currently composing a “Sound Bath” piece for a gallery premier this month. I’m also an apprentice at Short Stack Studios in Greenpoint, learning music production and engineering and working on my own solo album.
Name: Brian Floody
From: New York City
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 1998
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2002
My inspiration: Duke Ellington, John Coltrane
Few people know that I… speak Portuguese
Education: New School for Social Research – BFA
I play and teach: Drumset, Tympani, Percussion
My other artistic/musical endeavors: Frequent performances at Smalls and Mezzrow jazz clubs with groups lead by trumpeter Alex Norris, pianist Anthony Wonsey, vocalist Melissa Morgan and others. Weekly residency at Tooker Alley in Brooklyn.
Name: Amos Kwaku Gabia
I’m from… Ghana
I started teaching music in… 2002
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2013
My inspiration: Mamady Keita, Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, Babara Bangoura,
Few people know that I… have done shows where I eat fire and perform other tricks with fire.
I play and teach: djembe, dun dun, and other instruments from West Africa
My other artistic/musical endeavors: Salaka Dance Ensemble, African Beat,Telema Ensemble, Drum Cafe, Wasa Pan Africa Orchestra, Riclis Multicultural Entertainment, Akwaba Ensemble.
Name: Michel Gentile
I’m from… Montreal, Canada
I started teaching music in… 1983
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 1998
My inspiration: Klee, Ligeti, Trane, Messi, Bach, Mompou
Few people know that I… enjoy birding
Education: Concordia – BFA
New England Conservatory – MM
I play and teach: Flute, recorder
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I run the nonprofit Connection Works and I am part of several groups
Name: Agustin Grasso
From: Argentina
I started teaching music in… 2008
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2018
My inspiration: Many . Billy Higgins , Hank Mobley , Art Blakey to name a few . Also Cuchi Leguizamon , Cedar Walton
Few people know that I… worked as a lead salsa singer
Education: Escuela de Musica Contemporanea,
I play and teach: Drums and Percussion
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I play with my own quintet , were we play original arrangements of jazz standards and other genres as well . I also play in two different organ trios were we play soul jazz classics and Latin American music. I also freelance a lot.
Name: Jenny Hill
I’m from… Originally, California. Now, Brooklyn, NY
I started teaching music in… 1987
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2003
My inspiration: John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Djavan, Moacir Santos, Barack Obama
Few people know that I… am in a popular reggae band that tours internationally, the Easy Star All-Stars
Education: Berklee College of Music – Diploma, jazz performance
I play and teach: saxophone, clarinet, flute, jazz band
My other artistic/musical endeavors: My original band, Liquid Horn. The Broken Reed Sax Quartet. The Easy Star All-Stars. My new Latin jazz CD, with original compositions: Groove Garden.
Name: Sara Holtzschue
I’m from… New York
I started teaching music in… 1987
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 1999
My inspiration: Nina Simone
Few people know that I… love jellyfish
Education: Barnard College, Columbia University – A.B., Music
New England Conservatory – M.M., Jazz Composition
I play and teach: Flute, voice, piano, composition
My other artistic/musical endeavors: Sara Holtzschue Trio and Quartet.
Name: Ochion Jewell
I’m from… Kentucky/California/Brooklyn
I started teaching music in… 2002
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2010
My inspiration: Arvo Pärt, Nicola Tesla, Daniel Day Lewis, Sarah Vaughn, Miles Davis, Pablo Picasso, Michael Jordan, Slavoj Žižek, Jimi Hendrix
Few people know that I… am an obsessed college basketball fanatic.
Education: University of Louisville – BM, Performance
California Institute of the Arts – MFA, Jazz Studies
I play and teach: Tenor Saxophone – I teach all woodwinds
My other artistic/musical endeavors: Ochion Jewell Quartet, Bedstuy Ewe Ensemble, Bohio Music, duo with Cat Toren
Name: Areti Karkania
I’m from…. Athens, Greece
I started teaching music in… 2011
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2014
My inspiration: My students are my biggest inspiration.
Few people know that I… love stand up comedy!
Education: Greek Conservatory of Athens – Piano Performance, Music Theory
VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, IL) – Music Education
I play and teach: Piano, Orff Schulwerk
Name: Alison Mari
I’m from… Philadelphia, PA
I started teaching music in… 2010
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2017
My inspiartion: Albrecht Mayer (my favorite oboist), Mr. Kevin Rodgers (my h.s. band director), and Nature!
Few people know that I… can juggle!
Education: The College of New Jersey – Bachelor’s in Music Education
New York University – MM, Performance
I play and teach: Oboe, English horn, flute, saxophones, clarinet
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I am an active multi-woodwind freelancer in NY and the surrounding areas, and I love playing any and all types of music. I’ve been principal oboist with the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra for the last 4 years, and I am a member of the indie rock band Kurt Juergens and His Fellow Americans, where I play oboe, alto sax and sing harmonies. In addition, I play with the First Street woodwind quintet, which puts on an annual performance of quintet music and invites guests to prepare short performances to incorporate as part of the program.
Name: Pablo Masis
I’m from… Cleveland, Ohio
I started teaching music in… 2002
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2014
My inspiration: The music of Miles Davis inspired me to pursue a life of jazz study.
Few people know that I… spent four years of my childhood living on a Native American Reservation
Education: Lawrence University – BM, Trumpet Performance
University of New Orleans – MM, Jazz Studies
I play and teach: Trumpet
My or other artistic/musical endeavors: My jazz trio is my main ensemble, and I also perform with several large jazz ensembles and chamber music groups around the New York City area.
Name: Nadine Grisar Mikulewich
I’m from… Brooklyn
I started teaching music in… 1997
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2014
My inspiration: Female song writers and vocalists, like Bonnie Raitt
Few people know that I… was a founder and member of a children’s theatre dance company
Education: SUNY The College at Brockport – BA, Interdisciplinary Arts for Children, Dance Emphasis
New York University – MA, Dance Education
I play and teach: Djembe, guitar, ukulele
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I am a member of the Brooklyn Community Storytellers, and I sing with the Jalopy Chorus.
Name: Sean Moran
From: Brooklyn
I started teaching music in…1992
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 1999
My inspiration: Duke Ellington
Few people know that I… play in a metal band!
Education: Virginia Commonwealth University – Bachelor of Music
I play and teach: guitar, bass, composition, theory
My other artistic/musical endeavors: The Four Bags and my own trio called SUN TIGER
Name: Quinsin Nachoff
I’m from… Toronto, Canada
I started teaching music in… 1997
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2013
My inspiration: Bach, Bartok, Coltrane, Moog, Buchla, Xenakis, Charlie Parker, Cage, Stravinsky, Ligeti, Monk, Tom Waits, Garcia Marquez, Ivo Papasov, Einstein, Hawking, Rothko, van Gogh, etc., etc., etc.
Few people know that I… am not horrible at cooking a meal
Education: University of Toronto – BM, Performance with Honours
University of Toronto – MM, Performance
I play and teach: Saxophone and clarinet; composition, flute, recorder
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I lead a variety of my own groups (Flux, Ethereal Trio, Pyramid Project, etc.); I compose commissions for other ensembles (Turning Point Ensemble, Penderecki String Quartet, Greg Runions Big Band, Toronto Jazz Orchestra, etc.); and I work as a sideman with various ensembles in NYC.
Name: Uton Onyejekwe
From: New York
I started teaching music in… 2008
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2016
My inspiration: Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Debussy, Brian Wilson, Brando
Few people know that I… skipped grades in school
I play and teach: Voice, chorus, guitar, ukulele
My other artistic/musical endeavors: Play with Erin Maya and the Reckoning, the Kena Anae Band, also perform in various musicals, especially musicals involving actor/musicians. Also, compose and do sound work for choreographers and film.
Name: Jeremy Powell
I’m from… Largo, Florida
I started teaching music in… 2005
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2014
My inspiration: John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, J.S. Bach, Radiohead, Bibio, Toninho Horta, Guinga, J. Dilla, Robert Glasper, as well as people who are always truthful, ego-less, and treat others equally with respect and dignity.
Few people know that I… have never taken a selfie 🙂
Education: Jazz Performance, Jazz Composition,
I play and teach: Saxophones, clarinet, flute, piano
My other artistic/musical endeavors: In NYC I can be seen playing with Arturo O’Farill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Iris Ornig, Adderesound, Grupo Rebolu, Pedro Giraudo, Dan Pugach Nonet, Banda Nueva York, and numerous Big Bands.
Name: Alicia Rau
I’m from… Shelby, Iowa, but New York since 2001
I started teaching music in… 1994. I started giving trumpet lessons to younger band kids even as a high school band student
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2004
My inspiration: There are so many! To name a few: Clark Terry, Duke Ellington, Blue Mitchell, Chet Baker, Marcus McLaurine, & Christian Scott. Also my own hard-working parents, my artistic family, colleagues which I learn from endlessly, and athletes with which I train (cycling).
Few people know that I… am the youngest of six girls, all artistic. Not everyone knows I am also a long-distance cyclist and volunteer coach.
Education: University of Iowa – Music, Anthropology (double major)
I play and teach: Trumpet and piano. I also sing and play percussion, but I do not teach these.
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I lead my own jazz quartet, aRAUz. I perform with Gordon Gano (of the Violent Femmes), Denis Leary Rehab Horns, Paris New York, the Bogmen, Mission Dance, Booga Sugar, From Russia with Swing, and Jack Jeffers & the New York Classics.
Name: Fabio Rojas
From: Valencia, Venezuela
I started teaching music in… 2005
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2019
My inspiration: My Family.
Few people know that I… Love cars.
Education:
Berklee College of Music. Bachelor of Music in Performance & Professional Music (Dual major)
Queens College. MM in Jazz Studies(currently studying)
I play and teach: Drum Set/Percussion
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I perform with my band Fabio Rojas Quartet, and many other projects and artists such as: David Bixler “Blended Lineage”, David Bixler “Hugues Project”, Greg Osby Band, Kevin Harris, Sara Ontaneda, John Lockwood, Jon Cowherd, Manuel Valera, Bill Pierce, among many others, and around the globe.
Name: Eli Spindel
I’m from… Newton, Massachusetts
I started teaching music in… 2010
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2012
My inspiration: I’m inspired by whichever musicians I’m working with at the moment!
Few people know that I… fight crime by night
Education: Vassar College – BA, Music with honors
I play and teach: Violin
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I’m Artistic Director of the String Orchestra of Brooklyn
Name: Jennifer Taylor
I’m from… Westchester, NY
I started teaching music in… 2016
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2018
My inspiration: Musically, I’m very inspired by my peers and past professors but in all other aspects of life, my biggest inspiration is my mom!
Few people know that I… was extremely interested in circus arts throughout middle and high school- I used to ride a unicycle!
Education: Elon University, Music Education (K-12), Teachers College, Columbia University, Music Education (Early Childhood Concentration)
I play and teach: Alto Saxophone, Ukulele
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I’ll be in the BKCM Big Bad Brass Band this fall!
Name: Brian Thompson
I’m from… Binghamton, NY
I started teaching music in… 2007
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2013
My inspiration: The natural world
Few people know that I… am also a visual artist (pencil, ink, watercolor)
Education: Cornell University – BS, Ecology
CUNY Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music – MM, Viola Performance
I play and teach: violin, viola, piano
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I’m a freelance member of a wide variety of ensembles, including The Chelsea Symphony, The String Orchestra of Brooklyn, Spectrum Symphony, Symphony of Westchester, Composers Concordance, Symphony Orchestra of The Americas, Ideal Ensembles, The Dream Unfinished, New York Concert Artists, Eco-Music Big Band, Concordia College Ensembles, Adelphi University Symphony, Empire City Men’s Chorus, Garden State Philharmonic, Empire Chamber Orchestra, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Astoria Symphony, National Yiddish Theater.
Name: Bryan Vargas
From: Brooklyn, NY
I started teaching music in… 1998
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2017
My inspiration: Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Prince, Eddie Palmieri, The Ramones, Gil Scott Heron, Pedro Pietri, Kurt Vonnegut, Neil Gaiman, Jim Henson and so many more
Few people know that I… Bicycle everywhere I can, all year round
Education: New York University, Bachelors of Music
SUNY Purchase Masters of Music
I play and teach: Guitar & Ukulele
My other artistic/musical endeavors: Falu’s Bazaar – Grammy Nominated bilingual Children’s project, Chop & Quench – the band from the Broadway Musical Fela!, Assoc. Music Director of Fela! National Broadway Tour, Miramar – bolero group featured on PBS, Bryan Vargas & Ya Está – original latin jazz group featured on Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” Netflix series
Name: Jay Vilnai
I’m from… Jerusalem
I started teaching music in… 2002
I started teaching at the Conservatory in… 2014
My inspiration: In music, the gamut runs from Brahms to Bartók to Bowie. Otherwise, writers such as Shakespeare, Rilke, and Lydia Davis are constantly on my mind as I go through my day.
Few people know that I… also teach language, and use many of the same techniques as I do in music.
Education: The New School – BFA, Jazz Performance
CUNY Brooklyn College – MM, Composition
I play and teach: Guitar, composition, theory
My other artistic/musical endeavors: I mostly write music for other performers.