Executive Director and Dean • Department Coordinators Strings • Woodwinds • Brass • Percussion • Guitar Piano • Voice • Chamber Music • Composition • Conducting Eurhythmics • Musicianship • Music Technology Lab Jazz Studies Program • The Preschool Center Jazz Studies Program ANN BELMONT - Jazz Guitar, Electric Bass B.S.CUNY Baccalaureate, guitar/composition. Studied: John Abercrombie, Jack Wilkins, Jim McNeely. Guitarist: Swing Fever, Hall of Fame Band, Big Apple Playback Theater. Bassist: Pure Gospel America and many other theatrical productions. Two nominations for BMI Charlie Parker Prize in jazz orchestral composition. LAURA DREYER - Jazz Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet Berklee College of Music. Studied with Joe Viola, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Lyle Mays, Hal Stein, and Jim McNeely. Performed with own band at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC), the Syracuse Jazz Festival, and various NYC venues. Sideperson with Diva (lead alto), Dr. Billy Taylor, Nenna Freelon, Walter Bishop Jr., Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., Dom Salvador, Helcio Milito and many others. Extensive performing and touring in the US, Japan, and Europe as a jazz artist. Current faculty of the New York Pops "Salute to Music" program, and regular columnist for the magazine "Saxophone Journal". Two time recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. WILLIAM KOMAIKO - Jazz and Classical Piano B.M., M.S., DMA studies, The Juilliard School. Studied: Carter, Gorodnitzki, Helps. Awards: George Gershwin Memorial Prize; outstanding teacher award from the White House. Performance includes national commission as pianist/composer/conductor celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Kennedy Center. Faculty: Mannes College of Music. ED PALERMO - Saxophone B.M., DePaul University. Jazz saz player and arranger. Spent the past 30 years playing with such artists as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Tito Puente, Aretha Franklin, Mel Torme, and many others. Leads the Ed Palermo Big Band which plays worldwide concerts dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa, as well as his original material. His CD, "the ed palermo big band plays the music of frank zappa" earned 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine. Director: West Orange Arts Council summer jazz workshops. ROLF STURM - Jazz Guitar B.F.A. Ithaca College, jazz guitar; Studied: Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, Berklee College of Music. Studied: Jim Hall, Joe Pass, John Abercrombie, Bill Frisell. Guitarist for Eddy Arnold, Giora Feidman Quartet, Tony Trischka Band, Feed The Meter, Illuminati, Walter Thompson Orchestra, Tricycle. www.rolfsturm.org. JON VERCESI - Jazz Piano B.S., Piano Jazz Performance, NYU. M.A.,Teaching Music, Lehman College. New York State Certification K - 12. Studied: Jim McNeely, James Williams, Barry Harris. Performs: Broadway show orchestras; Nationally broadcast radio and television commercials. Music Director: VH1 Specials. Performance and/or recordings: Ronan Tynan, David Byrne, Idina Menzel, Jerry /Vale, Donny Osmond, The Spinners, The Mirales, SWV. top of page