NEW YORK STATE         MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

CONFERENCE | 2022

Guest Artist and Clinician: JEREMY SISKIND

Pianist-composer JEREMY SISKIND is “a genuine visionary” (Indianapolis Star) who “seems to defy all boundaries” (JazzInk) with music “rich in texture and nuance” (Downbeat). A top finisher in several national and international jazz piano competitions, Siskind is a two-time laureate of the American Pianists Association and the winner of the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Competition. Since making his professional debut juxtaposing Debussy’s Etudes with jazz standards at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, Siskind has established himself as one of the nation’s most innovative and virtuosic modern pianists.

Siskind’s multifaceted career often finds him combining musical styles and breaking aesthetic norms. As the leader of “The Housewarming Project,” Siskind has not only created “a shining example of chamber jazz” (Downbeat) whose albums often land on critics’ “best of the year” lists. He’s also established himself as a pioneer of the in-home concert movement by presenting well over 100 in-home concerts in 26 states.  In 2020, the Housewarming Project was a winner of a $30,000 grant from Chamber Music America's New Jazz Works program (supported by the Doris Duke Foundation).

On the 2020 duo album, Impressions of Debussy, Siskind explores Debussy’s Preludes through improvisation with saxophonist Andrew Rathbun. Similarly, his 2019 book-CD project, Perpetual Motion Etudes for Piano, blurs the line between classical, through-composed, piano etudes and jazz-based improvisations and invites other pianists to do the same through a beautifully self-published work that includes “Optional Improvisation Instructions” for each piece. Siskind has been experimenting with performing the pieces in collaboration with classical pianists, including Grammy-winner Angelin Chang, and through university residencies. Other projects include writing concert arrangements for rising star soprano Julia Bullock, composing the theme song for the 2017 Obie Awards, and serving as musical director for noted comediennes Lea DeLaria and Sandra Bernhard.   

A highly-respected educator, Siskind has written 13 publications with Hal Leonard, including the landmark instructional books Jazz Band Pianist, Playing Solo Jazz Piano and First Lessons in Piano Improv.  His self-published instructional book, Playing Solo Jazz Piano, which includes an introduction from jazz piano legend Fred Hersch, is generally one of the top 50 best-selling jazz books on Amazon.com. He currently teaches at California’s Fullerton College, chairs the National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy’s “Creativity Track,” and spreads peace through music in places like Lebanon, Tunisia, and Thailand with the non-profit organization, Jazz Education Abroad. Jeremy Siskind is a Yamaha artist.

​

Sessions

Incorporating Creativity Into Every Lesson (Hal Leonard Publishers Showcase) 

There is an overwhelming amount to do in a 30- or 45-minute lesson. While many teachers plan to include activities like improvisation, composition, and non-classical repertoire in their lessons, many inevitably run out of time. In this Hal Leonard showcase, pianist-composer Jeremy Siskind will share sneaky and successful ways to teach the whole student. Along the way, he will share resources that can help save teachers time and help your students become more creative learners. 

5 Things Every Piano Teacher Needs To Know About Jazz (But Is Afraid To Ask)

Almost every “traditional” piano teacher will be asked to teach jazz at some point in their career, yet few receive any real jazz training. Noted pedagogue and real-life jazz pianist Jeremy Siskind offers his 5 “Need to Know” Jazz Essentials to give you creative confidence in any teaching scenario and help you enliven all of your teaching. From the details of swing feel, to decoding the nuances of chord symbols, learn how you can guide your students towards expressive improvisation. Bring concerns, leave with confidence!

Finding Your Students’ “Emotional Rhythm”—The 6 Most Effective Exercises From The Whiteside Tradition

“Emotional rhythm” is a phrase coined by pedagogical legend Abby Whiteside, who believed that a good teacher should be able to get even their most “musically-challenged” students to play with natural expression by tapping into their core musicality. Jeremy Siskind, a Whiteside grand-student, will share six of Whiteside’s most effective activities to help transform a student’s musical experience. 

Piano Recital

Pianist-composer JEREMY SISKIND is “a genuine visionary” (Indianapolis Star) who “seems to defy all boundaries” (JazzInk) with music “rich in texture and nuance” (Downbeat). A top finisher in several national and international jazz piano competitions, Siskind is a two-time laureate of the American Pianists Association and the winner of the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Competition. Since making his professional debut juxtaposing Debussy’s Etudes with jazz standards at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, Siskind has established himself as one of the nation’s most innovative and virtuosic modern pianists.