Dr. Nick Weiser, a pianist steeped in both the jazz and classical idioms who has performed at events as far reaching as the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy, and Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival, has joined the School of Music as an assistant professor.
During his formative years in western Kansas, Dr. Weiser studied piano with the late jazz pianist, composer and arranger Frank Mantooth, before matriculating to the University of Kansas. There, he developed his classical background while maintaining an active involvement in jazz and musical theater programs, winning the prestigious Dick Wright Jazz Award in 2006 and performing with such greats as Peter Erskine, Ingrid Jensen, Rich Perry, John Abercrombie and Gary Foster, among others.
Weiser received his Bachelor of Music degree with highest distinction in 2008 before attending the Eastman School of Music, where he earned both his M.M. and D.M.A. in jazz and contemporary media. At Eastman, he studied with artists Harold Danko and Bill Dobbins and was a member of the Downbeat Award-winning Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, whose performance with renowned trombonist, composer and arranger Bob Brookmeyer garnered international acclaim.
Actively sharing his passion for music with others, Weiser has given lectures and master classes at universities and institutions nationwide. He maintains an extensive jazz and classical performance schedule throughout the Northeast.
