Faculty

Jazz Studies Program

LAURA DREYER - Jazz Saxophone, Clarinet
Berklee College of Music. Studied: Joe Viola, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Lyle Mays, Hal Stein, and Jim McNeely. Performed with own band at Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC), Syracuse Jazz Festival, 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 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, Riverdale Country School, Church St. School for Music and Art. Three time recipient: grants from the National Endowment for the Arts; recipient and 2 grants, The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, 2010. CD on Sony Latin/Piloo Records: "Free Flying Bird."

MICHAEL GOETZ - Jazz Bass
B.M., University of Miami; M.F.A., SUNY Purchase. Studied: Dr. Lucas Drew, Eddie Gomez, Michael Moore. Jazz performances include: Ira Sullivan, Pete Minger, Joe Beck, Ray Vega, Dave Stzyker. Broadway credits include: Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Crazy for You, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables. Movie recordings: Femme Fatale, Twilight, Snake Eyes. Faculty: University of Bridgeport, Yorktown School District.

WILLIAM KOMAIKO - Jazz and Classical Piano
B.M., M.S., DMA studies, The Juilliard School. Studied: Rudolph Ganz, Sascha Gorodnitzki, Elliott Carter, Robert Helps, Sophia Rosoff, Ralph Edward Dodds. Awards: The George Gershwin Memorial Prize, outstanding teacher award from the White House. Performance: William Komaiko Trio w/Vernel Fournier, Dick Sarpola; Speculum Musicae (the original group), Michael Moore, Glen Velez, Dick Hyman, Donald Byrd, other jazz and classical artists. Recipient: national commission celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington D.C.), Piano Soloist/ Composer/Conductor. Faculty: Mannes College of Music, Sarah Lawrence College, Princeton University, The Juilliard School.

ED PALERMO - Saxophone, Guitar, Jazz Ensembles, Coordinator of Jazz Program, Musicianship
B.M., DePaul University. Jazz sax 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 world-wide concerts dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa, as well as his original material. Featured: NPR's Weekend Edition. His CD, "the ed palermo big band plays the music of frank zappa" earned 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine. Arranged music for one of James Brown's final Hollywood Bowl concerts.