Dr. Robin Connell 215 Baynton NE Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503 616-881-2330 www.robinconnell.com
Employment - Teaching 1999-2015 Aquinas College, Adjunct Faculty – Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Jazz Piano 2001-2015 Grand Rapids Community College Adjunct Faculty Music Theory, Piano, Jazz Piano, Jazz Improvisation, Vocal Jazz 2014-2015 St Cecilia Music Center, High School Jazz Combo Director [weekly rehearsals] 1990-2009 Interlochen Center for the Arts, Summer Faculty Jazz Composition & Arranging, Jazz Piano/Voice, HS Jazz Ensemble 1996-1999 University of Southern Colorado, Adjunct Faculty Music Theory/Comp, Orchestration, Voice, Chamber Choir, Jazz Band, Music Appreciation 1996-1999 Pueblo Community College, Adjunct Faculty Music History, Music Appreciation, Survey of the Humanities 1993-1994 Garden City Community College (KS), Artist in Residence Faculty Jazz Quartet (Leader), funded by GCCC and the National Endowment for the Arts. The quartet worked as teachers and consultants with the GCCC Band Director on development of the college jazz program including curriculum development, jazz band and combos. Our responsibilities also included representing the college and student recruitment through regional touring (KS, OK, NE, TX). 1991-1993 University of Northern Colorado, Graduate Teaching Assistant Jazz combo program director, leader of Combo I, Director of Vocal Jazz III, Jazz History, Assistant to Jazz Program Director 1984-1989 Long Island University (Brooklyn), Adjunct Faculty– Applied Piano
Employment – Other 2014-2015 Co-Producer and Host - Jazz in the Sanctuary at Fountain Street Church, concert series 1979-2015 Self-employed Pianist, Bandleader, Vocalist, Composer/Arranger, Music Director 2000-2001 Fountain Street Church choir accompanist & substitute organist 1997-1999 Pueblo Congregational Church choir accompanist/choir director
Other Professional Experience Guest Artist/Clinician (jazz piano) – schools in MI, NY, CO, KS, OK, NE, IL, CT, OH, NM Wichita Jazz Festival, Tulsa Jazz Festival Conference Clinican/Performer – two IAJE conferences in NYC and one each in Chicago & Atlanta Conference Clinican/Performer - IMEA (IL), CMEA (CO), KMEA (KS), MMEA (MA) All State Jazz Band Conductor/Composer – 1998 MMEA Guest Composer/Conductor – 1994 Colorado State University Honor Jazz Band Guest Composer/Conductor – 1994-1999 high schools throughout Colorado Arranger – pit orchestra, string quartet, Pops orchestra, vocal jazz ensemble, jazzband/combo Jazz Pianist –with artists including: Al Hirt, Ron McClure, John Stubblefield, Ted Nash, Steve Johns, Ron Miles, Vincent DiMartino, Lester Bowie, Steve Lippia Leader, Jazz Quartet – Robin Connell and Focal Point, performances at clubs and festivals in NYC, NJ, CT Vocalist - commercials aired regionally in NYC Music Director – Brooklyn Academy of Music performance of original Opera by Fred Ho, Chinaman’s Chance Choral Director – Jazz Coalition of NY premiere of Ricky Ford’s, Back To America
Education 1999 Doctor of Arts in Music Theory/Comp, Univeristy of Northern Colorado 1993 Master of Music in Music Theory/Comp, Univeristy of Northern Colorado 1979 Bachelor of Philosophy in Music, Grand Valley State Colleges 1989-91 BMI Jazz Composers Workshop w/Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Albam 1982-89 Jazz composition/orchestration w/Don Sebesky, Michael Gibbs, Earl McIntyre 1981-89 Jazz Piano w/Andy Laverne, Kenny Werner, Norman Simmons, Joanne Brackeen 1985 Vocal Jazz Workshop w/Harold Mabern, Abbey Lincoln (eight weeks)
Music Grants and Awards 2001 Michigan Council on the Arts – ArtServe Music Composition Project Grant [$8000] 1998 Colorado Council on the Arts – Music Composition Project Grant [$4900] 1996 Colorado Council on the Arts – Music Composition Project Grant [$4500] 1994 Colorado Council on the Arts – Recognition Fellowship Award [$4000] 1993 National Endowment for the Arts – Artist in Residence [$9000] 1992 Downbeat Magazine – Best College Pop-Rock Combo, director 1989-1991 Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) Jazz Composers Workshop [by invitation only/tuition free] 1988 National Endowment for the Arts – Jazz Composition Study Grant [$2000]
Selected Commissioned Compositions/Performances Cello Duo [www.arayaduo.com 4/05/09 Cincinnati, OH concert] Seven Seas [2007-2009 ISU Lab School performances at IMEA and ORFF conferences] Hip Hop Gidget [Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra CD Live on Tap] Hole Steps [GVSU Faculty Nonet 2003] Eight Hand Mallet [Interlochen HS Percussion Ensemble 1997] American Scenes [Fort Collins HS Wind Ensemble 1999] Sueno del Fiesta [Norton Shores HS Jazz Band 2001] Wiggle Worm [Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra 2001] Derailed [Massachusetts All-State Jazz Band 1998] Giant [Independent film score 1996] Zeno’s Dream [MOBI New Music Ensemble 1991, mixed winds and strings] Manhattan Poetry Video Project [Public Theatre, NY 1984, with Allen Ginsburg]
Publications Jazz Big Band: Wiggle Worm, Hip-Hop Gidget, Sueno del Fiesta, Warren Street, Travelin’ [Walrus Music, CA] Sonatina for Contrabass: Calvin’s Capers [Mesa Music, Belgium] Introduction to Jazz Piano, a Method Book [self-published]
Further information: reviews, scores and recordings available upon request. www.robinconnell.com