Teaching Philosophy
Every student has a unique relationship with music, has different reasons for being interested in music-making, and has different musical strengths and weaknesses. The teacher’s job is to guide the student in developing their musical knowledge and technical proficiency so that the student has the language, vocabulary, and technical skills to best express themselves. Every student receives a customized approach that is designed around his or her abilities, goals, and progress.
Teaching Studio
Lesson with Buster Williams, Sept. 2018
Kris leads an active music studio teaching lessons in jazz and classical double bass, electric bass, music theory, improvisation, jazz and classical composition and arranging, as well as beginner and intermediate lessons in guitar, violin, and piano. Kris has maintained an active teaching studio since 2012, teaching students of all ages and levels of experience. Kris offers private lessons at his home studio on the Upper West Side in NYC, travels to students' homes for a nominal fee, and teaches online via Zoom.
Teaching Experience
Kris has served as...
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Composition and Jazz faculty at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) Summer Program
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Professor of Music Fundamentals at George Mason University
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Instructor of Jazz History at Rutgers University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
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Substitute faculty member for the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division
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Music Teacher at various NYC public & private K-12 schools
Teaching Composition at MSM Summer , July 2022
Master Class at UT San Antonio, April 2022
... has given Master Classes at:
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University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)
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University of Virginia (VA)
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Note Music Institute (México)
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Panama Jazz Festival (Panamá)
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University of Central Arkansas (AR)
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Furman University (SC)
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University of Mary Washington (VA)
- Community College of Baltimore County (MD)
... and has presented research or original compositions at:
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College Music Society (CMS) 2023 Northeast Regional Conference (CT)
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Jazz Education Network (JEN) 2022 Annual Conference (TX)
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Delta State University 2021 International Conference on the Blues (MS)
Upcoming:
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College Music Society (CMS) 2023 International Conference (Estonia)
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International Society of Bassists (ISB) 2023 Conference (MI)