Experience:
9+ years teaching all ages
Education:
BA in Music – Stony Brook University. Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
Located:
Manhattan, NYC
Ben is a bassist/guitarist from Long Island, NY. Growing up, he was actively involved in his school’s music department, and performed with various groups including the renowned Nassau-Suffolk Jazz Ensemble. Ben then attended Stony Brook University where he studied both classical and jazz performance, along with composition, theory, and history from professors such as world-class trombonist Ray Anderson, and renowned composer Peter Winkler. At Stony Brook, Ben rose to the top of his class receiving multiple awards for musicianship and academics and went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude. Currently, Ben is living in New York City as a musician and teacher. He can be seen playing throughout the country with many different groups that range though all musical styles. Most recently, Ben has performed with singer/songwriter Alex Jules, composer Martin Loyato, singer/songwriter Andrea Daly, fiddler Erin Slaver, and has performed at various venues and events such as: the Long Island Music Festival, Jazz on the Vine Winterfest, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Barrier Blues Festival, Martha Clara Vineyard, Folk-2-Funk Festival, Jerry Garcia Fest, the Bitter End, Miles Cafe, Shrine Harlem, Danford’s Hotel and Marina, Columbia University, Fordam University, PBS television, many weddings, clubs, restaurants, private events and countless others. Ben has taught at various schools throughout the tri-state area, in addition to leading master classes and workshops. As an instructor, Ben is supportive and inspiring, and creates individual lesson plans tailored to the unique abilities and goals of each student. He says: “It’s not what you play, but how you play it.”
