Dariusz Terefenko has a unique joint appointment as assistant professor in the departments of jazz studies and contemporary media, and music theory. Already having double master's degrees from Eastman (MM in jazz, 1998; MA in theory, 2003), Terefenko received his PhD in theory in 2004 with a specialty in Keith Jarrett's translations of standard tunes. A teaching assistant at Eastman since 1996, Terefenko teaches jazz history, theory, and improvisation through the jazz department, and intermediate keyboard skills and tonal improvisation through the theory department. As a pianist, Terefenko frequently returns to his native Poland to present lecture-recitals on the history of jazz at the University of Krakow and the University of Katowice. He also has given recitals at Poland's prestigious Festival of Polish Piano Music.
Terefenko is Visiting Professor of Jazz Music and Music Theory at the Polish National School of Music in Slawno (Poland), and is a member of the Society for Music Theory, the International Association of Jazz Educators, the Music Theory Society of New York State, and the Flower City Jazz Society. He performs regularly with the Smugtown Stompers and the Dave Rivello Ensemble, and has given solo recitals in Poland, Cuba, Toronto, and New York State. His awards include the Alfred Mann Dissertation Award (Eastman School of Music, 2005); the Pomeranian Academy Medal for the Most Distinguished Faculty Members (Slupsk, Poland, 2005); the Silver Star (I Lyceum, Slupsk, Poland, 2005); the Polish National Alliance (Rochester, 2002); the Polonia Civic Center (Rochester, 2002); an Ontario Arts Council Grant (Toronto, Canada, 1998, 1999); a Canada Council Grant for Performing Arts (Ottawa, Canada, 1996, 1997); and the Hambourg Memorial Award (Humber College, Toronto, Canada, 1992).
