Italian at Eastman

The Language of the Opera Guido of Monaco codified modern Western music notation in Arezzo in the 11th century. Since Claudo Monteverdi’s Orpheus provided the first fully developed example of Baroque opera in 1607 Italian has been the language of opera. Course of study The Humanities Department offers a comprehensive program of study in Italian language, diction, literature,…

German at Eastman

The Humanities Department offers a comprehensive program of study in German language, lyric diction, and literature/ culture. Courses at Eastman include: Two-semester sequence of Elementary German Two-semester sequence of Intermediate German Two semesters of German Lyric Diction Extensive course list in Advanced German, including: German Romanticism Heine to Kafka Beyond Monolingualism: Hybrid Voices in Contemporary…

Derek Conrod

Visiting Instructor of Natural Horn

Derek Conrod Visiting Instructor of Natural Horn   DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass, & PercussionCONTACT INFO585-274-1550BIOGRAPHY Horn player Derek Conrod is a member of the National Ballet Orchestra (Toronto), Music in Common, and the Stratford Festival Orchestra, and was for 30 seasons a member of Toronto’s acclaimed period orchestra, Tafelmusik. In addition to his work at Eastman, he teaches at…

Michael Burritt

Professor of Percussion

Michael Burritt Professor of Percussion Paul J. Burgett Distinguished Professor Khan VariationsMirage (CD Track) DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass, & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Professor Burritt585-274-1482Percussion Studio WebsiteBIOGRAPHY Having performed on four continents and more than forty states, Michael Burritt is one of his generation’s leading percussionists. He is in frequent demand, performing concert tours and master classes throughout the…

Geoffrey Burgess

Instructor of Baroque Oboe

Geoffrey Burgess Instructor of Baroque Oboe   DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass, & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Dr. BurgessBIOGRAPHY Geoffrey Burgess is known internationally as a performer of historical oboes. For twenty years a member of the Paris-based opera company Les Arts Florissants, Geoffrey has also given concerts with leading early music groups in throughout Europe, Australasia and the US.…

Bonita Boyd

Professor of Flute

Bonita Boyd Professor of Flute   Paganini: Caprices, Op. 1 – 24. Capriccio #24 In A Minor (Flute Version)Paganini: Caprices, Op. 1 – 5. Capriccio #5 In A Minor (Flute Version) DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass, & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Professor Boyd585-274-1445Personal WebsiteBIOGRAPHY Born in Pittsburgh, Bonita Boyd grew up in Long Beach, California. Her early teachers included Maurice…

John Beck

Professor Emeritus of Percussion

John Beck Professor Emeritus of Percussion BIOGRAPHY John H. Beck has been a member of the Eastman faculty since 1959. He received his bachelor’s degree (1955) and master’s degree (1962), as well as Performer’s Certificate from Eastman. He retired from Eastman in 2008 and continues as Professor Emeritus of Percussion and teaches a class in…

James VanDemark

Professor of Double Bass

James VanDemark Professor of Double Bass Co-Chair, Strings, Harp, & Guitar Department DEPARTMENTStrings, Harp & GuitarCONTACT INFOEmail Professor VanDemarkBIOGRAPHY One of the most brilliant virtuosi ever to perform on the double bass, James VanDemark was hailed by the New York Times at his Lincoln Center recital debut as “an exceptionally gifted string player and a musician of…

George Taylor

Professor of Viola

George Taylor Professor of Viola Night Suite: Night In TunisiaHispanic Fantasie DEPARTMENTStrings, Harp & GuitarCONTACT INFOEmail Professor Taylor585-274-1601BIOGRAPHY “In the hands of an outstanding artist like Taylor, the instrument seems almost heaven-sent,” wrote John Lambert in the Spectator of George Taylor, violist. Taylor is active in practically every aspect of performance as soloist, recitalist and…

Ahirm Kim

Associate Professor of Orchestral Repertory (Violoncello)

Ahrim Kim Associate Professor of Orchestral Repertory (Violoncello) DEPARTMENTStrings, Harp & GuitarCONTACT INFOEmail Professor KimBIOGRAPHY The Clara and Edwin Strasenburgh Chair Ahrim Kim is an accomplished soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader who joined the RPO as principal cellist in the fall of 2015. She was awarded the Cassado Prize at the Gaspar CassadoInternational Cello Competition in Japan and top prizes…