Robin Connell

Background

About Robin Connell

DR. ROBIN CONNELL Working again- Teaching Jazz Piano ( & Theory) at Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, and privately- Performing concerts (the Listening Room in GR, The Block in Muskegon), and at clubs (GRNoir), restaurants (the Old Goat) and private events- Clincs/Adjudication (MSBOA)- Conference Presenter (JEN, Jazz Education Network) Prior to the 2020-21 Pandemic, Dr. Robin Connell (University of N Colorado) kept a busy and varied schedule as jazz pianist, music educator, and composer/conductor. All of her self-employed performances, as well as employed work (music educator and conducting), were cancelled due to the pandemic. Co-Conductor of the Youth Jazz Program at the St Cecilia Music Center (2014-2020), Conductor of the Grand Band (2018-2020) and host of Jazz in the Sanctuary at Fountain St Church (since 2014), Dr. Connell's commissioned works include pieces for the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, various high schools, All-State and regional jazz bands. The recipient of multiple arts grants, an artist residency from the National Endowment for the Arts, and an early member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, Connell’s most recent Academic Recognition was January, 2020, as a Presenter and Clinician at the Jazz Education Network (JEN) annual conference in New Orleans. Recent Artistic Recognition Awards include Artprize2016 (for original music composition) and the West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2017 'Musician of the Year.' She taught jazz studies for twenty summers at the Interlochen Arts Camp, taught music theory at Grand Rapids Community College for seventeen years, and continues teaching jazz studies at Aquinas College (since