About Dr. Piascik
kennethpiascik.com
In 2013, Dr. Piascik was announced as a quarter finalist in the GRAMMY Foundation's first ever Music Educator Award. Out of more than 30,000 nominees, 217 teachers from across the country were selected. Dr. Piascik was one of 16 from New Jersey.
In 2017, Dr. Piascik was named a
"Teacher Who Rocks" by WDHA In 2019, Dr. Piascik was named New Jersey's
"Director Who Makes a Difference" by SBO |
~ Dr. Piascik's Biography ~
Dr. Kenneth Piascik has always walked to his own beat. Dedicated to performing a wide range of music and providing the best education to students at the university and public school level, he makes for a good story around the campfire.
Once upon a time… a young boy was given the chance to play the drums at his uncle’s wedding. From that time on, all he could think about was the drums. It was not until 1982, when he started studying percussion with Stuart Miller and then met Joe Mekler, that his world began a whole new journey that encouraged him to attend William Paterson University, under the tutelage of Ray Des Roches, and perform with the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble.
After a short intermission with his rock band and programming computers at AT&T, the young adult was summoned back to the university to begin his graduate work. This is where he first experienced the joy and power of teaching and decided to complete his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
“Sunday’s concert was well attended, and the loudest approval went to the most radical work, Mr. Cage’s “Construction,” in a bristling, electric performance…One does not often hear so many shouted bravos… – James R. Oestreich, The New York Times (Chamber Society of Lincoln Center Concert)”
Dedicated to performing new music of the 20th and 21st centuries, Dr. Piascik has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Charles Ives Festival, the Composers Guild of New Jersey, Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players and the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble. While living in San Francisco, Dr. Piascik was an active member with the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, UC Davis Contemporary Music Players, Earplay, New Music Works and West Bay Opera. In addition to several domestic and international tours, Dr. Piascik has also been featured on television, National Public Radio, and has recorded on many labels.
“Davie’s “Gemini Music,” written expressly for the California Youth Symphony [percussion] Ensemble, showcased this high school age group’s impressive abilities and discipline…The groups split-second timing, and unswerving attention to director, Kenneth Piascik assured an exciting ride. – Phyllis Rosenblum, Sentinel”
“The entire percussion section could also move bodily into any professional orchestra – Keith Kreitman, San Mateo Times, about the California Youth Symphony”
In addition to being an active chamber musician and soloist, Dr. Piascik is deeply committed to music education. Besides clinics and workshops, Dr. Piascik has taught at Foothill College, Stanford University, Rutgers University, Manhattan School of Music, New Jersey City University and the County College of Morris. Dr. Piascik is also proud of his private studio, AmusiK Studio (est. 1991) in which he is honored that several of his students are actively involved in music, both professionally and at leading music schools throughout the United States. To further develop young percussionists, Dr. Piascik has directed numerous percussion ensembles including founding the renowned California Youth Symphony's Percussion Program.
After moving to New Jersey, Dr. Piascik founded the New Jersey Youth Symphony Percussion Ensemble and taught the 4 orchestras as Percussion Director from 2007-2017. Dr. Piascik is proud to have helped them win first place in the International Youth Competition (in Vienna) several times, take the percussion ensemble on several tours, and bring percussion to a new level in New Jersey. Please check out kennethpiascik.com for more information about Dr. Piascik's current percussion programs.
Besides spending time with his family and playing his drums, Dr. Piascik is currently on the faculty at Black River Middle School in Chester. Dr. Piascik is also honored to be endorsed by Marimba One, Vic Firth, and Sabian cymbals.
Once upon a time… a young boy was given the chance to play the drums at his uncle’s wedding. From that time on, all he could think about was the drums. It was not until 1982, when he started studying percussion with Stuart Miller and then met Joe Mekler, that his world began a whole new journey that encouraged him to attend William Paterson University, under the tutelage of Ray Des Roches, and perform with the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble.
After a short intermission with his rock band and programming computers at AT&T, the young adult was summoned back to the university to begin his graduate work. This is where he first experienced the joy and power of teaching and decided to complete his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
“Sunday’s concert was well attended, and the loudest approval went to the most radical work, Mr. Cage’s “Construction,” in a bristling, electric performance…One does not often hear so many shouted bravos… – James R. Oestreich, The New York Times (Chamber Society of Lincoln Center Concert)”
Dedicated to performing new music of the 20th and 21st centuries, Dr. Piascik has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Charles Ives Festival, the Composers Guild of New Jersey, Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players and the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble. While living in San Francisco, Dr. Piascik was an active member with the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, UC Davis Contemporary Music Players, Earplay, New Music Works and West Bay Opera. In addition to several domestic and international tours, Dr. Piascik has also been featured on television, National Public Radio, and has recorded on many labels.
“Davie’s “Gemini Music,” written expressly for the California Youth Symphony [percussion] Ensemble, showcased this high school age group’s impressive abilities and discipline…The groups split-second timing, and unswerving attention to director, Kenneth Piascik assured an exciting ride. – Phyllis Rosenblum, Sentinel”
“The entire percussion section could also move bodily into any professional orchestra – Keith Kreitman, San Mateo Times, about the California Youth Symphony”
In addition to being an active chamber musician and soloist, Dr. Piascik is deeply committed to music education. Besides clinics and workshops, Dr. Piascik has taught at Foothill College, Stanford University, Rutgers University, Manhattan School of Music, New Jersey City University and the County College of Morris. Dr. Piascik is also proud of his private studio, AmusiK Studio (est. 1991) in which he is honored that several of his students are actively involved in music, both professionally and at leading music schools throughout the United States. To further develop young percussionists, Dr. Piascik has directed numerous percussion ensembles including founding the renowned California Youth Symphony's Percussion Program.
After moving to New Jersey, Dr. Piascik founded the New Jersey Youth Symphony Percussion Ensemble and taught the 4 orchestras as Percussion Director from 2007-2017. Dr. Piascik is proud to have helped them win first place in the International Youth Competition (in Vienna) several times, take the percussion ensemble on several tours, and bring percussion to a new level in New Jersey. Please check out kennethpiascik.com for more information about Dr. Piascik's current percussion programs.
Besides spending time with his family and playing his drums, Dr. Piascik is currently on the faculty at Black River Middle School in Chester. Dr. Piascik is also honored to be endorsed by Marimba One, Vic Firth, and Sabian cymbals.