Our faculty are expert teacher-scholars in the fields of performance, music theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, music journalism, and ensemble direction. They are active as practitioners, researchers, and freelance artists engaging in innovative and socially conscious work. The studio faculty are drawn from some of the top ensembles of the nation's capital such as the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, and "The President's Own" US Marine Band. Through close mentorship with AU professors, students are immersed in a diverse and inclusive world of music.
Please see below for faculty by area:
See also: Applied Music Faculty.
Dr. Ann T. Kang is Director of the Music Program. She teaches piano, chamber music, music theory and musicianship. She has been called a pianist of “admirable polish and sensitivity” by the Baltimore …
Jonathan Baumgarten is a flute instructor in the applied music program. He holds a MM from Juilliard where he was a scholarship student of Samuel Baron. He studied with Thomas Nyfenger on a National E…
Dr. Noah Getz is a saxophone instructor in the applied music program. He made his Carnegie Hall debut as the recipient of the National Alliance for Excellence Grand Prize and has presented solo recita…
A piano instructor in the applied music program, award-winning Russian-born American pianist Yuliya Gorenman has been called a "pianist without fear." Now firmly established in her performing career, …
Osman Kivrak, violist, was a winner of the National Scholarship Competition in Turkey, the Baltimore Chamber Music Awards, the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awards, the Culver (Califor…
Teri Lazar, violinist, has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Dr. Lazar performs with the Sunrise Quartet and the National Gallery of Art Str…
Cellist and educator Nancy Jo Snider performs regularly in a variety of chamber and period instrument ensembles in venues ranging from The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz at Linco…
Jazz guitarist, bassist, composer, and director Joshua Bayer has performed at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Detroit Opera House, Blues Alley, The Harlem Renaissance Festival, The Wor…
I am a composer/theorist originally from Buenos Aires. I have released two albums, written a score for an indie feature film shown at Cannes, and been praised by The New York Times for my music’s “ear…
William Brent is a computer musician and Associate Professor of Audio Technology at American University in Washington DC. In collaboration with internationally recognized composers and performers, he …
Paul A. Oehlers is most recognized for his "extraordinarily evocative" (Variety) film scores. Films incorporating his music have screened at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Philadelphia Fe…
A composer/pianist and innovator, Sapieyevski brings a new approach to piano performance blending popular and classical styles. His commissions and performances include the Kennedy Center, Library of …
Choral/orchestral conductor and musicologist; specialist in 17th- and 18th-century music. As a conductor and scholar, Abraham has often sought out works previously unknown to present-day audiences and…
Jazz guitarist, bassist, composer, and director Joshua Bayer has performed at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Detroit Opera House, Blues Alley, The Harlem Renaissance Festival, The Wor…
Orchestra/Symphonic Band. Matthew Brown has worked with musicians of all ages and levels ranging from elementary school string ensembles to professional orchestras. He currently is the Director of Orc…
Dr. Casey Cook is a dynamic choral musician and educator, moving fluently between the fields of conducting, composition, and vocal performance. He is increasingly sought after as an adjudicator, clini…
William Esterling is the director of the AU Pep Band. He is an advocate for music as both a performer and educator. As a conductor, Will also serves as the assistant conductor at the New Orchestra of …
Dr. Noah Getz is a saxophone instructor in the applied music program. He made his Carnegie Hall debut as the recipient of the National Alliance for Excellence Grand Prize and has presented solo recita…
Choral director, arranger and composer and specialist in American Gospel Music Tradition. Vocal music instructor in public schools of Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County Public School System.<…
Cellist and educator Nancy Jo Snider performs regularly in a variety of chamber and period instrument ensembles in venues ranging from The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz at Linco…
Jazz guitarist, bassist, composer, and director Joshua Bayer has performed at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Detroit Opera House, Blues Alley, The Harlem Renaissance Festival, The Wor…
I am a composer/theorist originally from Buenos Aires. I have released two albums, written a score for an indie feature film shown at Cannes, and been praised by The New York Times for my music’s “ear…
Dr. Noah Getz is a saxophone instructor in the applied music program. He made his Carnegie Hall debut as the recipient of the National Alliance for Excellence Grand Prize and has presented solo recita…
Marc Medwin received his undergraduate degree in English literature from Ithaca College in New York. He went on to earn a MA and PhD inmusicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, …
Jon has been working in and around the DC area for twenty years as a performer, producer, composer, and arranger. He has produced and arranged recordings by local jazz artists Imani, Maryann Redmond, …
Choral/orchestral conductor and musicologist; specialist in 17th- and 18th-century music. As a conductor and scholar, Abraham has often sought out works previously unknown to present-day audiences and…
Alicia Kopfstein, Ph.D., is an enthusiastic postmodernist who has taught musicianship, guitar, music history, and general education courses at American since 1998, and musicianship for the Washington …
Marc Medwin received his undergraduate degree in English literature from Ithaca College in New York. He went on to earn a MA and PhD inmusicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, …
Kendra Salois received the Ph.D. in Music from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2013. Prior to joining the Department of Performing Arts at AU, she was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the …
I am a composer/theorist originally from Buenos Aires. I have released two albums, written a score for an indie feature film shown at Cannes, and been praised by The New York Times for my music’s “ear…
Dr. Ann T. Kang is Director of the Music Program. She teaches piano, chamber music, music theory and musicianship. She has been called a pianist of “admirable polish and sensitivity” by the Baltimore …
Alicia Kopfstein, Ph.D., is an enthusiastic postmodernist who has taught musicianship, guitar, music history, and general education courses at American since 1998, and musicianship for the Washington …
JP Merz is a composer whose music investigates accessibility, equity, and empathy while questioning notions of virtuosity and encouraging subtle listening. His music has been performed by yMusic, Alti…
A composer/pianist and innovator, Sapieyevski brings a new approach to piano performance blending popular and classical styles. His commissions and performances include the Kennedy Center, Library of …