Award-Winning Solo Timpanist Jeffrey Kautz is very passionate and moved by the timpani.
In his education, Jeffrey attained a Master of Music degree in Timpani Performance from NYU
Steinhardt in 2019 and a Bachelor of Music degree with Honors in Percussion Performance from Mannes
School of Music in 2017.
As an orchestra musician, Mr. Kautz is currently Principal Timpanist of the Centre Symphony
Orchestra and the Manhattan Symphonie, and a Percussionist of the South Shore Symphony Orchestra in Long
Island, NY. Before joining those groups, Jeffrey was the former Principal Timpanist of the Massapequa
Philharmonic Orchestra, Amore Opera, Apotheosis Opera, International Chamber Orchestra of America, and
the Prague Summer Nights: Young Artists Music Festival. He was also an Actor Drummer on the HBO Series
The Plot Against America working with John Turturro and Winona Ryder.
As a competitor, Jeffrey has won an impressive number of prizes and awards –twenty-nine between
2015 and 2022 in competitions as a Timpanist in the U.S., Singapore, Canada, Austria, Germany, Estonia,
Sweden, Hong Kong, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, and Switzerland.
As an educator, Jeffrey is currently a percussion instructor for Music & Arts in Commack, NY, Music
& Arts in Deer Park, NY, and The Music Academy for Special Learners in West Babylon, NY.
As a conductor, Mr. Kautz was the former Music Director and Conductor for the Winters Center for
Autism Percussion Ensemble.
As a soloist, Mr. Kautz has appeared as a timpani concerto soloist with the Mannes Orchestra, NYU
Steel Band, NYU Percussion Ensemble, South Shore Symphony Orchestra, and the Winters Center for Autism
Percussion Ensemble.