Timpanist Jeffrey Kautz is passionate about music, percussion, and timpani. A graduate of Mannes School of Music (B.M. with Honors) and NYU Steinhardt School of Music (M.M.),
Jeffrey distinguished himself at an early age by winning some 31 international timpani competitions in the U.S., Singapore, Canada, Germany, Estonia, Hong Kong, Greece, Spain,
France, and Switzerland.
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Jeffrey is a great champion of the timpani concerto repertoire, and he has performed as soloist with the Mannes Orchestra, NYU Steel Band, NYU Percussion Ensemble, South Shore Symphony Orchestra, Winters Center for Autism Percussion Ensemble, and the Centre Symphony Orchestra. He currently teaches percussion at Guitar Center in Commack, NY. He previously taught music classes for Connect Program at Molloy University in Rockville Centre, NY, private lessons at his Home Music Studio in Dix Hills, NY, and percussion at Music & Arts (Commack and Deer Park, NY), Manhattan School of Music Pre-College in New York, NY, Mannes School of Music Preparatory Division in New York, NY, and The Music Academy for Special Learners in West Babylon, NY. He was also the former Music Director and Conductor for the Winters Center for Autism Percussion Ensemble. A career highlight was his performance as an Actor Drummer on the HBO Series The Plot Against America, where he collaborated with John Turturro and Winona Ryder.
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Jeffrey has been a member of numerous orchestras and ensembles in the New York City region, including his current role as Substitute/Extra Timpanist with NYC Orchestra Project, as well as former engagements with Rendez-Vous Orchestra, Manhattan Symphonie, Centre Symphony Orchestra, South Shore Symphony Orchestra, Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra, Amore Opera, Apotheosis Opera, Prague Summer Nights: Young Artists Music Festival, and International Chamber Orchestra of America.