Award winning timpanist Jeffrey Kautz is very passionate and moved by the timpani. Jeffrey attained a Master of Music degree in Timpani Performance from NYU Steinhardt in 2019 where he studied under Jonathan Haas and Jason Haaheim. He graduated from Mannes School of Music in 2017 with a Bachelor of Music degree with Honors in Percussion Performance. Jeffrey is currently Principal Timpanist of the Massapequa Philharmonic, New Jersey Sinfonietta, Amore Opera Orchestra and the Apotheosis Opera Orchestra. He is also currently Principal Percussionist of the South Shore Symphony Orchestra and was an Actor Drummer on the HBO Series Plot Against America.

Mr. Kautz has won 15 prizes and awards in timpani competitions. The prizes are: 1st Prize 2021 "Citta Di Massa" International Competition Soloists Section Percussion Category, Second Place 2021 American Music Talent Competition Percussion Category, Bronze Third Prize 2020-2021 Canadian International Music Competition Young Artist Category, Champion Winner 2020 ASCO International Music Competition W3 Senior Group, First Prize Autumn 2020 North International Online Music Competition Category IX, Semi-Finalist 2021 The American Prize Instrumental Soloists Competition Professional Division, Gold Star 2020 Music & Stars Awards Online Classical Music Competition Winds Emergent Category, First Prize 2020 International Music Competition ‘Bonn’ Grand Prize Virtuoso Senior Category, First Prize 2020 International Music Competition ‘Salzburg’ Grand Prize Virtuoso Senior Category, First Place 2020 American Protégé International Concerto Competition (based in NYC) College Students and Professional Musicians Group, Won the Brilliant Award 2020 Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards International Music Competition (based in Singapore) for the Senior Category, Second Place 2020 Quebec Online International Music Competition Professional Category Solo Division, First Prize 2018 New York International Percussion Competition Timpani Division I, Winner 2017 Mannes Concerto Competition performing Michael Daugherty’s Raise the Roof as solo timpanist with the Mannes Orchestra, and Winner of the College Age Group 2015 Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition performing the 1st Movement of William Kraft’s Timpani Concerto #1.