Kevin Mazzarella
is a Grammy-nominated music educator, a professional trumpet player, and a believer that anyone can express their creativity and delight others through music.
Kevin completed his graduate studies in Trumpet Performance from the University of Connecticut and in Music Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City. Kevin also studied Trumpet and Music Education at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. His teaching style draws on the constructivist approach, personalized to each student.
By day, Kevin is the band director at Captain Nathan Hale Middle School in Coventry, Connecticut, where he conducts the concert band and directs the jazz band. Prior to working in Coventry, Kevin taught in Groton Public Schools for ten years. By night, he can often be found playing his trumpet in orchestras, local jazz venues, weddings/events, and musicals/shows.
Kevin’s Jazz Band has been selected to perform as a Showcase Ensemble at the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) Conference. Kevin was selected as the Cutler Middle School Distinguished Teacher of the Year 2017-2018, and was honored as a nominee for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award 2017 (Quarter-Finalist).
Kevin is a CrossFit coach, a lifelong baseball fan, and an even bigger fan of Kermit the Frog for reasons he’d have to explain to you.
Thanks for Visiting! How Can I Help?
I love playing trumpet solo, in a duet or trio, or with a full band, in local jazz venues, at weddings/events, and musicals/shows.
Solo & Ensemble Performances
My digital portfolio, including solo, duet, trio, and entire jazz band performances.
These videos also showcase my experiments with tracking (recording) into Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), mixing, and mastering, as well as video editing in a variety of styles.
Video Projects
This video illustrates my constructivist, student-centered approach. My talented students, past and present, perform an original student-generated composition.
Features a multi-panel video of me playing clarinet, 2 trumpet parts, and trombone. I’m proud of how this came out!
A duet with Columbia classmate, Jose Martinez. Featuring flugelhorn and improv.
TC, Columbia Eclectic Ensemble features multi-instrumental talent: trombone, and three trumpet tracks
A fun project with a big band. Collab with Ledyard HS, String of Pearls Big Band, and Time and Changes Jazz Orchestra. I take a solo in the middle.
Audio Only
Kev’s Blog
New projects and collaborations, plus the occasional thought on music, music education, and creativity.
