About Greg
Professional music educator, composer and arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and sound recording engineer
“Teaching music is the focus of my professional life.
All people can and should experience the joy of music.” ~ Greg Lutz
Philosophies of music education
All people can and should learn music, and should be strongly encouraged to explore and expand the breadth and depth of their musical talents during all levels of their development.
Music is a noble pursuit, and though it complements and strengthens so many other aspects of thought and experience, it is indeed a valuable end in itself, worthy of study for its own sake.
Teaching should be approached from a basis of love for the:
- Subject, which begets mastery
- Profession, which begets personal development
- Students, which begets effective connection and productive motivation
Employment
Kiski Area Schools, 1996-present:
- Elementary Instrumental Music
- General/Vocal Elementary Music
- Improvisation I and II – High School
- Elementary Jazz Band Director
- Elementary Band Director
- Woodwind Tech /Articulation Consultant-Kiski Cavalier Marching Band
- Director/Clinician of Kiski’s Jazz Camp
Seton Hill University 2005-2012:
- Saxophone Clinician for Summer Winds and Jazz Workshop
- Faculty for Jazz Improvisation Class for Summer Semester
Duquesne University, 1996-1997:
Pianist/Clinician for Duquesne’s Summer Workshop
Private Students, 1989-Present
Freelance Musician, 1986-Present
Audio Engineer, 1992-Present
Scholarly Works and Awards:
- 2017 Grammy for Music Education Nominee
- 2014 Grammy for Music Education Nominee
- Use the Blues as You Choose curriculum, a successful jazz improvisation method for all ages.
- Be a Better Musician Through Transposition, a course of study to enhance musicianship.
- The Actually Useful Piano Approach, a student-driven, musicianship-based piano curriculum.
- Play It Yourself History, a performance-based, fast paced history course
Notable Compositions:
(Greg is published through Flute.Net ALRY publications, and Scorevivo.com)
National Premiers:
“Turtle and Rabbit” written for the 2019 NFA High School Flute Choir
“The Terrible Tubes Take Over the Town” written for the 2018 NFA record-setting Largest Low Flute Choir (ever) Concert
“The Continuing Adventures of Dexter the Danger Donkey” 2018 NFA Newly Published Music Winner
“LionHeart” 2017 Newly Published Music Finalist
“Coffeelation” Premiered by the National High School Flute Choir at the 2016 NFA convention.
“Action Jack Takes On The League Of Calamity” and “Some Low and Slow Blues” were premiered at the 2016 NFA convention.
“A Jazz Journey Through America” for Flute Choir Premiered at the 2015 NFA convention.
Winner of the 2014 NFA International Composition Contest for Flute Choir; the winning piece is entitled “Nino Del Sol“. Premiered in Chicago in August of 2014.
“A Couple of Scenes From New Orleans“, a composition for Flute Choir, was premiered at the National Flute Association Convention in New Orleans in August, 2013.
“Summer In The Backyard“, a composition for Flute Choir, was premiered at the 2012 NFA Convention.
“An Afternoon With The Kiddo“, a composition for Flute Choir, was premiered in 2011 at the National Flute Association Convention. In 2012 it was selected to be played by the National Professional Flute Choir.
Education:
Master of Music, summa cum laude, in Saxophone Performance; 2003, Duquesne University.
Bachelor’s of Science, summa cum laude, in Music Education; 1995. Duquesne University.
Bachelor’s of Music, summa cum laude, in Recording Arts and Sciences; 1995. Duquesne University.
Professional Affiliations:
- Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
Directed the PMEA District III Honors Jazz Band Festival, 2007 - National Association for Musical Education
- Pennsylvania State Educators Association
- National Education Association
- International Association for Jazz Education
- American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada Union, Local 630-42
- Broadcast Music, Inc.
- Mensa International
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