About

by Michael Joviala

I am an improviser, composer and teacher based in New York City. My main instrument is piano, but I’ve been known to pull the clarinet out once in a while!

I teach musicianship, ear training and music theory through the Dalcroze approach. Not sure what that is? Click here to find out more.

Training and education:

  • Diplôme Supérieur, Institute Jaques-Dalcroze, Geneva Switzerland. 2020
  • D.M.A. in Performance; Stony Brook University, NY. 2018.
  • M.A. in Music Education; Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, NY. B.A. 2015.
  • B. A. in Performance, Jazz Saxophone; University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. 1989.
  • Dalcroze License: Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA. 2008 with Lisa Parker and Anne Farber.
  • Dalcroze Certificate: Juilliard School of Music, New York, NY. 2000 with Robert Abramson.

Faculty:

Lucy Moses School of Music at Kaufman Music Center: Dalcroze eurhythmics, solfège and improvisation classes for children and adults. I am the director of the Dalcroze Program for adults, which includes Dalcroze teacher training at all levels.

The Diller-Quaile School of Music: musicianship classes through the Dalcroze approach for elementary through high school.

Columbia University: undergraduate ear training.

I teach privately as a pianist, improviser, solfège/ear training teacher, and Dalcroze teacher-trainer. I occasionally offer my own classes. Click here for more information.

During the summers, in addition to the Dalcroze teacher-training program I direct at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City, I enjoy teaching at the Dalcroze School of Music and Movement, now located in Dallas, Texas.

My latest project is a group called Locomotors. It’s latest incarnation features dancer and choreographer (and Dalcroze teacher) Dawn Pratson. We are developing new work through a residency program in the New York Chapter of the Dalcroze Society of America. Our NYC debut will be October 27, 2023 at the Mark Morris Dance Center. Learn more.

Here is a collection of performance video from my DMA work at Stony Brook University from 2015-2017.

Here is a podcast I was featured on with my colleagues Anthony Molinero and Lauren Hodgson.