Dr. Isidore Rudnick, direção

In 2018, Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) and Kennedy Heights Arts Center (KHAC) began a partnership to create the Cincinnati Jazz Academy, a free after-school music program inspiring underserved students to develop their creative abilities through learning and performing the dynamic music of jazz. The Jazz Academy was founded by Dr. Isidore Rudnick, CPS Arts Curriculum Manager; Ellen Muse, Executive Director of the Kennedy Heights Arts Center; and Albert Harris, local philanthropist. Beginning with just 16 students in grades 5th and 6th, the program has grown to over 140 students in grades 4th-12th. The Cincinnati Jazz Academy has received national recognition, multiple student awards and praise from music professionals across the country for the high quality programming delivered to students.

Director and co-founder of the Cincinnati Jazz Academy, Dr. Isidore Rudnick is an internationally recognized jazz trombonist, composer, arranger and music educator. He earned a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies and a Master of Music in composition from the University of North Texas. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in jazz performance from the University of Miami (Florida). An accomplished jazz composer and arranger, Dr. Rudnick has written works for large and small jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, symphony orchestra and wind band. His music has been performed by professional and student groups throughout the United States and Europe. As a performer and conductor, Dr. Rudnick has shared the stage with prominent American jazz artists including Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Eddie Gomez and David “Fathead” Newman as well as European jazz artists including Janusz Muniak, Jarek Smietana and Joan Chamorro. As a prominent jazz educator, Dr. Rudnick has presented jazz pedagogy masterclasses and workshops to teachers at schools throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is a co-founder and director of the Cincinnati Jazz Academy. Dr. Rudnick is the recent recipient of the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame Special Recognition Award and the CreativeOhio Arts Educator Champion Award.