Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Bryce Kanzer
F E A T U R E
Interview with Bryce Kanzer
How old were you when you first got interested in music, and when did you start piano lessons?
I was six years old when I started piano lessons. My parents were very enthusiastic about starting me on a musical instrument at a young age, as they are both musicians and fans of music. Ever since I was a baby, I was always exposed to amazing music at home.
Did you (or do you) play any other instruments?
I’ve played a bunch of other instruments besides piano. I played cello for a year in my school orchestra when I was in third grade, and in fourth grade, I started clarinet with the school band. I played clarinet through high school and that was my instrument in our High School marching band. In fifth grade, I picked up bass guitar, since the school jazz band needed a bassist and I was the only kid who knew how to read bass clef. In college, I got into electronic music production using synthesis and computers, which I consider to be separate musical instruments of their own. Learning piano first was a big help for learning other instruments, since piano gives you training in rhythm, melody, and harmony, and requires sight-reading of both treble and bass clef.
Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?
I’ve been lucky to have some great teachers throughout the years. As a pre-teen, I learned a lot studying at Camp Encore Coda, a music summer camp in Maine. As a junior in high school, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study with the late Billy Taylor in his “Jazz of July” program at Umass Amherst. At Berklee College of Music, I learned a lot from my private instructors, Bruce Thomas and Joanne Brackeen. Ultimately, my most influential teachers have been the jazz greats of yesterday and today: Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Vince Guaraldi, Brad Mehldau, and Robert Glasper to name a few. Half of learning how to play is listening to the greats and analyzing what makes their music special. You learn a ton by picking apart their style and emulating their playing.
What is your favorite genre of music to play? To listen to?
If I had to choose one genre it would be jazz. One amazing thing about jazz is it can be combined with basically any other genre of music. You can find great examples of R&B, Rock, Blues, Latin, Country, Hip Hop, Pop, and virtually every other music genre that all have been influenced by or infused with jazz. A more general answer is that I love playing and listening to music that is compelling, regardless of genre. If it tells a story or conveys an emotion, that’s what matters to me.
How often did you practice when you were a kid and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
During my first few years of piano lessons, I practiced about half an hour most days. Some weeks were better than others! I can thank my mom and dad for encouraging me to sit down at the piano regularly. As I got older, my practice sessions at home became more focused on learning jazz theory and improvisation. School ensembles and bands with friends also gave me more opportunities to practice different styles of music and different instruments. For me, a big motivator for practicing is having a goal or a performance to prepare for. Today my individual practice is focused on learning new music by ear, and I log 10-12 hours a week performing with my band.
What was your most memorable music performance?
There are a couple performances that come to mind. In 2012, I met my wife while playing at the Lansdowne Pub near Fenway, so that was a very important performance. In 2016, my current band, “Legends of Summer” put on our first show right next door at Bill’s Bar. The purpose of the show was to produce our first promotional video, which my sister helped to film and edit. All of my family and friends were there supporting us, and the video was a huge milestone in getting our band’s business off the ground.
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
I love being able to inspire creativity and confidence in young musicians. As someone with more experience under my belt, there’s a lot I wish I understood at a younger age, and I’m happy I can impart my knowledge and help others. I get a ton of satisfaction from watching my students progress, it’s very cool when they can play something in the present that would have been impossible in the past.
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their singing?
Listen to and be inspired by artists who are the best at what they do. Find pieces that move you, and ask yourself, “What is it about this piece that is moving to me?”. Keep practicing and have patience; you may not notice a difference from one day to the next, but progress is real!
When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
I enjoy composing music for a variety of multimedia projects, including podcasts, guided meditations, short films, and sound studies. I love doing yoga, playing tennis, biking on the Charles River, and cooking healthy meals! I also enjoy playing chess and online gaming with my brother.
Learn more about our Piano teacher Bryce Kanzer in his Teacher Page.
I was six years old when I started piano lessons. My parents were very enthusiastic about starting me on a musical instrument at a young age, as they are both musicians and fans of music. Ever since I was a baby, I was always exposed to amazing music at home.
Did you (or do you) play any other instruments?
I’ve played a bunch of other instruments besides piano. I played cello for a year in my school orchestra when I was in third grade, and in fourth grade, I started clarinet with the school band. I played clarinet through high school and that was my instrument in our High School marching band. In fifth grade, I picked up bass guitar, since the school jazz band needed a bassist and I was the only kid who knew how to read bass clef. In college, I got into electronic music production using synthesis and computers, which I consider to be separate musical instruments of their own. Learning piano first was a big help for learning other instruments, since piano gives you training in rhythm, melody, and harmony, and requires sight-reading of both treble and bass clef.
Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?
I’ve been lucky to have some great teachers throughout the years. As a pre-teen, I learned a lot studying at Camp Encore Coda, a music summer camp in Maine. As a junior in high school, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study with the late Billy Taylor in his “Jazz of July” program at Umass Amherst. At Berklee College of Music, I learned a lot from my private instructors, Bruce Thomas and Joanne Brackeen. Ultimately, my most influential teachers have been the jazz greats of yesterday and today: Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Vince Guaraldi, Brad Mehldau, and Robert Glasper to name a few. Half of learning how to play is listening to the greats and analyzing what makes their music special. You learn a ton by picking apart their style and emulating their playing.
What is your favorite genre of music to play? To listen to?
If I had to choose one genre it would be jazz. One amazing thing about jazz is it can be combined with basically any other genre of music. You can find great examples of R&B, Rock, Blues, Latin, Country, Hip Hop, Pop, and virtually every other music genre that all have been influenced by or infused with jazz. A more general answer is that I love playing and listening to music that is compelling, regardless of genre. If it tells a story or conveys an emotion, that’s what matters to me.
How often did you practice when you were a kid and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
During my first few years of piano lessons, I practiced about half an hour most days. Some weeks were better than others! I can thank my mom and dad for encouraging me to sit down at the piano regularly. As I got older, my practice sessions at home became more focused on learning jazz theory and improvisation. School ensembles and bands with friends also gave me more opportunities to practice different styles of music and different instruments. For me, a big motivator for practicing is having a goal or a performance to prepare for. Today my individual practice is focused on learning new music by ear, and I log 10-12 hours a week performing with my band.
What was your most memorable music performance?
There are a couple performances that come to mind. In 2012, I met my wife while playing at the Lansdowne Pub near Fenway, so that was a very important performance. In 2016, my current band, “Legends of Summer” put on our first show right next door at Bill’s Bar. The purpose of the show was to produce our first promotional video, which my sister helped to film and edit. All of my family and friends were there supporting us, and the video was a huge milestone in getting our band’s business off the ground.
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
I love being able to inspire creativity and confidence in young musicians. As someone with more experience under my belt, there’s a lot I wish I understood at a younger age, and I’m happy I can impart my knowledge and help others. I get a ton of satisfaction from watching my students progress, it’s very cool when they can play something in the present that would have been impossible in the past.
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their singing?
Listen to and be inspired by artists who are the best at what they do. Find pieces that move you, and ask yourself, “What is it about this piece that is moving to me?”. Keep practicing and have patience; you may not notice a difference from one day to the next, but progress is real!
When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
I enjoy composing music for a variety of multimedia projects, including podcasts, guided meditations, short films, and sound studies. I love doing yoga, playing tennis, biking on the Charles River, and cooking healthy meals! I also enjoy playing chess and online gaming with my brother.
Learn more about our Piano teacher Bryce Kanzer in his Teacher Page.
