Meet Jonathan Haas - Director of the NYU Steinhardt Percussion Program

New York, USA - He was smitten by the steelpan instrument at the very early age of eight when he first encountered this Caribbean beauty called Pan in The Bahamas. And similar to countless others, whose hearts have been pierced by the intoxicating sound delivered by the Percussion Gods through this instrument - for world-renowned percussionist Jonathan Haas it was and is, a lifetime love affair.

Beyond the love of the instrument, Haas understands and identifies the universal theoretical music concepts, cultural benefits and educational advantages afforded students, by teaching music principles through an association with the Steelpan music instrument. He also recognizes the aptitude of adapting the “Classics” and other perhaps not-as-familiar works of music to steelpan, such as that of minimalist composer Philip Glass. In adding the steeldrum component to the percussion major, the program director seized on the opportunity to develop within his students, a sincere and profound appreciation of other cultures and communities. Haas explained “....I thought that one of the most important elements of what we were going to teach is for our students to get involved in the community, in the world, and what better way than with steeldrums. We’re the first major University [NYU - New York University] on the eastern seaboard to begin a program like this...”

Mack Scott, president of Sonatas Steel Orchestra and Dr. Jonathan Haas

Mack Scott, president of Sonatas Steel Orchestra with Dr. Jonathan Haas

Jonathan Haas is one of the world’s foremost and respected percussionists and educators. His accomplishments and global acknowledgements are far too numerous to name here. But the single triumph that will distinguish him from all others will be as the program director, his introduction of the steelpan instrument into the NYU percussion program in a manner that is ground breaking and revolutionary. As part of the requirements of the NYU percussion program - mastering not one, but several instruments of the steelpan family (in addition to their normal instrument of choice) is not an option for matriculating students. It is mandatory. This singular directive has set apart NYU’s program from all others in the United States.

In addition, Mr. Haas’ bold, unapologetic and visionary farsightedness has already resulted in huge dividends. Award-winning producer, songwriter and musician extraordinaire Philip Glass has enthusiastically sanctioned the soon-the- to-be-released NYU STEEL CD of Philip Glass’ Piano Etudes, arranged by NYU Steel’s music director Joshua Quillen. The CD is scheduled for release on the Orange Mountain Music label in May 2011.

The NYU Steel Drum Ensemble known as "NYU Steel" performing at the Frederick Loewe Theatre

NYU STEEL on stage at the Frederick Loewe Theatre (image captured with the expressed permission of NYU Steinhardt, Program in Percussion Studies)

An inspiring teacher, Haas is director of New York University’s Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions’ Percussion Studies Department, chair of the Juilliard Pre-College Percussion Department and a faculty artist at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he has taught for the last 22 years. Haas is the conductor and artistic director of the percussion ensemble programs at all three institutions and is the creator of one of the most innovative percussion intensives, hosting an NYU Broadway Percussion Seminar/Summit each year in June.

At NYU Haas introduced a first-of-its-kind program that includes in-depth theatrical percussion studies, the first modern-day Timpani Guild and an innovative classical percussion program. He also established the first steel drum ensemble program at a major university/conservatory on the Eastern seaboard. Haas was director of the Peabody Conservatory Percussion Department for 26 years, bringing it into international prominence. He has presented master classes worldwide at the Toho Gauken, Hanoi Conservatory, Paris Conservatory, the Graz Percussion School, the Melbourne Conservatory, the Sydney Conservatory, Conservatory of Latvia, Zagreb Conservatory and many others. Haas is frequently featured as a soloist and clinician at Percussive Arts Society International Conventions and writes extensively for educational journals including The Instrumentalist and Percussive Notes, the official journal of the Percussive Arts Society.

Meet Dr. Jonathan Haas - Director of the NYU Steinhardt Percussion Program - UpClose!

The man who brought the Steelpan to NYU... big-time!