Aaron Bahr
“I discovered my love for music the first time I heard a recording of Clifford Brown. What I heard changed my concept about what could be accomplished in music, and I want to share that revelation with my students. I want my students to feel that same awe inspired by the endless possibilities of music that I felt that day.”
Aaron Bahr grew up in the California Bay Area, where his affinity for music was fed and fostered. During Aaron’s high school years he was selected to play in many national jazz ensembles, including the highly regarded Grammy Jazz Ensemble. Aaron received the prestigious Jimmy Lyons Scholarship to Berklee College of Music- a full tuition scholarship offered to a single student which is presented at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Aaron earned his B.A. from Berklee College of Music and went on to earn his M.M. in Jazz composition from the New England conservatory.
Throughout his studies Aaron had the opportunity to study with the best teachers in music including Miguel Zenon, Jerry Bergonzie, Laurie Frink, and Tiger Okoshi. Since moving to New York City in 2015 Aaron has performed regularly with some of the best musicians in Jazz, including Dave Liebman, Fukushi Tainaka, and Don Hahn.
He is a member of the Jazz Quintet Groove Merchant, who released an album in 2016 and toured Japan in March of 2017. Aaron has also earned accolades for his big band writing- winning both the 2015 SF Jazz HUT Foundation Alumni Commission award and the 2015 Jazz in the Neighborhood Emerging Composer Competition.
Aaron’s philosophy of music education revolves around a balance between two question; “what does the student want to know?” and “what does the student need to know?” By addressing both a student’s desired musical goals and the essential techniques of music making, every lesson can be engaging, challenging, and foster future growth.