JOSEPH VERDERESE
Jazz Trombone

Cresskill High School; Manhattan School of Music

Trombonist Joe Verderese hails from Clifton, NJ, which is in close proximity to Manhattan. He began his piano studies at age five and trombone at twelve and continued throughout his years in his hometown school system.

Joe is a graduate of West Chester University where he received a B.M. in Music Education. While at West Chester, he had the opportunity to study with H. Lee Southall and Glenn Dodson.

After leaving WCU, Joe moved on to Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with  Justin DiCioccio, Chris Rosenberg, Conrad Herwig and Jack Gale and earned a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies.

Currently, Joe works in the Cresskill Public School district in Northern New Jersey as the Director of Instrumental Music and Bands for Grades 7-12. Under his direction, many new programs have begun at Cresskill, including a brass ensemble, student leadership organization, jazz band and the move from a once a week junior high band program to four days a week. He also holds a private studio of piano, trombone, trumpet, euphonium and tuba students and is also called upon to perform throughout New Jersey in classical, jazz, pop, big band and other genres.

Joe has been a member of the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival and Institute faculty for the past two years, teaching the jazz trombone studio, small jazz groups and beginner big bands. He has also been employed by the Clifton, NJ, Wood-Ridge, NJ and Downingtown, PA Public Schools, and has performed with various artists such as:  Dick Oatts, Bob Ferrel, Bob Mintzer, Matt Neiss, Greg Miller, Claudio Roditi, Bill Watrous and John Riley.

It is a highlight of Joe's year to come to the Catskills each summer as he states, "It is an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to work so closely with all these top notch musicians, educators and of course, the students at NYSMF. I look forward to another great summer!"