Faculty Profile

Prof. James Behr Adjunct Professor of Music

Education:

• M.Mus and B.M, The Juilliard School
• J.D., CUNY
• B.A., Northwestern University

Research and Scholarly Interests:

Composition, Jazz, Musical Theater, Piano, Journalism (music & politics), Law

Recordings and Appearances:

James Behr has an impressive career as a composer and concert pianist.  His original music and performances received fine critical acclaim, summed up by the Boston Globe in hailing him as a “demon pianist.”  A Juilliard graduate, Behr has performed throughout the U.S., including solo appearances on TV and radio; at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall; at the Ravinia, Cullowhee, Tanglewood and Chautauqua music festivals; and with many symphony orchestras.  Behr's original music introduces a new sound reflecting this modern day artist's exposure to classical music, jazz and modern trends - a style he often calls Blues-Age.  He has recorded seven CD albums.  His original music (Classical/jazz/rock fusion, piano concertos, solo piano, Broadway, R&B Ballads) and Classical performances (Chopin, et al) can be heard online at myspace.com/jamesbehr and reverbnation.com/jamesbehr. Behr's original music includes his piano concerto Europa, Rhapsody Tableaux (for piano); the autobiographical Suite Memoirs; Kaleidoscope Suite (“Blues-Age” rock/ jazz/Classical fusion); and the sweeping score for The Count of Monte Cristo, a musical based upon the classic Dumas tale.  Behr is also a writer who has written on music and other subjects for the press.  His recent book, "America on the Brink," is a political and education/arts commentary on problems faced in the U.S.  Professor Behr was awarded his M.M. and B.M. degrees from The Juilliard School, where he studied with the eminent pianists Nadia Reisenberg and Oxana Yablanskaya.  He also has a J.D. from CUNY and a B.A. from Northwestern University.

Awards and Scholarships:

Prof. Behr won scholarship awards from Julliard and The Chautauqua Festival and is a prize-winner in eight piano competitions.  He is V.P. of Issues at the Ansonia Democratic Club and is a member of the New York Bar.

Courses Taught/Teaching:

• ART 207:  Roots of the Modern Age (music history/appreciation)
• ART 220:  The Fundamentals of Music Theory
• ART 410:  Beethoven
• ART 410:  Composition
• ART 410:  Music of Gershwin, Jazz and Billy Joel
• ART 410:  Vocal and song composition studies
  

Contact Information:

• Telephone & Fax (212)543-2580
• Office: Hayden 206A
• e-mail: starlightartists@aol.com

Page last updated by M. LaMonica on June 18, 2009