Communication, Media & Theatre Arts

Biography

Dr. Cass has served as music director, conductor, and pianist since 2000 for Ideation Productions in New York, directing productions at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre and Studio Theatre, Hecksher Theatre, DR2 Theatre, Florence Gould Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Weill Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall. From 1988–1994, Dr. Cass was faculty of electronic music at Juilliard School and music director for Juilliard electronic music concerts. He has been guest lecturer at Juilliard School, University of Alabama and Keuka College, and also served as guest music director for Lincoln Center Institute, Adelphi University and New York Players Club. He had a NBC-TV TODAY Show performance and interview. He was a guest soloist with Mexico City Philharmonic in Saint-Saens' Fifth Piano Concerto. Since 1990, Dr. Cass has been pianist and composer-in-residence for Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, performing in over 200 chamber music concerts, including Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, New Jersey State Theatre, Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, Rutgers University, Manhattan School of Music, Weill Hall, Merkin Concert Hall and Symphony Space. He has recorded with Manhattan Chamber Orchestra on Newport Classics, Koch International, Mulatta and Kleos Classics. He has also been music consultant to Sony Music Entertainment, Capitol/EMI, RCA/BMG, Polygram, Bourne, Tree, Warner/Chappell, Casio and others. In 2011, he completed recording his compositions based on writings of Kurt Vonnegut with Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, featuring recorded narration by Mr. Vonnegut, and funded by EMU Provost's Research Support Award for New Faculty. He received EMU CAS Dean's Program Development Initiative award.

Education

• BM, MM, DMA, Julliard School, NYC

Courses

• CTAR 421/591 Musical Theatre Styles
• CTAR 461 Musical Theatre Acting
• CTAR 463 American Musical Stage
• CTAR 568 Musical Theatre Performance Technique
• MUSC 413 Orchestration
• MUSC 475/554 Chamber Music