Whether he bangs on the drums, shows off his mallet work, or experiments with his piano and compositional skills, performer Jack Kerness has thought of music as an effective way to reach out, to express himself, and to connect with many people since his first exposure to music in his early childhood. Music therapy sessions, preschool television programs, and his father’s classic rock albums inspired him to commit to a career in music.
Jack started his career playing piano and drum set. With his skills on both instruments, he performed for audiences at rowdy venues like 9:30 Club and The Fillmore Silver Spring. He also won many competitions with his high school’s jazz band; his band director, Vincent McCool, notes that the jazz band’s success in those competitions “was due, in a large part to [Jack’s] talent, dedication, and spirit.”
As he transitioned to classical percussion, he started to play at prestigious concert halls like The Music Center at Strathmore and The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Jack explored repertoire with youth ensembles like the Peabody Youth Orchestra and the Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra, playing pieces by Franz von Suppé, Maurice Ravel, Aaron Copland, and George Frideric Handel. In addition, he played through notable musical scores, such as Jekyll and Hyde by Frank Wildhorn, Children of Eden by Stephen Schwartz, Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken, Fifty Million Frenchmen by Cole Porter, and 1776 by Sherman Edwards. (Go to Music for more details)
Jack has also participated in summer music programs held at University of Maryland and Curtis Institute of Music, performing repertoire from composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Giuseppe Verdi, and Leonard Bernstein. Throughout his career, he has worked with many notable percussionists. During his summer programs, he participated in master classes and worked with Don Liuzzi, Javoun Gilliam, Eric Shin, and Garrett Arney and Mari Yoshinaga of the Arx Duo.
Moreover, Jack has been under the instruction of Dr. Lee Hinkle, who praises him as “one of the most talented, hard-working, and intellectually curious students I have ever had the pleasure to work with,” and Dr. Danny Villanueva, who describes him as “an asset to the musical community.”
Jack is also valued as a leader within his community, especially with people with disabilities. He used his piano talents to accompany a choir of adults with disabilities, and he composed songs for an original musical while working as a music director for a local theater company that featured actors with disabilities.
Jack is also inspired by music in the video game industry and hopes to explore his adoration for video games as a part of his career. Growing up, he has been inspired by composers like Koji Kondo, Tomoya Ohtani, Mahito Yokota, Toru Minegishi, Go Ichinose, and Yoko Shimomura. When it comes to composers outside of the video game industry, his inspirations include John Cage, Ludwig van Beethoven, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Darius Milhaud, Leonard Bernstein, and Aaron Copland. In addition, since Jack grew up a huge fan of classic rock along with his father, he also views several rock and roll artists as inspirations, including The Beatles, The Who, Steve Miller Band, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Genesis, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel.
On his website, Jack emphasizes his desire to use music as a tool to connect with people around the world and to allow them to enjoy music in a similar way to how he has enjoyed it throughout his life.
About Jack
Jack Kerness is an accomplished musician and percussionist from the D.C. metropolitan area. He has a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Shenandoah Conservatory and a Master of Music Performance from The Pennsylvania State University, both specializing in percussion. His wide array of experience includes youth bands and orchestras, professional ensembles, music teaching, and work with children and adults with special needs and disabilities.
​
​
​​​
​
Whether he bangs on the drums, shows off his mallet work,
or experiments with his piano and composing skills, Jack has thought of music as an effective way to reach out, express himself, and connect with many people since his early childhood. Music therapy sessions, preschool television programs, and his father’s classic rock albums inspired him
to commit to a career in music. ​​
​
​
​
Jack started his career playing piano and drum set. With his skills on both instruments, he performed for audiences at rowdy venues like the 9:30 Club and The Fillmore Silver Spring.
During high school, he assisted his jazz band director with teaching duties, and his band went on to win several competitions. As he transitioned to classical percussion, he started to play at prestigious concert halls like The Music Center at Strathmore in Rockville and The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
Jack also explored repertoire with youth ensembles like the Peabody Youth Orchestra and the Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra, playing pieces by Franz von Suppé, Maurice Ravel, Aaron Copland, and George Frideric Handel. Beyond orchestral works, Jack has played in several musical theater productions in the D.C. Area, including Jekyll and Hyde by Frank Wildhorn, Children of Eden by Stephen Schwartz, Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken, Fifty Million Frenchmen by Cole Porter, and 1776 by Sherman Edwards.
In addition, Jack has participated in summer music programs held at University of Maryland and Curtis Institute of Music, performing repertoire from composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Giuseppe Verdi, and Leonard Bernstein. Throughout his career, he has worked with many notable percussionists. During his summer programs, he participated
in master classes and worked with Don Liuzzi, Javoun Gilliam, Eric Shin, and Garrett Arney and Mari Yoshinaga of the Arx Duo. Moreover, Jack has been under the instruction of Dr. Lee Hinkle and Dr. Danny Villanueva; both of whom helped shape his career by preparing him to audition for college and for his participation in the Maryland All State Band.​
​
​
​​​​​​​​
​
During his undergraduate and graduate studies, Jack has played with professional ensembles like the Main Street Chamber Orchestra in Berryville, VA, as well as the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra in State College, PA. He also had the honor of performing with New Orchestra of Washington at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
In addition to having an accomplished career in music, Jack is also valued as a leader in his community, especially with people with disabilities. He used his piano talents to accompany a choir of adults with disabilities, and he composed and directed the music of an original musical for a local theater company that featured actors with disabilities. Jack has also worked as an administrative assistant and has taught private lessons in drum set, percussion, and entry-level piano. He is available for private lessons for all ages and skill levels (Please visit the Contact/Bookings page for more information).
Jack is also inspired by music in the video game industry and hopes to explore his adoration for video games as a part of his career. Growing up, he has been inspired by composers like Koji Kondo, Tomoya Ohtani, Mahito Yokota, Toru Minegishi, Go Ichinose, and Yoko Shimomura. When it comes to composers outside of the video game industry, his inspirations include John Cage, Ludwig van Beethoven, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Darius Milhaud, Leonard Bernstein, and Aaron Copland. In addition, since Jack grew up a huge fan of classic rock along with his father, he also views several rock and roll artists as inspirations, including The Beatles, The Who, Steve Miller Band, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Genesis, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel.
On his website, Jack emphasizes his desire to use music as a tool to connect with people around the world and to allow them to enjoy music as much as he has throughout his life.
Background
Early Years
College and Professional
