Joe Gilman & Jim MartinezWhen the whole is larger than the sum of its parts: Two extraordinary pianists in their own right, Joe Gilman and Jim Martinez are assured to amaze when they each take charge of their own grand piano. We can't wait to hear what magic they will create together! Joe Gilman is an acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and educator known for his lyrical playing and deep musical intellect. A longtime faculty member at the Brubeck Institute and the Sacramento Jazz Orchestra’s artistic director, he just recently retired from his long tenure as co-chair of the American River College Music Department. He has collaborated with jazz greats while also mentoring the next generation of musicians. Jim Martinez is a versatile jazz pianist blending swing, bebop, and faith-inspired themes into his music. With over a dozen albums, including tributes to jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Vince Guaraldi, he has performed worldwide alongside jazz icons. His standout project, Good Grief! It’s Still Jim Martinez, reimagines Peanuts music with fresh, vibrant arrangements, showcasing his deep connection to Guaraldi’s legacy. |
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Emily HayesEmily Hayes is a dedicated musician and educator who grew up in a small farming town in Northern California. Her musical journey began at the tender age of two when she showed a strong interest in her older brother's violin. Though she was too small to play a real violin, she started with a cardboard one, learning the basics of handling the instrument. At age six, Emily discovered her passion for the piano, a natural fit for her expressive personality. Despite not initially intending to become a professional musician, Emily's love for music deepened during her undergraduate studies at USC, where she found herself increasingly drawn to playing and practicing over other subjects. Her passion for teaching emerged early on in high school, where she began offering piano lessons in her hometown due to the lack of local instructors. This passion only grew during her college years, as she applied the knowledge gained from her instructors to her students of all ages. Emily finds inspiration in the many ways people use music, whether as a creative outlet, a form of emotional release, or a unique physical discipline. She takes great joy sharing music through performance and in helping her students develop classical techniques, enabling them to explore a wide range of musical genres, from improvisation and jazz to classical and popular music. |
Philip HowardAn award winning composer and pianist, Philip Howard is the founder of Sacramento Piano Day. With a background in writing music for film - Philip graduated with the highest honors in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music - he loves exploring and expressing the spaces in-between, taking listeners on a journey to familiar memories and new experiences. His debut album "Connected" was awarded a silver medal for outstanding achievement by the Global Music Awards. A firm believer in the benefits and importance of music education, Philip is proud to teach piano at the Natomas School of Music, in addition to his private studio.
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Philip Howard performing Thank You, Yes!
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Our Student Performers:
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Keeley W.
Keeley has been taking piano lessons with Mr. Philip since 2016. She enjoys playing contemporary pieces including Yiruma, Studio Ghibli, and video game music. She is very grateful for all the encouragement she’s received from Mr. Philip, including his attendance at many of her musical theater performances. He is a great teacher and has really inspired Keeley to pursue piano. In addition to playing the piano, Keeley enjoys many other artistic activities. Keeley enjoys theater, drawing, and singing. Right now, she is a 9th grader at C.K. McClatchy High School and enrolled in the Visual Arts and Performing Arts specialty program. In her spare time she enjoys reading manga, watching anime and playing video games. Keeley is delighted to be able to perform in the 6th Annual Sacramento Piano Day and wants to share her love for music with the audience. |
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Arush J.M.
Arush is a dedicated and passionate young pianist currently studying at the Natomas School of Music. With a love for music that began at an early age, Arush has honed his skills through years of rigorous practice and instruction under the guidance of Mr. Philip. He hopes to entertain you with a beautiful piano piece that he has spent much time and dedication on. Outside of music, he plays volleyball and tennis, and hopes to become a professional volleyball player when he grows up. |
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Listen to our previous performers:
Reason & Bietz perfoming Matteo Sommacal's Fibonacci's Piranhas, No. 5.
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Reason & BietzStirring and remarkable as individual performers, together Jennifer Reason and Melanie Bietz embody the concept of the Whole is larger than the Sum of the Parts.
Jennifer Reason gave her first solo recital at the age of 5, and had acquired her first Staff Pianist position by the tender age of 12. She has since gone on to appear in solo and ensemble performances across Europe, the United States and Canada. When not performing or teaching, you can hear her on Capitol Public Radio as the Midday Classical Host, 88.9FM. Melanie Bietz started playing the piano very young, learning with her mother. She went on to study piano at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and earned a Masters degree in piano from CSUS under the tutelage of Richard Cionco and Lorna Peters. She has an active teaching and performing schedule across our region. |
Sterling Cozza TrioSacramento native Sterling Cozza returns to SacPianoDay, this time with his trio. Sterling has been playing piano since he was 5 years of age, and began studying jazz music at age 12. Through his formative years at the Rio Americano High School, private studies with Joseph Gilman, to undergraduate work at The Eastman School of Music, he earned many accolades and honors including participating in the SFJazz High School All Stars program, performing at events such as the Essentially Ellington Festival at Lincoln Center, the Charles Mingus Festival at the Manhattan School of Music, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and the honor of taking part in a tour of Japan with the Eastman Jazz Sextet, culminating in a performance at the Tokyo Jazz Festival in 2017. That same year, he released his first album entitled “Letters Home.” He recently celebrated the release of "The Lockdown Sessions," a full-length solo piano album featuring selections from his solo piano livestreams. Sterling has shared the stage with the likes of Gary Bartz, Donny McCaslin, Matt Wilson, Stefon Harris, Eddie Gomez, the Charles Mingus Big Band, members of the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and more. He currently lives and works in Manhattan, NYC, where he recently completed a master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music. This year he looks forward to continuing to grow and connect with other talented artists in the New York music scene. Sterling will be joined by Rick Lotter on drums and Andrew Mell on bass.
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Sterling Cozza Trio performing Another Blues.
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Quinn Vance performing the 3rd Movement of Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F for the Aria Concert Series at American River College.
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Quinn VanceQuinn Vance - Piano, is a second semester music major at American River College, studying under Dr. Natsuki Fukasawa, Steinway Artist, since October 2021. He began playing piano at the age of 4, first being taught at the historical Victorian Pease Conservatory of Music in Sacramento, CA under Ms. Margie Curler. Although Quinn enjoys a variety of music genres, his passion is classical piano. Some of his notable achievements include reaching third place at the 2023 Ruby Holland Foundation's International Music Competition; being awarded a private masterclass with concert pianist and composer, Frederic Voorn, from Amsterdam, Netherlands; being awarded a scholarship by the American Guild of Organists which provided him with a year of organ lessons under Dr. Ryan Enright; being hailed as one of the winners of the 2024 American River College Concerto Aria competition; and being selected as a scholarship winner by the prestigious Sacramento Saturday Club. Quinn has an eclectic array of personal interests which includes composing music, cooking, bread making, and painting. Quinn plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in piano performance at California State University, Sacramento. He aspires to be a classical piano performer and teacher. His long-term goal is to pass on his love of classical piano to the next generation while being a lifelong learner himself. |
