Dr. Bernabe Jorge, III is a recent graduate of the esteemed Eastman School of Music, studying Trombone Performance and Literature with Mark Kellog. Bernabe also holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Master’s of Music Education degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied trombone with the acclaimed Dr. Irvin Wagner. While at Eastman, Bernabe was the recipient of the Steve Witser Memorial Award for Excellence, a finalist in the concerto competition, received a performer’s certificate, and a Downbeat Award as a member of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble. His performing resumé also includes winning a substitute Bass Trombone Position with The Syracuse Orchestra, playing in the Russ Scarbrough Big Band, performing with the Birch Creek Jazz Orchestra, recording with Achilles Liarmakopoulos, co-founding Photonic Brass, just to name a few. Bernabe has a great resource of trombone teachers that have been influential in his development; Larry Zalkind, John Rojak, and
Gabe Rice.
As a music educator, Bernabe is currently the Assistant Professor of Low Brass at the University of Minnesota Duluth. In his current position, he is responsible for recruiting talented students, teaching music courses, coaching a jazz combo, leading one of the jazz ensembles, and teaching applied low brass lessons. He has previously taught at the University of Buffalo, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hochstein School, and Eastman Community Music School. During his time in Norman, Oklahoma, Bernabe received his Kodály certification while completing his master’s degree and teaching general music at Jackson Elementary School. His hope, as an educator, is to share how to love music, have fun with music, and use the power of music in all situations.