Conversations with U: Music Alumni Panel
Welcome to Conversations with U, Usdan's panel discussion series in which we speak with alumni from various fields. Through Conversations with U, we hope to connect our impassioned community and draw inspiration from the ways former Usdan students are contributing creatively to the world.
For our second Conversations with U panel, we will speak with Usdan alumni who are now professional musicians, music directors, or vocalists. How did they get started? How did their time at Usdan influence their art? What are they working on now? Join us on Zoom and find out - all are welcome!
Jane Monheit
Jane Monheit is a jazz and adult contemporary vocalist specializing in the Great American Songbook. With eleven solo albums to her name and over two decades of international touring experience, Jane has not only been an extremely successful bandleader, but has had the privilege of making music with some of the greatest names in jazz.
Come What May, her first album in five years, highlights her fresh takes on first-rate standards, with deft interpretations honed after years on the road.
For more information, visit www.janemonheitonline.com.
Sam Dillon
Native New Yorker, saxophonist, composer and teacher, Sam Dillon has established himself as one of the most in demand musicians of his generation. Sam’s prolific soloist and sideman work includes over 20 studio recordings, performances on a global level and international critical acclaim garnering him recognition as one of the defining voices on the tenor saxophone today.
In 2016, Sam received his Artist Diploma from the prestigious Juilliard School as the saxophonist in the A.D. Jazz Program. This ensemble toured and taught internationally at destinations including The Tokyo Jazz Festival, The Torino Jazz Festival, The Sao Paulo Jazz Festival, and Lincoln Center. In 2013, Sam was selected as one of 13 semi-finalists for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition where he performed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.
In addition to performing, Sam is the Jazz Conductor at Usdan Summer Camp For The Arts, Woodwind Teaching Artist for The New York Pops, saxophone instructor for The Juilliard MAP program, and improvisation teacher for The Big Apple Music Festival. Sam is an endorsing artist for Yamaha Saxophones and D’Addario Reeds.
For more information please visit www.samdillonmusic.com.
Mat Eisenstein
Mat Eistenstein is a NYC based Music Director, Pianist, Composer, Arranger, and Vocal Coach. He has also conducted the Broadway productions of Frozen, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Something Rotten, Newsies, The Book of Mormon, Elf, Promises, Promises, Next to Normal, Bye Bye Birdie, 13, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Fiddler On The Roof, Avenue Q, 42nd St., and Les Miserables. He has played keyboards in over 45+ Broadway pit orchestras. He can be heard on the Original Broadway Cast recordings of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Something Rotten, Disney's Newsies, Elf, Promises Promises. Mat’s original music for Piano album, SURROUNDINGS, was released in 2016. For more info, check out: www.mateisenstein.com
Elyse Lauzon
Elyse Lauzon was appointed Fourth Horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic by Gustavo Dudamel in October 2021. Prior to that, she held positions in the San Diego Symphony, the Pacific Symphony, and the Sarasota Orchestra.
A native of Long Island, New York, Lauzon studied with Erik Ralske of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra throughout high school. Lauzon attended The Colburn Conservatory of Music for her Bachelor of Music degree and Professional Studies Certificate where she studied with Andrew Bain and David Krehbiel. Lauzon attended Northwestern University for her Master of Music degree where she studied with Gail Williams and Jonathan Boen. Lauzon was also a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where she received lessons from David Griffin and Daniel Gingrich of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Lauzon has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She has attended several music festivals including the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, St. Barts Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Tanglewood, and Music Academy of the West.
Michelle Simone Miller (Moderator)
Michelle Simone Miller is a Usdan alumna and actress in TV, Film, Commercials, and Off-Broadway theater. Her credits include Homeland, Blue Bloods, Winter's Tale, and a lead role in the MTV scripted show, One Bad Choice. She also hosts the podcast Mentors on the Mic, featuring interviews with accomplished mentors in the entertainment industry including Showrunner Marta Kauffman (Friends), Actor Tony Goldwyn (Scandal), and more.
