EDUCATIONAL BIO
Scott Gwinnell has been an instructor on jazz piano, trombone, and compositon for the last 17 years. He has experience teaching in Universities, Community College, seminars, clinics, and private lessons.
Gwinnell's educational background consists of a Undergraduate degree in Music from Western Michigan University and Wayne State University, and a Graduate degree in Jazz Studies also from Wayne State. For both degrees, Gwinnell was a student on full scholarship. At the same time he started playing in professional groups on the Detroit scene, gaining valuable bandstand experience. Playing in the bands on Detroit heavy-weight combo and big-band leaders gave Gwinnell the "street chops" that is essential in playing Jazz in the 21st century. At age 22, he also formed his first professional big-band, mostly out of former students and young professionals. This would be the genesis for the Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra.
After a Graduate Assistantship at Wayne State, Gwinnell began teaching at the University level.
University of Toledo was Gwinnell's first job. As a full-time Assistant Visiting Professor under Gunnar Mossblad, he was in charge of the Jazz Piano Studio as well as Music Director for the Vocal Jazz program. His other duties included instrucing: Graduate and Undergraduate Jazz Piano, Jazz Piano Class, Jazz Composing and Arranging, Jazz History, and Jazz Combos. Gwinnell also attended faculty meetings and was the pianist in the faculty Jazz group. He gave a faculty recital and was the featured pianist in the esteemed Art Tatum Jazz Masters Series. After teaching for the three year limit, Gwinnell immediately moved to Bowling Green State University.
At Bowling Green, Gwinnell was an Adjunct Professor, substituting for their director of Jazz Studies, Russ Schmidt. In taking over his duties, Scott directed the Jazz Band I, taught Graduate and Undergraduate Jazz Piano, and Jazz Improvisation.
After Bowling Green, Gwinnell moved to Wayne County Community College where he currently heads the Music-Humanities program. At WCCCD, Scott is working on instituting new programs and building the program.
Besides Institutional teaching, Gwinnell has been a visiting Jazz clinician at Universities and High Schools. Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University, Hildenberg College, Oswego College are part of colleges he has given clinics at. He has also been the jazz piano instructor at Blue Lake Fine Arts camp for four years and has given Elementary school clinics through the Toledo Jazz Society for five.
Gwinnell also has a private studio of some of the best young talent in Detroit. His high standards of teaching have created some of the best young professionals on the Detroit scene today.
Gwinnell's latest project is a summer, week-long day-camp for high school and college students. This camp, the Metro-Detroit Jazz Workshop, is scheduled for its first session this summer.