Aric Schneller, an artist of many talents, is in constant demand regionally and nationally as an expert clinician, dynamic soloist/conductor, master teacher, producer, and as an inventive composer and arranger. He has had frequent invitations and appearances at the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association Conventions, American Band College Convention, and most notably at The Midwest Clinic. As a committed and enthusiastic jazz educator, Dr. Schneller has served as President and on the Board of Directors for the Texas Jazz Educators Association. Dr. Schneller is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at Sam Houston State University and is the founder and Artistic Director of the annual SHSU Bill Watrous Jazz Festival. Dr. Schneller previously taught at Idaho State University, the University of North Texas, and in the public schools of Justin, Texas.
Dr. Schneller is a former member of the Grammy-Nominated University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band as well as the DownBeat Magazine award-winning Two O'Clock Lab Band and Jazz Singers. He has worked and performed with such jazz greats as Bob Mintzer, Arturo Sandoval, Phil Woods, Danilo Pérez, John Allred, Randy Brecker, Pete Christlieb, John Fedchock, Chuck Findley, Andy Firth, Ingrid Jensen, Rich Matteson, Diane Reeves, Lynn Seaton, Ed Soph, Allen Vizzutti, and Bill Watrous, amongst many others.
Originally from Missoula, Montana, Dr. Schneller holds a D.M.A. in Trombone Performance from the University of North Texas, a M.M. in Vocal and Operatic Performance from Boston University, a M.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, and a B.M. in Trombone Performance from the University of Montana. Dr. Schneller is a composer and arranger for Alfred/Belwin Music and RBC Music Publishing, a Yamaha Performing Artist, a member of ASCAP, and a voting member of the Recording Academy Grammy Awards.
