Rocco Dapice is a pianist, teacher, writer, YAMAHA Performing Artist, and graduate of the Manhattan School of Music (M.M., Jazz Arts). He is on the faculty of the Manhattan School’s summer program (MSM Summer) and New Visions School for Advanced Math & Science; is a teaching artist for MSM’s Distance Learning center; and teaches privately. Rocco has performed widely in over 390 cities, communicating in word and song in 45 of the 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
After relaunching into the wide world of jazz, Rocco studied privately with GRAMMY-winning pianist and composer, Taylor Eigsti; at The Juilliard School for six semesters with pianists, Reuben Allen and Dave Meder; with Juilliard professor, vibraphonist and percussionist, Mark Sherman; and at the Manhattan School with jazz master, Phil Markowitz.
Rocco has built and directed effective arts programs from scratch; has accompanied and recorded keyboard tracks for vocalists; coached and performed with local big bands and worship teams; served as music director and administrator at People’s Church; performed multiple "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack shows; played keyboards in a Billy Joel tribute band; and played featured background roles in a few blockbuster movies.
While a student at the Crane School of Music, Disney Entertainment selected Rocco to spend the summer performing daily in front of the iconic castle with the All-American College Show Band. The eight-piece ensemble also worked weekly with guest musicians Bob Mintzer, Jim Snidero, Matt Harris, Jiggs Whigham, and Allen Vizzutti, among others; and attended exclusive Epcot master classes led by Billy Taylor, Diane Schuur, Mercer Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Rosemary Clooney, and others.
At the Crane School, Rocco studied classical piano with Ronald Tarr during his first year, then with Frank Iogha for three. (Iogha was a 1950s Juilliard grad from the studio of Rosina Lhévinne.) With inspiration and mentoring by jazz director, Bret Zvacek, Rocco began to pursue jazz on the keyboard. After a few private lessons with Upstate jazz pianist, Rick Montalbano Sr., a lesson with tenor sax icon J.R. Monterose, and in the wake of the Disney experience, Iogha sat Rocco down during his senior year and suggested he fully shift his focus to jazz.
Upon graduation Rocco was accepted to the Eastman School of Music graduate program for jazz studies; instead, he earned a master’s degree in theology from a Midwestern seminary. Then for a decade Rocco taught music and theology on the college level, built and directed a church orchestra of over 40 members, and taught private piano and sax students of all ages.
Rocco has been interviewed for The New York Times, US News & World Report, WPIX-TV, The Journal News (Gannett), The Daily Greenburgh, and “The Greenburgh Report” radio show (WVOX). His writing has been published by Westchester Magazine, Christianity Today's Leadership Journal, Outreach Magazine, and other periodicals. Rocco is a member of ASCAP, the Jazz Education Network (JEN), and the National Assn. of Record Industry Professionals.
