Welcome to my website!
Turning air into music--and students into confident musicians--one day at a time.
Hi there! My name is JT Cummings (they/them) and I’m a trombonist, educator, and New York State Licensed Public School Teacher based in the greater New York area. I spend my days teaching, performing, and helping musicians of all levels discover that music theory can be fun.
I currently am a candidate for a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Trombone Performance at Stony Brook University under the tutelage of John Rojak of the American Brass Quintet and Rick Stout of the Cleveland Orchestra. I earned my Master of Music (MM) in Trombone Performance from Stony Brook University in Spring 2025 and hold dual Bachelor of Music (BM) degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance with a Music History minor from The Hartt School, University of Hartford, completed in Spring 2023. At Stony Brook, I am an instructor of Music 119: Elements of Music, an undergraduate music theory course for non-majors. During Summer 2025, I had the pleasure of guiding students through the sights and sounds of the 20th and 21st centuries in Music 308: History of Jazz. I am looking forward to Summer Term 2026 where I will teach Music 320: Popular Music in the United States!
I work in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) office as the Area All-State Coordinator, assist with annual All-State music orders and licensing requests, and complete other clerical and financial office tasks to help keep the organization running at a state level. As of the winter of 2026, I am a brass adjudicator for NYSSMA solo audition festivals. I also serve on the Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Representation (BEDR) committee as of February 2026.
Whether I’m on stage, in the classroom, processing paperwork in the office, or learning new music in the practice room, my mission is simple: make music, share music, and make music accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for all!
I currently am a candidate for a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Trombone Performance at Stony Brook University under the tutelage of John Rojak of the American Brass Quintet and Rick Stout of the Cleveland Orchestra. I earned my Master of Music (MM) in Trombone Performance from Stony Brook University in Spring 2025 and hold dual Bachelor of Music (BM) degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance with a Music History minor from The Hartt School, University of Hartford, completed in Spring 2023. At Stony Brook, I am an instructor of Music 119: Elements of Music, an undergraduate music theory course for non-majors. During Summer 2025, I had the pleasure of guiding students through the sights and sounds of the 20th and 21st centuries in Music 308: History of Jazz. I am looking forward to Summer Term 2026 where I will teach Music 320: Popular Music in the United States!
I work in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) office as the Area All-State Coordinator, assist with annual All-State music orders and licensing requests, and complete other clerical and financial office tasks to help keep the organization running at a state level. As of the winter of 2026, I am a brass adjudicator for NYSSMA solo audition festivals. I also serve on the Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Representation (BEDR) committee as of February 2026.
Whether I’m on stage, in the classroom, processing paperwork in the office, or learning new music in the practice room, my mission is simple: make music, share music, and make music accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for all!