Recordings
Education
Undergrad
Isaac began his formal study in music at the University of Mary in his hometown of Bismarck, North Dakota, under the direction of Dr. Lucas Bernier. In 2018 he graduated with honors and earned his bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance.
During this time, Isaac performed in almost every ensemble offered at U-Mary, including the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Concert Band, Concert Choir (percussion), Steel Band and Percussion Ensemble.
In addition to university ensembles, Isaac performed in many local groups and faculty ensembles. He was also a section percussionist in the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra, and in 2018 he became the first recipient of the BMSO Conductor’s Choice Award.
Master’s
Directly following his time at U-Mary, Isaac moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa to begin studying at the University of Northern Iowa under Chris Merz and Dr. Michael Conrad. In 2020 he graduated with honors and earned his master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy.
At UNI, Isaac performed in Jazz Band One, Jazz Band Two, Jazz Combos, Jazz Slides, the UNI Wind Ensemble, and the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra. He also directed the UNI Jazz Band Three and one of the Jazz Combos.
Continuing to work as a freelance musician in addition to his university ensembles, Isaac also performed in several of his own groups and with many successful local musicians, taking him all over Iowa.
Doctoral
After graduating from UNI in 2020, Isaac concluded his short but eventful time in Iowa and moved to Rochester, New York to study at the Eastman School of Music.
In 2023, He completed his doctoral degree in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media, under the direction of Rich Thompson,.
With his teaching assistantship, he taught all of the secondary jazz drum set lessons for both music majors and non-majors at Eastman and the University of Rochester.
Isaac performed in many of the jazz ensembles at Eastman, but served most of his time in the Eastman Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Bill Dobbins. Isaac studied composition privately with Dave Rivello. and performed at the 2022 Rochester International Jazz Festival with the Dave Rivello Ensemble.
University Teaching
Isaac currently teaches applied drum set lessons at Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva, NY
Private Teaching
Isaac has teaching experience with a wide variety of students and settings.
He continues to develop new and better strategies to reach and engage students, no matter their age, skill, or musical preference.
Private lessons
Isaac began teaching private percussion and drum set lessons in 2014, and he continues to expand his private studio both in-person and virtually.
ECMS
The Eastman Community Music School offers music lessons, ensembles, classes, and workshops to community members of all ages and backgrounds. Isaac currently serves as the drum set intern and teaches lessons at the ECMS under main faculty member Mike Melito. Information about ECMS and how to register for lessons can be found on their website esm.rochester.edu/community.
Large group
During his time in North Dakota, Isaac served as a clinician for high school drum lines preparing for fall. He has also served as a clinician and adjudicator for middle school and high school percussion contests. At UNI, he directed the Jazz Band Three, and was also invited to be a rhythm section clinician for several high school jazz ensembles while in Iowa. Most recently, he was invited to be an adjudicator and guest artist at the 2023 U-Mary Jazz Festival.
small group
Isaac led his own jazz trio during his undergraduate degree, and found success playing gigs often. In Iowa, he co-led another trio that performed all around the state and was a featured guest at the 2019 UNI Jazz Combo Camp. He also directed one of the UNI Jazz Combos during his first year there.