Jay Contrino, adjunct instructor of music, teaches Jazz Appreciation, Theories of Music in Culture, Aural Skills, and applied drum set lessons. As an educator, Jay is a former instructor of the North Texas Music Academy and is former adjunct faculty of Eastfield College in Dallas, TX. As a player, he has performed a variety of music styles and genres throughout his professional career including pop, rock, funk, jazz, big band, country, and Broadway style musicals. He has performed on cruise ships, at theme parks, small clubs, large hotels, symphony halls, and jazz festivals. Notable performances include the New Orleans Jazz Festival in 2007, the Denton Jazz and Arts Festival in 2008, and the Smokey Hill River Festival in Salina, KS, in 2011. In 2008 he toured throughout the United States as a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

During his 4 year tenure with Royal Caribbean cruise lines, he was music director and performed with entertainers Maureen McGovern, Ben Vereen, Tommy Tune, the Osmond Brothers, Lorna Luft, Joanne Whirley, Bowzer, Mickey Dolenz, the Platters, the Coasters, and The Diamonds to name but a few. Since moving to Cape Girardeau, in January 2010, Jay has performed with the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra, the Theater and Dance department in musicals, and with the faculty jazz ensemble,The Jazz Sultans. In March, 2011, Jay was the featured guest artist with the Percussion Ensemble. Jay also performs in Cape Girardeau with the Lower Downtown Jazz Quartet.

Jay holds a Bachelor in Performance (B.M.) from Berklee College of Music, and a Master's degree in Jazz Studies (M.M.) from University of North Texas. Notable drum teachers that Jay has studied with include Gary Chaffee and Ed Soph.

http://www.contrinodrumstudio.com