Ian Wardenski

Ian Wardenski is a Full Professor of Music and Chair of Performing Arts at Anne Arundel Community College's School of Liberal Arts. A composer, theorist, and guitarist, he bridges scholarly research and performance through his work in jazz harmony, rhythmic systems, and classical guitar. His compositions feature on three critically acclaimed albums exploring chamber-jazz fusion (Collective Thoughts), textural rhythm (Trust), and pitch-class transformations (Unfoldings).

Education:

• B.A. Music, Notre Dame de Namur University (2001)
• M.M. Music Theory, Duquesne University (2004)
• Ph.D. Music Theory, Catholic University of America (2015)

Research Focus: His work integrates theoretical analysis (notably of Tárrega and J.S. Bach) with performance innovation, emphasizing:

• Jazz-chamber hybrid composition
• Rhythmic organization systems
• Harmonic complexity in modern jazz
• Classical guitar performance practice

Academic Leadership: At AACC, he directs the Small Jazz Combo and World Class Jazz Series while teaching courses spanning music theory, jazz history, and improvisation.