Eric Schmitz

Dr. Eric Schmitz serves as Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of Jazz Studies at the State University of New York at Oswego, where he directs the Oswego State Jazz Ensemble and Latin Jazz Ensemble while co-leading the faculty Oswego Jazz Project quartet. His responsibilities include teaching Applied Percussion, Intermediate Music Theory, Jazz and Rock History, Improvisation, and Jazz Arranging as Percussion/Guitar Area Coordinator.

His educational credentials feature:

• D.M.A. in Jazz and Contemporary Media (writing/performance) and Ethnomusicology Diploma from Eastman School of Music
• M.M. in Jazz and Contemporary Media from Eastman School of Music
• B.M. in Performance (Percussion) with Jazz Studies minor from University of Northern Iowa
• B.A. in Russian Language from University of Northern Iowa

Professor Schmitz's research centers on Jazz Studies with deep specialization in Cuban music ethnography, having studied under Emilio Del Monte in Havana since 2012. His creative work spans composition, arranging, and performance across contemporary jazz, Latin jazz, and big band genres, reflecting his international engagement through lectures in Cuba and Poland.

As Area Coordinator, he mentors students in ensemble performance and private instruction. His creative output includes three commercial recordings (2007-2012) and published compositions through Really Good Music, LLC and Hip-Bone Music, though specific grant funding details are not documented.

He directs multiple ensembles that form the core of Oswego's jazz performance ecosystem, including the Oswego Jazz Project faculty quartet which facilitates collaborative teaching and cross-departmental musical innovation.