Faculty

Gerard is a soloist, accompanist, composer and teacher.  He teaches at The New School/COPA: The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music - one of the most influential schools of music in the world.  His focus is jazz theory and composition.   He has also taught at Manhattan School of Music in their jazz program where Emmet Cohen took his Master’s Improv Class.  

He has excellent command over harmony and melody and an inventive approach to composition.  His compositions have been recorded by: Nat Adderley, Vincent Herring, Larry Willis, Red Rodney…

Gerard has performed with many jazz greats including:  John Patitucci, Mel Lewis, Nat Adderley, Red Rodney, Chris Potter, Anat Cohen, Ira Sullivan, Vincent Herring, Dick Oates, Gary Smulyan, Victor Lewis, Victor Jones, Buddy Williams, Steve LaSpina, Alex Blake, Jay Anderson, and many others.

His piano performance career was highlighted by his 5-year stint with Tony Award winning Brian Stokes Mitchell where he was musical director and pianist.

During his tenure with Stokes, Gerard played with the National Symphony Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch; and, the Boston Pops under the direction of Keith Lockhart.  

He has coached Ben Stiller for his lead role playing a songwriter/pianist in the Broadway production of The House of Blue Leaves.  

Students have included: Robert Glasper, Emmet Cohen, Christian Sands, James Francies, Cassandra O’Neal, Joe Harley, Sara Caswell, Anat Cohen, Axel Tosca, Obed Calvaire, Alex Skolnick, Manny Rivera, Gilad Hekselman, Eden Ladin, E. J. and Marcus Strickland, Fabian Almazan and many others.