Jenny Undercofler

Jenny Undercofler is a leading force in contemporary music education, having served as the music director for Kaufman Center's Special Music School since 2004. Special Music School is the only public school in New York City that integrates pre-conservatory music education with academic studies as part of the regular school day starting in kindergarten, providing an unparalleled training environment for musically gifted children.

Ms. Undercofler also co-founded and leads Face the Music, an “alt-classical” ensemble of more than 60 astonishingly talented teenagers from more than 20 New York City schools. Face the Music provides an unparalleled performance and education experience for the next generation of musical leaders. Recipients of the 2011 ASCAP Aaron Copland Award, they have been featured on WQXR’s “Young Artist Showcase” and National Public Radio’s "All Things Considered." Read a New York Times feature on Jenny and Face the Music.

Prior to joining Kaufman Center, Ms. Undercofler spent six years at The Juilliard School, in the Solfège Department of the Pre-College Division. She was also on the theory faculty at Queens College and on the piano faculty at the Third Street Music Settlement.

Ms. Undercofler is an accomplished pianist who has performed with many New York City area musicians and ensembles—including Ensemble Sospeso, Eos Orchestra, Stamford Symphony and the Westchester Symphony—and has worked with prominent composers such as Martin Bresnick, David Del Tredici and Julia Wolfe. She holds B.M. and M.M. degrees in piano performance from The Juilliard School and a D.M.A. from the Eastman School of Music.