Keller Coker brings a wealth of experience to The New School's College of Performing Arts, where he serves as a valued faculty member. Over a career spanning several decades, he has made his mark as a jazz trombonist, composer, and arranger. His path through both academia and the music world has been filled with meaningful contributions and collaborations, truly enriching the lives of students and listeners.
Before coming to The New School, Keller held a tenured professorship at Western Oregon University. There, he played a key role in developing the music program and guiding young musicians. His teaching covers a wide range, from songwriting and historical music performance to jazz composition and music theory. Keller's way of teaching centers on helping students discover their own creativity and find new ways to express themselves.
Keller's professional life is just as vibrant, highlighted by collaborations with well-known artists like Kurt Elling and Martha Reeves. He has a knack for bringing together his skills as a performer, composer, and arranger, resulting in many successful projects and memorable performances. Working alongside these artists hasn't just enriched his own musical path; it's also added significantly to the wider jazz and music scene.
Beyond teaching and performing, Keller also has considerable experience producing and developing performances for respected musicians. His deep understanding of how music comes together behind the scenes allows him to craft truly memorable and powerful musical experiences. This particular skill set has been a wonderful addition to The New School, where he keeps inspiring and mentoring the next wave of artists.
Keller's passion for both music and education shines through in his continuous work to explore new possibilities in how music is taught. His fresh perspective and genuine love for the arts make him a truly important member of The New School's lively community. As he keeps looking into new directions within music and education, Keller stays dedicated to helping talent and creativity flourish in everything he does.
Located in the heart of New York City, The New School's School of Drama provides a dynamic and comprehensive theater education within the College of Performing Arts. It offers BFA, MFA, and MA programs, emphasizing rigorous, project-based training across acting, directing, dramatic writing, creative technology, and contemporary performance. Students benefit from a collaborative environment, a faculty of accomplished industry professionals, and unparalleled access to the vibrant NYC theater world. Building on the legacy of the historic Dramatic Workshop, the school fosters artistic growth and prepares versatile artists for impactful careers, utilizing excellent facilities like the Black Box theater and Arnhold Hall.
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The New School is a private research university in New York City. It was founded in 1919 as The New School for Social Research with an original mission dedicated to academic freedom and intellectual inquiry and a home for progressive thinkers. Since then, the school has grown to house five divisions within the university. These include the Parsons School of Design, the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, the College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, and the Schools of Public Engagement.
