Tara Buzash, Jazz and Classical Pianist

I will play very high quality piano music that will be perfect for your event. For parties and cocktail hours, I can play an upbeat mix of standard jazz, pop/rock, and Broadway. For wedding ceremonies or church services, I can play all of the traditional wedding favorites and many more classics and religious selections. And for holiday parties, I can play plenty of upbeat Christmas tunes and some Klezmer music!

I am good at making things swing -- I even get people dancing to just solo piano. But I also love to change it up with a slow, beautiful ballad.

If there is no piano at the venue, or if you need me to play outside, I can bring my own keyboard for an extra $50. It is a full-size Korg with very realistic grand piano sound. I also have a Roland amplifier and a 50-foot extension cord -- I am self-sufficient and will not need to use your DJ's equipment.

I have many years of experience with accompanying vocalists and can change key and tempo to suit their needs.

Please note that I don't sing, although I love to interact with people and I can take requests and help people have fun at the event.

I will wear black dressy clothing, look well groomed and professional and be in a good mood... I guarantee it. :)

Tara Buzash is a pianist, composer, educator, and businesswoman who thrives on hard work, who loves what she does, and who has a long list of accomplishments to demonstrate a standard of excellence in all areas of her work. Buzash is driven by her desire to serve as well as to lead, and to connect in a meaningful way with those around her.

Business

In 2008, Buzash and a colleague founded Sweet Harmony as a music duo serving New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia. Buzash later became the sole leader of the group, incorporated it in the state of New Jersey, and expanded to include a network of 40 musicians serving five states. The company has achieved a growth rate of 30% per year under Buzash's leadership. Sweet Harmony has won national sales awards on websites such as (link hidden) and (link hidden) and has been featured in local newspapers.

Among Sweet Harmony's clients are Douglas Elliman Real Estate (the nation's fourth largest real estate company); Hollywood movie star Tunde Adebimpe ("Rachel Getting Married," TV on the Radio); businessman George P. Reeth (Validus Holdings Ltd., Companion Property & Casualty Insurance Group); the New Jersey Small Business Development Center; Parkway Toyota of Englewood Cliffs, NJ; Campbell Soup Company; Lord Abbett; and Bachem Americas.

Piano Performance

Tara Buzash is that rare pianist who is truly versatile, as comfortable in Sunday afternoon classical ensembles as she is in late-night jazz jam sessions. Her 20 years of performing experience have taken her to The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C.; Ortlieb's Jazzhaus and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia; the Waldorf, The Carlyle, and the National Arts Club in Manhattan; New Jersey's PNC Bank Arena; the Trenton, NJ Women in Jazz Festival; and the New Jersey Independent Music Festival among many others.

In May 2011, Buzash was one of eight young female jazz pianists from around the world chosen to participate in the 2011 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Emerging Artist Workshop, held at The Kennedy Center. Her unique solo performance of "Round Midnight" was praised by jazz legend Toshiko Akiyoshi as "fantastic."

In 2013, Buzash completed her Master's degree in Jazz Piano Performance at Rutgers University, where she was a Pee Wee Russell Jazz Scholarship winner. Her principal mentors at Rutgers were Stanley Cowell and Conrad Herwig. She has also studied with Kenny Barron, Charles Tolliver, Bill O'Connell, Ralph Peterson Jr., Connie Crothers, Laurie Altman, Bevan Manson, and John Harmon.

In addition to piano performance, Buzash has experience in various accompaniment settings. She has accompanied Broadway tap dancer Maurice Chestnut, musical theater at the Hopewell (NJ) Off-Broadstreet Theatre, and ballet classes taught by the American Ballet Theatre's retired principal ballerina, Susan Jaffe. Buzash has also worked with the world-class Manhattan vocalist Margaret Dorn. And, she often performs for church services of various denominations.

Buzash draws from this rich diversity of experiences and talents to inform her art. "It's all connected through what I feel," she says. "When I'm on stage playing for people, I'm sharing all that I am. I want the audience to come away feeling new and inspired, like they have just experienced something rare and special."

Composition / Songwriting

Buzash is the 2012 Grand Prize Winner of the New Jersey Arts Collective's annual graduate student composition contest. This contest required contestants to compose a piece of music based on an abstract painting of shapes. By imagining the shapes dancing, Buzash was able to construct music to connect the still forms to the movement of sound. Her music compositional ideas are called "ingenious" by Grammy-nominated composer/pianist Laurie Altman.

Buzash's compositions include jazz instrumentals, original songs, Christmas music, and modern jazz-influenced church solos and hymn settings. Her church solo sheet music is available for sale at (link hidden).

Teaching

Coming from a family of educators -- both of Buzash's parents received degrees in education and taught full-time -- Buzash learned the value of real teaching and learning. She has taught music since her graduation from college, and her teaching experience now includes private lessons, jazz ensemble coaching, jazz history lectures, and serving as director for summer jazz camps.

Her new teaching project, "Buzash Total Piano," prepares students to be the kind of pianist she is, at ease with any kind of music, and finding the joy and power of the piano as the expressive instrument.

Buzash is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and spent two years in mainland China teaching piano and jazz history in this language to young Chinese music students.

Community Service

In the community, Buzash is now bringing her dedication and talents to the non-profit Greater Princeton Steinway Society, where she serves on their Board of Directors. She spearheaded the Society's first jazz season in 2013-2014, choosing artists to perform for three jazz piano concerts, and organizing a jazz piano competition for high school students.

Buzash is also active in her church, accompanying the singers on piano and serving as Chair of the Advertising and Media Committee. She taught Sunday School for several years.

Hobbies

Out of the studio and out of the office, Buzash loves to dance ballet, run, swim, and do Pilates workouts.

I carry insurance on my keyboard equipment.