Kevin Cummines is a working singer, music director and choral conductor, professional keyboardist (piano and organ), and award-winning composer, having written concert and theatrical works across all mediums and styles, and having trained in these disciplines at the graduate level. He is also a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, and his training in this field informs his work with singers, as well as composers writing for the voice, and for those from the Neurodiversity Community who have specific learning and communication styles and needs. This training also informs the work he is developing to train keyboard skills for those living with Multiple Sclerosis to regain hand function and sensation. Kevin is based in Jersey City, NJ, and works throughout the New York metro area and northern New Jersey.
Teaching Statement
Kevin Cummines offers study in voice/vocal coaching, piano/keyboard skills, and music composition, with study of music theory as applicable. Kevin teaches all ages and for all musical goals, whether for the hobbyist, the pre-professional preparing for advanced study, or for the professional.
Kevin believes in developing whole musicianship. All study begins with the student’s goals. Study with Kevin can focus on one skill set, or combine skill sets to achieve whatever musical goal the student desires. As Kevin believes that all learning comes from play, he fosters joy and fun in every lesson.
Given Kevin’s training as a Speech Language Pathologist, he is equipped to work specifically with those from the Neurodiversity Community, and is able to modify study to accommodate diverse and specific learning and communication needs.
Kevin also has conducted extensive research on working with the transitioning singing voice for those in the Transgender community, and is prepared to help your singing needs throughout the confirmation process.
Kevin’s interest in the intersection between our understanding of neurology and the acquisition of musical skill began when he learned to teach people who were “tone deaf” how to match pitches, and he continues to offer that service for those who wish to learn to sing.
Most recently, Kevin has developed a keyboard training approach designed to accommodate the needs of those living with Multiple Sclerosis; the side-effect of this training program is regaining partial or total hand function, as determined by measures of strength, coordination and agility, and partial to normal hand sensation, eliminating some or all tinging, numbness, and nerve pain. He is currently in the 1st of a 5-phase study applying this approach to other aspects of the neuromuscular system, with promising results.
Singers:
For the singer, Kevin focuses on breath support and securing the safety of the voice, then range development, repertoire development, and song interpretation, emphasizing healthful production across all vocal styles (operatic/classical, Broadway legit, Broadway pop, pop/belt, and choral technique), as informed by his work as a professional singer, choral director and speech language pathologist. He’s also happy to offer training in reading music and basic music theory to support the emerging professional, or to prepare students for advanced study at the collegiate level. Lessons are 1-hour to incorporate healthful vocal techniques and generalizing those skills to repertoire. Other skills such as reading music, learning aural and written music theory, and/or keyboard skills can be incorporated. For more information on studying music with Kevin, click “Music Lessons” above.
For those in the Transgender community:
Kevin provides voice lessons for those pursuing gender confirmation and others in the transgender community. Lessons are intended for anyone experiencing voice change for any reason, and are tailored to the specific needs of the individual. Kevin’s studio is a consummate safe space where you will be acknowledged for the wholeness of your self, and where your clarifying voice will be provided singing support for whatever musical goal you wish to pursue. Lessons can be 30-minutes for vocal work in order to avoid fatigue during voice transition, and then 1-hour to develop the clarified voice; study can incorporate other skills such as reading music, learning aural and written music theory, and/or keyboard skills. For more information on studying music with Kevin, click “Music Lessons” above.
For those who “can’t sing,” or for those who are “tone deaf”:
Kevin believes that singing is a learned behavior: some find it easy, while others need more focused instruction and assistance. Kevin specializes in teaching those who “can’t sing” how to: if you’ve ever said “I can’t sing,” and would like to, Kevin offers voice lessons focusing on pitch-matching skills. If you’re an actor who wants the opportunity to perform in musical theatre, someone who wants to improve their singing in a community environment such as a choir, or just someone who wants to nail-it at karaoke, contact Kevin via the “Contact” link above. For more information, click on “Music Lessons” above.
Piano and Keyboard Study:
For the pianist and keyboardist, Kevin focuses on developing healthful playing technique using the Taubman approach. Kevin believes that all learning derives from play, and so the atmosphere of his lessons focus on repertoire that is enjoyable to the student, and using proper playing technique to achieve the student’s musical goals. Kevin is happy to work with all ages, from beginners to professionals. Lessons can be 30-minutes for piano work and basic music theory skills, or 1-hour to incorporate other skills such as written theory and analysis, singing skills, advanced improvisation, and even compositional skills. For more information on studying music with Kevin, click “Music Lessons” above.
Keyboard Study for those in the Multiple Sclerosis Community:
Based on research from scholars in Milan who study treatments for Multiple Sclerosis, I developed a program to teach you to play the piano or musical keyboard, and the side-effect is that you can regain some or all normal hand function and sensation again. This isn’t a treatment. It’s a skills training program with a really great side-effect. All subjects who have used this approach, including in my studio, have experienced improvements to their quality of life, attributed to improvements in hand strength, agility and coordination, with less numbness, tingling, and nerve pain. Nobody in this program could read music before they began, and I’m ready to talk you through how to make starting this easier for you. Click on “Multiple Sclerosis Work” above to read more about it. When you’re ready, click “Contact” and tell me more about yourself, where you are, and your needs.
Composers:
For the composer, Kevin is happy to instruct in any style and for any ensemble or medium, pending the student’s goals, but always considering the intended audience. Lessons are 1-hour long, and incorporate keyboard skills to develop music theory knowledge (aural and written) as applicable, as well as form and analysis. Each week, the student presents 1 or 2 pieces they are working on, as well as the results of a writing or analysis assignment. For more information on studying music with Kevin, click “Music Lessons” above.
Please note that musical studies with Kevin, including vocal studies for singing, and keyboard training for the Neurodivergent community, including those living with Multiple Sclerosis, do not constitute medical treatment or medical therapy as provided by a speech language pathologist, and lesson costs are not insurance reimbursable. For speech language pathology services, contact Kevin via the “Contact” link above.
Bio & Artist’s Statement
Kevin Cummines is a composer, educator, organist/pianist and singer, with a diverse output ranging from electronic music to theatrical and film scores, commercial and experimental genres, for choral and instrumental platforms. Past residencies include the European American Musical Alliance (2014), Choral Chameleon Summer Institute (2013 & 2014), and Lynn Thomson’s “America-in-Play” (2007-2010). Recent commissions include “Three Works for James Adler” (Albany Records 2014, premiered 2015), Quiver (The Diatonix, 2016), and several short operas (American Opera Projects, 2017-2019). Film score works include “Our Last Day” (JSL Entertainment, 2012), and promotional video packages for the Dance for Film project (Nora Chipaumire/Peak Performances, 2016).
Cummines is a freelance singer, organist and pianist in the New York City and New Jersey areas. He was the longtime Organist and Music Director for Grace United Methodist Church (Wyckoff, NJ, 2013-2023), former conductor of the Cali School New Music Ensemble (2014-2016), former Assistant Director of Con Vivo Music in Jersey City (2016-2019), and a lecturer in the Fine Arts Department of Saint Peter’s University (2006-2020). He enjoys freelance accompaniment work when time allows. Cummines is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (BM Music Composition, BSOF Voice and Ethnomusicology) where he also studied piano and organ performance; New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts (MFA Musical Theatre Writing), and Montclair State University Cali School of Music (MA Music Composition), where he studied music composition with Dr. Marcos Balter, the Taubman approach for piano with Dr. David Witten, and organ performance with Dr. Vince Carr. Cummines is a lecturer at Saint Peter’s University Department of Fine Arts in Jersey City, where he previously served in arts administration, and was Music Director for their campus chorale and theater programs. Cummines is also a licensed speech language pathologist (MA Montclair State University Communication Disorders), and his advanced knowledge of the voice informs his teaching.
As a composer, conductor and educator, Cummines maintains the integral importance of remaining as versatile as possible in his commitment to developing new music, whether for studio, film, theater, the concert stage, or liturgical use, and imparting that spirit of versatility to his students, always fostering an experience of joy and creative collaboration. Collaboration is cardinal to his work. With the classical training of Indiana, combined with the dramatic training of Tisch, he is comfortable in any genre, but gravitates towards the setting of text and the development of narrative. That said, being a great lover of instrumentalists, he is also committed to developing new solo and duo repertoire, particularly for historically neglected instruments, which was the focus of his work at Montclair, under the tutelage of Dr. Marcos Balter. Working directly with performers while developing new works is one of the greatest privileges of composing, and Cummines heartily seeks that opportunity with every new project and commission. He is currently focusing on developing repertoire for under-served solo instruments and small ensembles, as well as narrative-based projects, and is constantly seeking new performers and librettists to collaborate with in the development of new works across media platforms and artistic skill sets.