Justin Binek
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- Olathe, KS
- Composer, Arranger
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Dr. Justin Binek is an internationally recognized jazz and classical singer, pianist, clinician, and composer/arranger. He is a co-author of Experiencing Jazz (Routledge); he is also a contributing author to Diana Spradling’s Jazz Singing: Developing Artistry and Authenticity and Katrien Van Opstal’s Vocal Jazz Technique: The Mixing Table Model. A renowned scat singer and teacher of vocal improvisation, Justin is a featured clinician in Michele Weir’s ScatAbility iOS app. Justin’s compositions and arrangements are available from Kerry Marsh Music and Anchor Music, and his original jazz-inspired mass, Missa Lucis, debuted at Carnegie Hall in June 2022.
A 2022 and 2023 GRAMMY Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist, Justin currently serves as an Associate Professor of Music Theory and Jazz Studies at Kansas City Kansas Community College, where his students have earned numerous DownBeat Student Music Awards. He also teaches on the faculties of The Online Jazz Harmony Retreat and the Halewynstichting Jazz Workshop (Belgium), and previously held teaching positions at the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND), The University of the Arts (Philadelphia). Justin holds BA and BS degrees in Music Performance and Music Education from the University of Mary, an MM in Voice Performance from Western Michigan University, and a DMA in Performance: Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas.
Justin is an active performer in the vibrant Kansas City jazz scene, and lives in Olathe, KS, with his wife, Claire, an accomplished vocal pedagogue and middle school choir director, and their daughters, Cora and Iris.