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Garry Wasserman

Garry Wasserman

Adjunct Professor of Bass

Dr. Garry Wasserman, Adjunct Professor and double bass artist faculty, has held playing positions with the Florida Philharmonic, Harrisburg Symphony, Hong Kong (China) Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony (substitute), and Principal Bass with the Columbus Bach Ensemble. Additionally he continues to perform frequently in Indianapolis studio sessions and as a substitute with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and the Louisville Orchestra. Summer festivals have included serving as Principal Bass with the Wintergreen (Virginia) and Classical (Eisenstadt, Austria) music festivals, and in tutti positions with the Lancaster, Great Music West, Bellingham, and Puccini (Italy) festivals. Currently he performs as an associate member with the Columbus Symphony and as Co-Principal Bass with the New Albany Symphony.

He obtained the Bachelors of Music degree in performance at the Indiana University Jacobs School with Murray Grodner, continuing in the artist diploma masters program with Bruce Bransby. His early bass studies were with Lucas Drew at the University of Miami, Lynn Peters at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and later studies with Barry Green, Anthony Bianco, and Eugene Levinson. Obtaining the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at Ohio State, his final document focused on the creation of a comprehensive compendium of American string bass makers.

Notable chamber music collaborations have been with Ohio University faculty, the Allard Quartet (PA), and the Ronan Ensemble in Indianapolis. His solo performances include recitals in Hong Kong, Miami, Indianapolis, Columbus, and Athens. Dr. Wasserman has held teaching positions at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Anderson (IN) University, and Penn State University (State College). He has adjudicated at various OMEA events around Ohio and has also taught orchestral bass repertoire classes at Ohio State. He also serves as part time bass faculty at Ohio Wesleyan University and maintains a teaching studio in Columbus through collaboration with Upper Arlington, Hilliard, Dublin, and Olentangy school districts. In 2013 he presented a guest lecture on American bass lutherie at the University of Louisville as well as collaborating in “A Prescott Family Reunion” a presentation on early American music at The 2013 International Society of Bassists convention. In 2014 he presented a poster presentation at The American String Teachers Association (ASTA) conference in Louisville, and in 2015 a lecture on American bass lutherie at the ISB convention. Recently he served as faculty and lecturer at the 2019 Ohio bass day and Ohio State bass camp.

He enjoys performing as a member of "IndyKlez" a klezmer folk ensemble based in Indianapolis, and “Picktown Swing” a Columbus-based jazz ensemble featuring bass, guitar, and vocals.

Educational Background:

B.M., Double Bass, Indiana University (Bloomington)
M.M., Double Bass, Ohio State
D.M.A., Ohio State

Classes Being Taught:

  • Mus 2540 Chamber Music
  • Mus 347D Applied Under-Graduate Bass
  • Mus 547D Applied Graduate Bass
  • Mus 2642 String Methods

Lab Space:

Music 680F