I am a dedicated music director, pianist, conductor, and choir leader with over thirty years of experience shaping musical productions across schools, churches, dance companies, and theaters. I thrive in collaborative environments, excel at sight-reading in multiple keys, and bring a versatile skill set—from organ and harpsichord to full-scale arrangements and rehearsals. In projects ranging from The Harlem Nutcracker with the Donald Byrd Dance Company to The Boys Choir of Harlem, the New York City Ballet, and major film and television sessions, I balance precision, creativity, and leadership to bring ensembles to their best performance.

Isaac ben Ayala

I am a dedicated music director, pianist, conductor, and choir leader with over thirty years of experience shaping musical productions across schools, churches, dance companies, and theaters. I thrive in collaborative environments, excel at sight-reading in multiple keys, and bring a versatile skill set—from organ and harpsichord to full-scale arrangements and rehearsals. In projects ranging from The Harlem Nutcracker with the Donald Byrd Dance Company to The Boys Choir of Harlem, the New York City Ballet, and major film and television sessions, I balance precision, creativity, and leadership to bring ensembles to their best performance.

Available to hire

I am a dedicated music director, pianist, conductor, and choir leader with over thirty years of experience shaping musical productions across schools, churches, dance companies, and theaters. I thrive in collaborative environments, excel at sight-reading in multiple keys, and bring a versatile skill set—from organ and harpsichord to full-scale arrangements and rehearsals.

In projects ranging from The Harlem Nutcracker with the Donald Byrd Dance Company to The Boys Choir of Harlem, the New York City Ballet, and major film and television sessions, I balance precision, creativity, and leadership to bring ensembles to their best performance.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Principal Pianist at Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1993
Served as principal pianist for the orchestra, performing in concerts and tours.
Music Director & Commissioned Composer at Karamu Theater
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1993
Music director and commissioned composer for theatrical productions.
Pianist at Cunard, Carnival, Princess & Norwegian Cruise Lines
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1994
Pianist for international cruise line productions.
Jazz Pianist & Principal Pianist at The Boys Choir of Harlem Tour
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2007
Jazz pianist; principal pianist for Boys Choir of Harlem tour.
Pianist, Composer & Band Leader at Self-Employed / Freelance (New York, NY)
January 1, 1995 - Present
Freelance touring jazz pianist, composer, and band leader; based in NYC and performing worldwide.
Pianist at IBM, GE and Corporate Events
January 1, 1997 - Present
Pianist for corporate events across NYC and Tri-State area.
Conductor & Music Director of Musical Productions at Bronx High School of Science
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 2015
Conductor and music director for school musical productions; overseeing musical productions and ensemble direction.
Music Director, Choir Director, Organist & Pianist at New Rochelle United Methodist Church
January 1, 2015 - Present
Music director; choir director (Chancel and Children's Choir); organist and pianist.
Choir Director (Chancel & Children's Choir), Organist & Pianist at New Rochelle United Methodist Church
January 1, 2015 - Present
Chancel and Children's Choir director; organist and pianist for church services and concerts.
Pianist at Leon Thomas, James Spaulding, Quincy Jones & more
January 1, 1995 - Present
Pianist collaborating with renowned artists including Leon Thomas, James Spaulding and Quincy Jones.
Pianist, Composer & Band Leader at Isaac ben Ayala Trio
January 1, 1995 - Present
Pianist, composer and band leader for Isaac ben Ayala Trio; led performances around New York and internationally.
Pianist at IBM, GE and other Corporate Events
January 1, 1997 - Present
Pianist for corporate events and private functions in the NY tri-state area.
Organist at 4th Presbyterian Church
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2020
Organist, music director for chancel and children's choirs, and pianist.
Music Director at New Rochelle United Methodist Church
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2020
Music director; chancel and children’s choir director, organist and pianist.
Choir Director (Chancel and Children’s Choir), Organist and Pianist at New Rochelle United Methodist Church
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2020
Chancel and children’s choir director, organist and pianist.
Assistant Conductor, Pianist, Dance Rehearsal Pianist and Choir Rehearsal Director at The Donald Byrd Dance Company
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 1999
Pianist (Jazz and Pop Band) at The Boys Choir of Harlem
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2005
Principal Accompanist & Rehearsal Pianist at The Boys Choir of Harlem
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007
Performance and Rehearsal Pianist at New York City Ballet
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2012
Performance and Rehearsal Pianist for Susan Stroman’s For The Love of Duke and Frankie and Johnny (1999, 2011, 2012).
Music Director, Organist and Choir Director at Fourth Presbyterian Church
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2016
Music Director, Organist and Choir Director at New Rochelle United Methodist Church
January 1, 2016 - Present
Music Director, Pianist, Conductor and Contractor at The Bronx High School of Science
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 2015
Annual Musical, Cabaret, and productions including Anything Goes, Fiddler on The Roof, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Crazy For You, The Music Man, The Pajama Game, West Side Story, Chorus Line, Grease & Urinetown
Pianist at Quincy Jones
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2000
Big band performances in Paris (Theatre de Champs Elysees), Los Angeles (Walt Disney Theater) and David Letterman Show
Recording Pianist at Quincy Jones In The Pocket
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2001
Incidental piano music for this American Masters PBS Documentary (2001).
Pianist at The Mark Twain Prize
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2013
Televised recorded rehearsals and performances at the Kennedy Center celebrating Billy Crystal (2007), Bill Cosby (2009) and Carol Burnett (2013).
Pianist at Unspecified Hollywood Production
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2007
Evening – recorded piano music for this Hollywood movie featuring Meryl Streep and Vanessa Redgrave.
Pianist at Unspecified Hollywood Production
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2008
The Great Debaters – piano tracks recorded for this Hollywood movie featuring Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker.

Education

Pre-College Piano Lessons, Theory & History Studies at The Juilliard School / Pre-College Division
January 1, 1985 - December 31, 1985
Pre-College Piano Studies at Brooklyn College / Pre-College
January 1, 1983 - December 31, 1984
Pre-College Studies at Hebrew Arts School
January 1, 1985 - December 31, 1987
Bachelor of Music, Historical Performance (Harpsichord) with minors in Classical Piano and Composition at Oberlin College / Conservatory of Music
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1992
Pre-College at Mannes School of Music
January 1, 1981 - January 1, 1982
Pre College at Brooklyn College
January 1, 1983 - January 1, 1984
Accredited Course Work at Brooklyn College
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1985
Pre-College Division at The Juilliard School
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1985
Pre-College Studies at Hebrew Arts School
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1987
Bachelor's of Music at Oberlin College/ Conservatory of Music
January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1992
Bachelor of Music at Oberlin Conservatory at Oberlin College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1991

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Travel & Hospitality, Other