Larry Ballereau
Director
Jazz Ensemble Laurence Ballereau was a member of the music faculty of the Syosset Central School District for 35 years, and retired in June 2020. At Syosset he was the Director of Bands at the High School, conducting the Jazz and Wind Ensembles. Mr. Ballereau holds a Bachelors Degree in Music education from Hofstra University and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Long Island University, C.W. Post campus.

In 2010 Mr. Ballereau was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame as the Educator of Note. He was recognized for his development of a three-course curriculum for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the music industry. The courses, Commercial Music, Recording for Musicians and Improvising Music, helped the Syosset Music Department attain national recognition, including a 2001 Kennedy Center Award and five-time designation as a Grammy Signature School. The Wind Ensemble, under Mr. Ballereau’s direction, has received numerous Level VI Gold with Distinction, NYSSMA ratings.

In 2011 the PTA of the Syosset Central School District presented Mr. Ballereau with the Jenkins Award, acknowledging the significant contributions he has made to students through music education. In addition, has been recognized throughout his educational career by Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

In 2017 Mr. Ballereau became a Grammy Music Educator Quarterfinalist. Mr. Ballereau has been nominated to Who’s Who Among American Teachers numerous times and he is a sought-after educational clinician and guest conductor.

Mr. Ballereau is currently the conductor of the Jazz Ensemble for Nassau-Suffolk Performing Arts and is an adjunct professor at Hofstra University teaching woodwind methods. He previously served as an adjunct professor of saxophone at Teacher’s College at Columbia University. Mr. Ballereau is a member of the NYSSMA Technology Committee and is a certified member of TI:ME (Technology in Music Education).

In addition to his career as an educator, Mr. Ballereau works as a band leader, woodwind player, guitarist and vocalist, and has performed with such well known artists as Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Jeff Kashiwa, Conrad Korsch, Michael Feinstein, Idina Menzel, Phoebe Snow and Billy Taylor. He has also performed in and conducted numerous pit orchestras for regional theatre companies.

In addition to conducting and performing, Mr. Ballereau runs his own recording studio, where he mixes, arranges and produces independent recordings for broadcast television and film. He has released two CDs of his original compositions, available on all streaming platforms.