Sean Vigneau-Britt

Sean Vigneau-Britt is a jazz pianist, composer, and teacher. He performs as a soloist, ensemble pianist, and accompanist in the greater New York City area. He composes using a broad stylistic palette that includes work for musicians, theater directors, filmmakers, and choreographers. He started his private teaching practice in 2009.

Sean earned his BA at Sarah Lawrence College, where he practiced piano, trumpet, guitar, and voice. He composed jazz, contemporary classical, and electroacoustic music, working with choreographers. His musicology studies included Western European music history, African American music history, Indian classical music, East Asian music, and West African music. Additional studies included conducting, arranging, and sight singing. Sean was awarded the Presser Foundation Fellowship in 2008.

In the Master of Music composition program at Brooklyn College, Sean worked as resident composer with the conservatory's orchestra, percussion ensemble, and contemporary music ensemble. In 2016 he was awarded the Morton Feldman Award in Composition and the Nancy Hager Music History Prize.

In 2017, Sean wrote and self-published the book "Jazz Scales" as a guide for his students. It has sold thousands of copies worldwide since. In 2018, Sean released his album "At Scholes Street Studio," with his jazz trio. In 2020, Sean released his second album, "Music of Strings," comprised of contemporary classical compositions for string ensembles.

From 2018-2024, Sean taught music at the Kew-Forest School in Queens, NY. He designed a core music curriculum for Grades 6-8, and designed electives for students in Grades 9-12. He worked as Arts Department Chair from 2022-2024. Sean moved to Kingston, NY, in 2024, where he continues teaching private lessons.

I bring to lessons an expansive education in music performance, theory, and composition in different styles, as well as the ability to explain and display the necessary skills in a variety of ways for a diversity of learning styles. I teach an aggressive curriculum, but one that is tailored to each student's individual strengths and weaknesses, and I always remain gentle and patient while guiding my students through the rewarding process of learning to create music. I enjoy so much about my work, and here are just a few elements: Sharing my love for music with those eager to learn the art for themselves. The moments when the student finds expression the music, transcending the notes as they're written on the page. Seeing my students perform at their recitals, where they share everything they have learned. Meeting so many incredible people who are all connected by a love for music!