Jay Hassler

Jay Hassler began his professional career while still in high school with performances in his hometown with the Anchorage Symphony and the Anchorage Opera. Since completing his Master of Music degree in orchestral performance at Manhattan School of Music (1998), studying with Ricardo Morales, he has been active as a performer and educator in the NYC area. Mr. Hassler was a member of The Producers orchestra on Broadway for the run of the show. He has also performed in over 20 Broadway productions, including Wicked, Sunday in the Park with George, How to Succeed in Business, On the Town, Carousel, Les Misérables, South Pacific, and The King and I, among many others.

As an orchestral performer, Mr. Hassler has performed with many top orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, MET Opera, American Symphony Orchestra, Stamford Symphony, Martha Graham Ballet, New York City Opera, Eos Orchestra, Ensemble Échappé, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and Brooklyn Philharmonic. He has performed as a soloist throughout the world, including a performance of the Copland Clarinet concerto with the National Orchestra of the Philippines. Mr. Hassler premiered 5 Songs of Rilke by Francisco Feliciano with the Camilla Symphony in California and in Ukraine. With an interest in popular music, Mr. Hassler has recorded with David Byrne and Sufijan Stevens, as well as performed with Randy Newman on the Late Show with David Letterman. Mr. Hassler was an orchestra member for the North American tour of Star Wars in Concert.

With a commitment to education, Mr. Hassler teaches at a number of elite schools in the NYC area, including Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School, Bank Street School for Children, and the SAR Academy.

Manhattan School of Music Precollege Faculty since 2019.