George Russell, Jr. – a performer, composer, and educator who began taking piano lessons when he was 7 years old. Along with studying formally, George had the fortune of growing up playing at his local church. There was no written music at church, so he was given the opportunity to develop his ear. Prior to becoming chair of the Harmony and Jazz Composition Department at Berklee College of Music, he served as a professor of harmony and piano. He has been awarded the Ted Pease Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Curriculum Development Award for the Professional Writing and Music Technology Division. He has also been recognized with the highest award that Berklee gives to faculty, the Most Distinguished Faculty Award. He's known as a source of encouragement and inspiration to anyone who crosses his path.