Talented local musician ready for next chapter
Enrolls as a film and arts student at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
Jeff Kuznicki is a young man of many musical talents. He can play nearly every instrument – just give him two weeks.
In high school, Jeff proved that when longtime Rogers City High School band director Ed Wilbert needed a tuba player for a spring concert.
Jeff knew other band members could step up to fill his role. It only took him a week-and-a-half for the versatile musician to learn the instrument, and he played it in a proficient manner.
“He did a lot percussion drumming for me, but he is a very good pianist,” said Wilbert.
“The only thing that I really have not broken into is woodwinds, but that is coming,” said Jeff, who is the son of Jeff and Irene Kuznicki of Hawks. He comes from a musical family and he was exposed to it at a very early age, his mother said.
Many know Jeff, because he has taken part in many area church services. His talents are much appreciated, and will be missed. He begins an exciting new chapter of his life as a film and arts student at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. It is just outside of Orlando.
“He is really a talented musician,” said Ben Witter, Rogers City band director. “I think he is going to do really well down there. He has a great game plan.”
He had been taking online classes since June, but finally arrived in Orlando within the last week.
“They work very closely with the entertainment industry to develop their curriculum,” said Jeff. “They will bring industry people to advise them on what to teach, and then they will hire the students out of the school because they are learning what they want them to learn. It was very logical to me because I want to get into the entertainment industry.”
The school seems to be a perfect fit for Jeff, who is ready to express all of his artistic talents.
“ The name of the degree is music production. So, I can do anything from produce an album to voice over work, which is something I am interested in, as well as film scoring.”
He said the school would be a good gateway for that.
“I’m in an accelerated program,” said Jeff. “My academic year is only eight months, I believe tuition is $12,000. It is not cheap, but not private school expensive.”
Since high school, he has been involved in three to five area churches every weekend. He plays the organ, selects music and teaches.
“With the Catholic churches that I was at, I do a lot of the cantering, leading the choir and the congregation while playing,” he said. “I’ve played mostly for the Catholic and Lutheran churches in the area. I will play where I am wanted, needed.” But, he has tried to prepare them for this moment for many years.
Jeff also has taken on acting roles in plays in Rogers City and Alpena. He has had a lead role in “Kiss Me Kate” at the Alpena Civic Theater. He also had a principal role in “Annie Get Your Gun” at the Rogers City Community Theatre.
“I also have been playing, accompaniment, percussion and keyboard, with the Thunder Bay Theater,” said Jeff.
He has been part of the Besser Male Chorus, Alpena Community College (ACC) Collegiate Singers and ACC jazz ensemble. His vocal range covers a wide range too.
He attended ACC for three years and graduated with a liberal arts associates degree, as well as a one-year certificate in network administration.
“It is the sad truth but there are not opportunities; not venues; not creative outlets for artistic people in northern Michigan. It is limited at best,” he said. “It is time for me to go somewhere where I can meet my potential.”
Sept. 22, he bid farewell to family, loaded his blue PT Cruiser with as many instruments as possible and prepared for the trip to Florida. “I am happy to have a large family with places to stick things,” said Jeff, who had been living in an apartment in Alpena. He started the drive toward Florida, Monday. “I’m happy to be in a larger apartment down there because being a musician takes up a lot of space.”
“I really want to do w
“Think there are some great things in store,” said Witter. “I am already bummed about him not being in the city band next year, but there will be people to fill in. He just brought something special to the table.”
Jeff graduated with honors from RCHS and lettered in football, and of course band.
(Watch a video from the Nautical City Festival concert below)