BIOGRAPHY

MUSIC EDUCATION

Music has always been an integral part of my life. Growing up in the Bay Area, raised by a single mom, I was fortunate to receive a Yehudi Menuhin music scholarship to attend The Nueva School at the age of 6. The scholarship was merit based on my piano ability – and my enrollment at the prestigious private school depended on it. So during those times that I didn’t really want to be practicing Mozart while all my friends were having fun playing outside, my scholarship served as a great motivator. But overall, I really enjoyed the piano as a creative outlet. I was good at it and I revelled in the competition with the other music students. Another big part of my early music education was as an original member of now renowned San Francisco Bay Area’s Ragazzi Boys’ Chorus. I credit the training I received there for much of my music theory education. When my voice changed, I graduated and stopped singing and transitioned into accompanying the choir on piano. In junior high and high school I played in school jazz bands, accompanied the choirs and performed in many musical theater productions. By the time I was 12, I was getting paid as a pianist; sometimes through school as well as on my own. Summers I spent taking advanced music theory classes at San Francisco Conservatory of Music and participated in Ragazzi summer camp, first as a camper and then as a camp counselor and music theory teacher.

My most influential teacher was Thomas LaRatta (Professor Emeritus at Notre Dame de Namur University) who I studied with privately throughout jr. high, high school and beyond. Mr. LaRatta continued to be quite the inspiration – he was a beloved teacher to many and taught his private students up until his death in 2016 at the age of 86! (I always made a point to visit him when I was in the area – my last visit with him was the day after Christmas in 2015.) After high school, Mr LaRatta led me to initially study piano performance at Notre Dame. I then went on to earn my Bachelors degree in Music Composition at UC Santa Barbara.

ABOUT WEINGLASS MUSIC

My wife, Kim, and I were married in 2008 in the middle of the great recession. My residency playing piano in the lounge at The Beverly Hilton had already been stripped down from four nights to just one night a week due to the recession. Kim’s advertising business had also taken a big hit with her largest client filing for bankruptcy. She was ready for a change, so in 2009 we joined forces, creating Weinglass Music and have been working as a team ever since. In the beginning, times were tough. We hustled all over town for gigs and would even haul my keyboard down to 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica to play for tips and sell CDs! In 2010 we landed a residency that had me playing piano every weekend in the luxury court at Westfield Topanga Mall. This provided us stability for 3 ½ years to pursue other creative projects such as producing concerts, albums and videos. From 2015 – 2020 (up until the pandemic hit) I held residencies at Hotel Bel-Air and Parkway Grill in Pasadena. In addition to the long term residencies I’ve held, the cornerstone of what we do as Weinglass Music is provide live music for events. Kim and I have developed a solid reputation among respected event industry professionals, venues and high profile clients. Our hard work has paid off and I’m fortunate to be in high demand to perform for corporate and entertainment industry events, charity galas, weddings, and private parties of all kinds throughout Los Angeles and beyond. In 2019, we celebrated 10 years of our business partnership. We went all out and invited our esteemed clients and colleagues to attend a fabulous soirée held at Villa Bellevista, a private estate in Hollywood Hills! We tapped into the extraordinary talent of our event professionals network to create a unique VIP experience for our guests.
« I hired Jeremy Weinglass to play before the wedding, for the ceremony (processional/recessional) and for the cocktail hour. He and his wife, Kim, were a pleasure to work with. He has great connections with other fabulous musicians and was able to hire a cellist to accompany him for the ceremony music and they sounded beautiful together. I wanted to surprise my husband and asked if Jeremy would play a couple special songs during the cocktail hour and he was happy to oblige. Jeremy is a true professional that I admire and would recommend to any bride in need of live music.” » – Debbie S., Bride

PANDEMIC PIVOT

Throughout the 15 months that live events were on pause in California, we shifted our focus to what we could do online from home. We released music videos every week on YouTube, did live stream shows three times per week on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook, and released new music on streaming platforms. I recorded a Christmas album: Home for Christmas that we released on all the streaming platforms for the 2020 holiday season. And, the summer of 2021, I released a new album Perfect Piano Wedding. I also performed for virtual events and taught a handful of students over Zoom. 

«I have met and listened to many young up-and-coming contemporary pianists, but Jeremy Weinglass really stands out! Not only as a dynamic performer but, as an important new voice in original piano composition. Jeremy is a talent to be reckoned with! »

– David Lanz, pianist and composer

PASSIONS AND ORIGINAL MUSIC

I am really passionate about music theory and love talking about it and getting others excited about it. It’s my favorite thing to teach when working with students. I love composing and having a project or assignment that pushes me to create something new. My original compositions are classically influenced and I describe much of my original work as melodic, modern classical. I relish in combining my music with other forms of artistic expression such as dance, film or TV. My original compositions have received placements on TV and I am pursuing more of that. Kim and I also enjoy creating unique performances that combine my music with aerial, fire, pole or other modern dancers.
« Working with Jeremy on his “Odyssey” has been one of the highlights of my producing career. Arranged for piano and violin (expertly performed by Chris Woods), “Odyssey” takes the listener on a 12-month cycle that is infused with lyricism and inspiration. Contemporary romantic piano music has never been more relevant and touching than in the way Jeremy successfully blends musical flavors evocative of the classics while weaving together modern flavors into an absolutely timeless canvas that connects with our deepest sensibilities. Jeremy, while still young, follows in the footsteps of some of the great romantic composers of the 19th and 20th century. His music is self assured yet unpretentious, powerful yet never bombastic, intricate yet always tasteful. Foremost it is always inspired and sincere.» David Bergeaud, composer and producer (producer of ODYSSEY album)

WHAT MOTIVATES ME

I consider music a powerful tool I possess for lifting people up and bringing positivity to the world. Music truly is a universal language and it has the ability to reach people on a deep, emotional level. I have a natural ability to infuse my playing with a lot of emotion and I love being a conduit for people to get in touch with their feelings that may be lingering below the surface. Having the opportunity to provide the music for those pivotal moments in life like walking down the aisle to get married or grieve the loss of a loved one is an honor. Sometimes it may be as simple as putting a smile on someone’s face because I played their favorite song. I try not to take even those small things for granted because I know I am blessed to have a profession that impacts people in a personal way and in essence gives them permission to feel.

« Jeremy Weinglass is a talented musician with a genuine love for music and people. He has not only captured my attention with his wonderful music, but with his compassion for those less fortunate. He is a Big Brother, a friend to many and a brilliant pianist. He would give you the shirt off of his back without hesitation. He is professional, great to work with and his beautiful melodies will touch your heart and stay with you. Jeremy is unforgettable. He is someone to definitely have on your team, as a coworker, colleague, employee and friend.»

– Anessa Birkemeier, Director of Special Events at The Ebell of Los Angeles

PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

In addition to bringing joy to people through music, I strive to find ways to add to the greater good in the world. The accomplishment that I’m most proud of both creatively and from a philanthropic perspective was our production called Odyssey. Based on my original music from the album of the same name, Odyssey was an hour long live music and dance production featuring 7 dancers, a violinist and myself playing piano. We performed to a sold out audience of 360 people at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood in 2011. Kim and I produced the show ourselves and donated 100% of the net ticket sales to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles. Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that has been near and dear to me since I was a child when I met my Big Brother, Scott. Growing up without a father, Scott was an instrumental positive influence in my development and remains so to this day. I later became a “Big” myself and have continued to look for ways to contribute to an organization that gave me so much.

«Jeremy, Congratulations and thank you for the deep inspiration we all experienced that anything can be done when you follow your heart and soul. I am deeply moved by the way you and Kim have taken your ideas and passions and made them into a beautiful experience that included your community to help a cause so close to you. I am blown away how the power of love and spirit between you and Kim and your amazing cast, can bring about such a great event on so many levels. This was more than a show it was an example of how love and dedication raise the frequency of life. Your speech was straight from your soul and it was like meeting you in your greatest self all over again. You knocked oudda da friction park mate. Great job. I am sooooo proud of you!»

– John Vitale, Founder, Focus at Will

PUBLIC SPEAKING

I was invited to a Toastmasters meeting in 2013 to hear a friend’s speech and wound up joining the club. Initially, I thought about improving my speaking skills to enhance my impact as a performer. I dove into it, joining multiple clubs, competing in the International Speech Contest 4 times (winning in the Area Contest 3 times) and in 2018 I earned my Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM). Speaking has become another passion of mine and in recent years I’ve been forging a path as a professional speaker, incorporating my music to deliver “Keynote Concerts.” My aspiration is to reach larger audiences and combine my love of music and speaking to inspire, uplift and open people’s hearts.

« Highest possible recommendation for Jeremy Weinglass as a keynote and motivational speaker for your next event! His combination of motivational speaking mixed with music makes him a popular favorite of audiences of all kinds. Want a successful event? Jeremy will help you bring it on home!»

– Linda C.