Bennett Roth-Newell

CREATIVE ARTS DIRECTOR, MUSIC INSTRUCTOR

Bennett Roth-Newell is a pianist, composer, educator, hip-hop emcee, studio musician, recording artist. He began at the Riekes Center as an athletic fitness student training for basketball and soon thereafter was involved in the music department and community services, recording his first album at the Riekes Center recording studio and teaching piano lessons to other students. After completing a bachelor's degree in jazz studies at Sonoma State University and a masters degree in jazz studies at San Jose State University, he taught music at the high school, community college, and four-year university levels and also returned to the Riekes Center in 2013 as a part-time music instructor. Bennett has been the Creative Arts Director at The Riekes Center since 2016 and continues to further his passion for teaching and mentoring through music.