James Uzzi is a dedicated music educator and mentor with a distinguished career in music education. Mr. Uzzi is the former District Music Chairman of the South Country Central School District having retired in 2020 after teaching there for 33 years. During his tenure as a music educator and administrator, he helped elevate the district's music program to national recognition, with the district being named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. His work in curriculum development, performance ensemble direction, and arts advocacy has had a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the communities he has served.
Always active in Long Island music education, Mr. Uzzi has held the positions of Treasurer and Suffolk Secondary Vice-President for the Long Island String Festival Association, Membership Chairman of the Suffolk County Music Educators Association, and is a Past-President of the Suffolk Chapter of the NYS Council of Administrators of Music Education. Mr. Uzzi is the current NYSSMA Zone 14 Representative for Suffolk County as well as the Long Island West/NYC Student Teaching Facilitator for the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.
Throughout his career, Mr. Uzzi has been known for his strong communication skills, collaborative leadership style, and passion for music education. He is a respected mentor to both novice and veteran teachers alike, and his legacy includes generations of students who have gone on to careers in music education, performance, and the arts.
Mr. Uzzi is a proud graduate of the Crane School of Music, receiving his Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1987.