Ben Raznick, M.Ed is a pianist, composer, producer and educator with a global perspective having trained in the United States, Argentina, Brazil and Spain. He is passionate about enriching the next generation of musicians through leadership, mentorship and education. Raznick is the President-Elect of CSMTA (Colorado State Music Teachers Association), President Emeritus of DAMTA (Denver Area Music Teachers Association) and a five-time recipient of the Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher Award.
In Raznick’s tenure as DAMTA President, he spearheaded the formation of the association’s first Vice President of Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI), an elected board position committed to promoting appreciation and increasing awareness of DEI in the study and performance of music. Since DAMTA’s creation of this position in October 2020, Raznick provided guidance for developing a VP of DEI (now Representation and Advocacy) on the state and national levels, CSMTA and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
A Dual Member of the Recording Academy and Latin Recording Academy, Raznick serves as the Secretary on the Executive Committee of the Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Board. Raznick's leadership work inspired him to seek his Doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity from CU-Denver (2027).
His albums include Tango y Folklore Argentino (2010), Memory Maze (2016) and Birds of a Feather (2021). Winner of The American Prize, Birds of a Feather showcases Raznick’s dedication to combining technical skills with emotional storytelling. Raznick's composition "Barcelona Tango-Rag”, a piano & castanet duet with Ludovica Mosca, was published by Ars Viva Editorial in Barcelona as part of a collection of New Castanets Repertoire.
In 2025, Raznick was signed to PARMA Recordings as a coproducer with Dr. Leah Claiborne of a landmark project that highlights the impact of Black artists on contemporary classical music. ARISE & SHINE, Piano Music by Black Composers for Kids is the first volume in a landmark multi-album series, bringing together 10 leading Black classical pianists to perform iconic works by influential Black composers of the past century, alongside powerful pieces by living composers.
Jump Rope & Diving | Boulder
Raznick's childhood can only be described as unique. His participation on the Skip Its, a local competitive jump rope team, took him on journeys across the US and world to places like Puerto Rico, Canada, Belgium & Denmark to perform, teach and compete. By the age of 16, Raznick was a jump rope US Grand National Champion and 2x World Champion. Watch two gold medal freestyle performances on Raznick's Birds of a Feather Film. You might have seen Raznick jumping rope in the basketball halftime shows of the CU Buffs, Denver Nuggets, & NBA All Star Game. He was featured in Boulder's Daily Camera, Colorado's 9 News and ESPN's National Jump Rope Championship coverage.
As a teenager Raznick transitioned his acrobatic skills into diving, setting two diving records before graduating Boulder High School. He achieved a scholarship to University of Wisconsin-Madison where he lettered, set a 5-meter platform record and competed in the Big 10 Championships. Raznick's Boulder High records still stand, and you can see his name on the record board in the swimming pool of North Boulder Recreation Center.
Teaching & Film | Spain & Colorado
In 2010, Raznick accepted a two-year position in Spain as a public school English teacher. While abroad, Raznick and friend Eve Richer co-created a nine-episode comedic web series called Pueblo chronicling the adventures of an English teacher (played by Raznick) in small-town Spain. The final installment, filmed in Barcelona, won a film festival award and features two of Raznick's compositions.
In 2012, Raznick returned to Colorado and earned his teaching license and Masters in Education. Raznick taught in Boulder & Denver public schools before opening his piano studio and serving from 2018-2021 as 2nd Vice President, and 2021-present as President of the Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA). Raznick has also serves on the Advisory Council for Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA).
Spotlight Foundation & Lázaro Project | Nicaragua & Denver
Raznick cofounded and serves as President of Spotlight Foundation, a Denver based non-profit working as a conduit for communities to support local charities and international organizations doing great work. After meeting and developing a partnership with Lázaro over the years following a 2004 Amigos organization visit to Nicaragua, Lázaro Project became an official initiative providing educational supplies, supplemental meals and health initiatives for students in Nicaragua.
Albums | Buenos Aires, Barcelona & Denver
While busy with many projects, Raznick has never lost sight of his musical aspirations. He recorded his first album Tango y Folklore Argentino (2010) in Buenos Aires, his second album Memory Maze (2016) in Barcelona, and his third album, Birds of a Feather (2020) in Denver. Support Raznick by purchasing his music and feather merchandise at Raznick's store.
Raznick's childhood can only be described as unique. His participation on the Skip Its, a local competitive jump rope team, took him on journeys across the US and world to places like Puerto Rico, Canada, Belgium & Denmark to perform, teach and compete. By the age of 16, Raznick was a jump rope US Grand National Champion and 2x World Champion. Watch two gold medal freestyle performances on Raznick's Birds of a Feather Film. You might have seen Raznick jumping rope in the basketball halftime shows of the CU Buffs, Denver Nuggets, & NBA All Star Game. He was featured in Boulder's Daily Camera, Colorado's 9 News and ESPN's National Jump Rope Championship coverage.
As a teenager Raznick transitioned his acrobatic skills into diving, setting two diving records before graduating Boulder High School. He achieved a scholarship to University of Wisconsin-Madison where he lettered, set a 5-meter platform record and competed in the Big 10 Championships. Raznick's Boulder High records still stand, and you can see his name on the record board in the swimming pool of North Boulder Recreation Center.
Teaching & Film | Spain & Colorado
In 2010, Raznick accepted a two-year position in Spain as a public school English teacher. While abroad, Raznick and friend Eve Richer co-created a nine-episode comedic web series called Pueblo chronicling the adventures of an English teacher (played by Raznick) in small-town Spain. The final installment, filmed in Barcelona, won a film festival award and features two of Raznick's compositions.
In 2012, Raznick returned to Colorado and earned his teaching license and Masters in Education. Raznick taught in Boulder & Denver public schools before opening his piano studio and serving from 2018-2021 as 2nd Vice President, and 2021-present as President of the Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA). Raznick has also serves on the Advisory Council for Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA).
Spotlight Foundation & Lázaro Project | Nicaragua & Denver
Raznick cofounded and serves as President of Spotlight Foundation, a Denver based non-profit working as a conduit for communities to support local charities and international organizations doing great work. After meeting and developing a partnership with Lázaro over the years following a 2004 Amigos organization visit to Nicaragua, Lázaro Project became an official initiative providing educational supplies, supplemental meals and health initiatives for students in Nicaragua.
Albums | Buenos Aires, Barcelona & Denver
While busy with many projects, Raznick has never lost sight of his musical aspirations. He recorded his first album Tango y Folklore Argentino (2010) in Buenos Aires, his second album Memory Maze (2016) in Barcelona, and his third album, Birds of a Feather (2020) in Denver. Support Raznick by purchasing his music and feather merchandise at Raznick's store.
"Pueblo" the Series - Watch Episodes 1-8, 2010-2011
About Ben Raznick, M.Ed:
Experience:
Pianist, recording artist, composer, producer, filmmaker & teacher with 25+ years experience
10+ years experience public school teacher & educational counselor
Doctoral Candidate, Leadership for Educational Equity, CU-Denver (2027)
Masters in Education, Colorado State Teaching License, Regis University
BA in Spanish Language and Business Certificate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2019-2020 Affiliate Faculty: Metropolitan State University's DIME-Denver - Class Piano I, Group Performance Instruction I & II (Piano), Music Theory I, Music Theory Lab I
2015-2022 Denver Public Schools Guest Teacher
2013-2015 Denver Kids, Inc. Educational Counselor
2011-2013 Spanish Public School English Language and Culture Assistant (Andalucía & Catalunya)
Awards:
2024 Leadership Award from Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
2023 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Community Engagement Grant (DAMTA 2024 Student Musicale Celebrating Black History Month)
2023 Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) Local Association Grant (DAMTA 2024 Student Musicale Celebrating Black History Month)
2022 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Teacher Enrichment Grant (Taubman Approach Independent Study)
2022 Local Association of the Year (DAMTA) from Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) (Raznick served as DAMTA President)
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher - Profile on Steinway & Sons Teacher Directory
2021 The American Prize Winner in Arts Marketing
2021 The American Prize Finalist in American Music, Soloist division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Professional Solo Piano Performance division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Composers (Instrumental Chamber Music) division
2018 Alpha Sigma Iota awarded "Friend of the Arts"
Community Engagement:
2026-2028 President: Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
2025-2027 Secretary & Executive Committee: Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Board
2024-2026 President-Elect: Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
2022-present Corresponding Secretary: Boulder Federation of Music Clubs (BFMC)
2023-2024 Vice President for Teacher Enrichment: Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
2023-2025 Governor: Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Board, CoChair DREAM Committee (24-25)
2021-2024 President: Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
2021-2024 Advisory Council: Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
2018-2021 2nd Vice President (Newsletter), Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
Membership:
Recording Academy, GRAMMYs® Voting Member
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Boulder Federation of Music Clubs (BFMC)
MusicLink Foundation
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Experience:
Pianist, recording artist, composer, producer, filmmaker & teacher with 25+ years experience
10+ years experience public school teacher & educational counselor
Doctoral Candidate, Leadership for Educational Equity, CU-Denver (2027)
Masters in Education, Colorado State Teaching License, Regis University
BA in Spanish Language and Business Certificate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2019-2020 Affiliate Faculty: Metropolitan State University's DIME-Denver - Class Piano I, Group Performance Instruction I & II (Piano), Music Theory I, Music Theory Lab I
2015-2022 Denver Public Schools Guest Teacher
2013-2015 Denver Kids, Inc. Educational Counselor
2011-2013 Spanish Public School English Language and Culture Assistant (Andalucía & Catalunya)
Awards:
2024 Leadership Award from Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
2023 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Community Engagement Grant (DAMTA 2024 Student Musicale Celebrating Black History Month)
2023 Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) Local Association Grant (DAMTA 2024 Student Musicale Celebrating Black History Month)
2022 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Teacher Enrichment Grant (Taubman Approach Independent Study)
2022 Local Association of the Year (DAMTA) from Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) (Raznick served as DAMTA President)
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher - Profile on Steinway & Sons Teacher Directory
2021 The American Prize Winner in Arts Marketing
2021 The American Prize Finalist in American Music, Soloist division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Professional Solo Piano Performance division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Composers (Instrumental Chamber Music) division
2018 Alpha Sigma Iota awarded "Friend of the Arts"
Community Engagement:
2026-2028 President: Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
2025-2027 Secretary & Executive Committee: Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Board
2024-2026 President-Elect: Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
2022-present Corresponding Secretary: Boulder Federation of Music Clubs (BFMC)
2023-2024 Vice President for Teacher Enrichment: Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
2023-2025 Governor: Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter Board, CoChair DREAM Committee (24-25)
2021-2024 President: Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
2021-2024 Advisory Council: Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
2018-2021 2nd Vice President (Newsletter), Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
Membership:
Recording Academy, GRAMMYs® Voting Member
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Boulder Federation of Music Clubs (BFMC)
MusicLink Foundation
American Educational Research Association (AERA)