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 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 also serves as the Secretary on the Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the DREAM Committee on the Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter board. This work inspired Raznick 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. He was signed to PARMA Recordings producing a groundbreaking project of piano music by Black composers including pieces recorded and released for the first time.
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.
