Toby Koenigsberg is the Associate Professor of Jazz Piano and Associate Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Oregon, and a Specially Appointed Guest Professor at Shikoku University in Tokushima, Japan. He received his Master of Music degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music and pursued graduate study in classical piano at the Peabody Conservatory. While attending Eastman he received the Schirmer Award, given to the most outstanding graduate Jazz performer in a graduating class.

A critically acclaimed recording artist for the Origin and Ninjazz record labels, Koenigsberg has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Koenigsberg is published by the Jazz Education Journal and by JazzED magazine. He has presented at the annual conference of the International Association for Jazz Education, the Royal Academy of Music in London, England, the Shenyang Conservatory in Shenyang, China, and at universities throughout the United States.

Since 2013, Koenigsberg has led the effort to create and implement new curricula in popular music at the University of Oregon, including courses in songwriting and degree concentrations in Popular Music Studies. The Popular Music program is the fastest growing one at the School of Music and Dance, and in less than two years is already one of the largest.

Email: tobyk@uoregon.edu

Hi!! My name is Emeline Thomas (pronounced Emma-Line, but you can call me Emmie if you want to!), my pronouns are she/her/hers, and I’m the 2024 FIG assistant for Pass the Mic! I was in Pass the Mic my freshman year, and I found that it made my transition into college a lot easier. It was great to meet a couple of people who were similar to me right off the bat.

I’m originally from Tampa, Florida, but I’ve lived all over the United States. I first moved to Eugene in my Junior year of high school and found that it was unlike any place I’d ever been. I was head over heels in love with it!

In the fall, I’ll be a second year student and getting my BS in Spatial Data Science & Technologies. Music has always been a very important part of my life, arguably the most important part. I currently play 4 instruments, but I’ll probably be on my 5th by the time you meet me!

In my free time, I love watching movies, hiking, and playing video games. I’m full of recommendations for all three, so feel free to reach out! I’m so excited to get to work with the incoming class of 2028, and can’t wait to meet you all! <3

Email: etho@uoregon.edu