Russell Hornung
About
What's up! I'm an alumnus from the music education department at the Frost School of Music in Miami, Florida. It has always been my intention to get the full experience as a performing musician to better serve the ambitions of my students. Currently my most involved projects are touring nationally with the jam band, "Tand," and locally in Miami with a funk band called "Cheesecake." Through my involvement with various ensembles and classes over the years, I've become deeply interested in all things music theory, jazz improvisation, composition, band leading, brass techniques, piano techniques, and more. If you're interested in any of the above, let's connect!
Teaching Style
In my lessons, I hope to find the "why" for the student as they pursue music, and use that as a launching point towards a successful journey in learning the instrument. If we know the why, that will help us approach working on the student's strengths and weaknesses. After all, knowing why helps us find how we experience joy through playing!
Credentials & Affiliations
Bachelors in Music Education, Frost School of Music
Now a newly graduated student from the Frost School of Music, Russell balances his professional career between Florida and Massachusetts, with plenty of stops in between. In January 2026, he joined forces with the South Florida jam band, Tand, in hitting the road across the Eastern United States. Though primarily taking the role as a keyboardist, he also contributes his sound to the band as he simultaneously plays the trumpet in live performances. Russell has taken lead in many major projects through his years in Florida, most notably with Cheesecake, a 7 piece funk fusion band blending the virtuosic performances of Frost alumni. This band released an album in 2025, Live at Weeks Recording Studio, and went on an album release tour through Massachusetts. Cheesecake has taken a step back from live performances to focus on their upcoming album, Save Me A Slice. Russell also co-runs small form jazz ensembles through the east coast with members from this band, including Nolan Slate on Saxophone and Kodi McKean on drums. These projects have recently allowed Russell to pursue extended keyboard techniques using foot pedals and synthesizers. He continues to hold ties with Boston by playing with a rock band under the name The Spit.
Russell Hornung graduated with a degree in music education at the University of Miami, a long sought after pursuit since 9th grade of high school. When COVID hit in 2020, Russell premiered a brass band summer program for 3 years, allowing young musicians to enjoy music making at a safe distance outdoors. In college, he studied with esteemed professionals, including the latest trumpeter of the jazz messengers, Brian Lynch, as well as Etienne Charles, Don Coffman, Jay Rees, Cynthia Kohanek, Christine Napoles, and many others. The program has allowed Russell to pursue his passion for K-12 education at a professional level, working in internships through Miami-Dade county and music summer programs in New England, including Camp Encore/Coda in Maine and the Rivers Conservatory in Massachusetts. Additionally, he spent 2 years in school as an active member of the Beta Tau chapter of Phi Mu Alpha and the Frost Band of the Hour.