Elliot Sneider, composer, pianist and musical director, deftly crosses musical genres and roles. With his thorough training in theory and composition, he brings a deep understanding of musical mechanics to whatever he does, from conducting a pit orchestra to playing in one. At the same time, he possesses serious improvisatory chops, well-honed after years of working as a jazz pianist and playing with some of New York's most well-regarded jazz, African and indy bands.

Sneider began his musical career playing in big bands and musical theater productions in his native Syracuse, N.Y. He then went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Jazz Composition from New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he discovered many other worlds of music including modern classical composition and Klezmer music. He worked with different ensembles performing and writing new music. One highlight was and putting together a performance of Terry Riely's "In C" with an unique mix of jazz and classical performers for the NEC Imrpov Festival 1999. From 2002-2004 he earned a Masters degree in Composition and Music Technology from New York University. During these years he saw his modern classical compositions performed at New York's Lincoln Center and NYU's Black Box Theater.

He has served as musical director and conductor of such shows as "A Chorus Line," "My Fair Lady" and "A Little Night Music". His "Full Monty" won Best Music Direction and Best Musical of the Year at the Syracuse Area Live Theater Awards in 2006. Sneider's extensive theater experience most recently includes his work as music director for the Rhapsody Players and musical director, conductor and pianist on productions such as "A Little Night Music" and "Mame" for Brooklyn's Paper Moon Players and Narrows Community Theater. He is currently in the progress of composing an original musical, "The Butcher of Plainfield".

Sneider's compositions have appeared on both the big and small screens. He has scored seven films, including two by award-winning directors: Roey Herzog's "The Neighbor" (2004) and Sean Donnelly's "Captain Splash" (2003). He composed the score for "Brando From The Neck Down" for Fraternal Artists featuring violinist Joe Davoli. In addition, his compositions have been used on the IFC Channel's original series 'The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman' and The Style Network's "The Brini Maxwell Show."

Sneider's own work includes two independently released albums. His 1999 "Dusty Cover" is a collection of jazz and blues piano improvisations and compositions. "I'd Hug You But We've Got Umbrellas" of 2006 is a collection of original songs performed by Elliot and friends including Yaeko Miranda (violin) and Ryan Hobler (guitar). He currently plays with the postmodern folksikana trio Sunroom and the afrobeat band Asiko, and is also music director of the Rhapsody Players.