Biography

Drene Ivy began playing the piano at the age of 4 and began formal training in piano at the age of 5; by the age of 8, he was
skillfully playing classical compositions by Beethoven. He studied
piano techniques and theory at the Cleveland Music School
Settlement and studied classical music at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

While still a junior in high school, he was awarded a Scholarship to Durham College in North Carolina where he studied percussion and composition and was a student in the Eastern Music Festival Youth Orchestra in which he skillfully played the timpani (kettledrum). He also studied music at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, OH. By the age of 21, he had performed on six albums.

Drene Ivy served as musician for many years at his home church, Pentecostal Church of Christ, where his gifted musical skills were honed. He was inspired by his pastor, the late Bishop Charles Watkins to pursue his talent in the contemporary music realm. Drene Ivy was an instructor of jazz composition and techniques and piano theory for the Houston Board of Education as well as instructor of Jazz History at Cleveland State University.
Drene Ivy has composed over 200 songs. His compositions are comprised of a wide range of genres including inspirational, gospel, classical, easy listening, jazz and Latin jazz. His music is published under G Sharp Sonata. Drene Ivy is also
an accomplished playwright. His current work, “Saved” is a musical drama for the Easter season spanning from Biblical antiquity to modern church times.

In August 2005, his song composition entitled “Worship The King” was selected and presented at the Gospel Music Workshop of America National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Since 2004, Drene Ivy has appeared as guest clinician at the famed Edwin Hawkins & Walter Hawkins Music & Arts Seminar where he served as staff clinician teaching keyboarding performance.

Four CD’s are available at: www.amazon.com and www.cdbaby.com/dreneivy2
Paradise
We Reverence Your Name
With These Hands
Suonata D’Amore
The Best of Drene Ivy (To be released Oct. 2007)
Website: www.dreneivy.com email:
info@dreneivy.com (216) 798-4488
P.O. Box 221377 Beachwood Ohio 44122