School of Music Faculty
Gerson Yessin
Professor Emeritus, Piano
Dr. Gerson Yessin was the founding chair of the Music Department and Professor of Music at the University of North Florida, where he served from 1971 until his retirement in 1998. A distinguished pianist and educator, Dr. Yessin devoted his career to performance, music education, and the development of music programs in Jacksonville and beyond.
Born on January 25, 1929, in Malden, Massachusetts, Dr. Yessin began his professional performing career at the age of 17 with the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler. He went on to concertize extensively and appeared on numerous nationwide television programs. He performed more than 35 times with the Boston Pops and appeared as a soloist with major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony.
Dr. Yessin was the first pianist to receive two Olga Samaroff Grants. His recording career included a recording of Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion with Leopold Stokowski, nine albums of piano solos for the National Federation of Music Clubs, and numerous recordings of piano compositions. He also presented piano-teacher workshops throughout the United States, including at national and regional music teacher conventions. His international activities included a concert at Leopoldskrone Palace in Salzburg, Austria, and a two-week Chopin Seminar sponsored by International Workshops.
As an advocate for music education, Dr. Yessin received an Award of Merit from the National Federation of Music Clubs for the promotion of American music. He was voted Distinguished Professor of the Year by his colleagues and was invited to serve as a Visiting Professor of Music at Florida State University.
Dr. Yessin played a foundational role in the development of higher education music programs in Jacksonville. He was the founding chair of the Music Department at Jacksonville University in 1959 and later became the founding chair of the Music Department at the University of North Florida. During his 27 years at UNF, he served on at least 20 university committees and founded and coordinated the UNF Council of the Arts. His appearances on local radio and television programs also supported various local organizations.
Following his retirement from UNF in 1998, Dr. Yessin continued to devote his time to music, teaching young promising children to play the piano. His career reflected a lifelong commitment to piano performance, music education, and the development of music programs and cultural opportunities in Jacksonville.
Dr. Yessin received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the Juilliard School of Music and his Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University. He passed away on January 25, 2017, at the age of 88 in Jacksonville, Florida.
The University of North Florida School of Music honors Dr. Yessin’s legacy as the founding chair of its Music Department and recognizes his longstanding contributions to music education, piano performance, and the cultural life of the Jacksonville community.