Dimitri Nassar is a pianist and composer whose music and mission are rooted in the cultural legacy of East Cleveland, Ohio. Introduced to the piano by his father, a professional tuner, Dimitri grew up immersed in sound—eventually studying at the Cleveland Music School Settlement, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and later under the mentorship of jazz educator Cliff Habian.
His performances have taken him to some of the region’s most respected stages, including Blues Alley, An Die Musik, and Treelawn Music Hall, as well as major festivals such as Tri-C JazzFest, DC Jazz Fest, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Dimitri’s trio has shared energetic performances across the East Coast and earned finalist honors at the Chick Webb Jazz Competition.
Beyond the stage, Dimitri is a lifelong educator who has taught more than 1,000 pianists and leads Crescent Piano Studio and Black Keys Matter Incorporated. His work centers on elevating the voices of African and African American pianists through performance, education, and community engagement.