About Jérôme Bitz
Jérôme Bitz is a Pittsburgh-based multi-instrumentalist and composer whose musical journey is a testament to perseverance and the serendipitous opportunities that arise from dedication to one’s craft. His path to becoming a versatile musician has been shaped by a combination of curiosity and the incredible fortune of studying with a series of talented mentors who appeared at pivotal moments in his career.
From an early age, Jérôme’s love for music was evident. He began singing with his sister and joined his elementary school choir, where his perfect pitch was discovered. Though he dreamed of playing the harp as a child, practical and economic considerations led him to the flute, which became his gateway to the world of music. In high school, his band instructor recognized his natural aptitude for learning instruments and Jérôme quickly expanded his skills to include the oboe and tenor saxophone.
Jérôme’s journey was marked by a series of fortunate encounters with extraordinary teachers. In his twenties, he studied the violin with Linda Meuret, concertmaster of the Helena Symphony in Montana, and later with Lisa Leicht. When he returned to college at Shippensburg University, he found himself under the guidance of Margaret Lucia for piano and Tony Lucia, retired concertmaster of the San Diego Symphony, for further violin training.
In Jéróme’s thirties, his musical exploration deepened. He taught himself the viola, continued his piano studies and began experimenting with electronic music, building a home studio to craft original compositions. This period marked the beginning of his interest in blending traditional instrumentation with modern soundscapes.
In his forties, Jérôme finally realized his childhood dream of playing the harp. Starting with an inexpensive Irish lever harp, he progressed to professional lessons on an Salvi lever harp, eventually mastering the full-sized pedal harp under the guidance of Julia Ann Scott. Today, he performs on both a Salvi Diana pedal harp and a Camac Big Blue electro-acoustic harp, seamlessly integrating the harp’s ethereal tones into his compositions.
Jérôme’s studio setup reflects his passion for exploration. It features an array of gear, including (but in no way limited to): a Roland JUNO, a Dave Smith Instruments Prophet Rev2, a MOOG Etherwave Theremin, and a board stocked with Walrus Audio effects pedals. His creative process is further enhanced by a Native Instruments controller – powered by Logic Pro X – and enriched by the Native Instruments Ultimate pack.
Jérôme’s story is one of curiosity and an unwavering commitment to his art. Through a series of fortunate encounters and a relentless pursuit of growth, he has developed a unique and deeply personal musical voice. Now Jérôme is eager to collaborate with filmmakers and commercial creators, offering his expertise in crafting unexpected, resonant scores. His ability to play a wide range of instruments allows him to create music that elevates storytelling.
Studio Management
Kiki
Kiki hails from Kuwait and began collaborating with Jérôme in late 2022. She manages his instruments from harp to piano (sound board, especially, though also surfaces), synths and effects pedals, applying rigorous testing of wiring with her teeth and an enthusiasm for broken instrument strings rarely seen amongst support staffers in other studio settings.
She is not available on social media nor via website for lack of thumbs (or interest).
Tati
Tati is a Pittsburgh native and has been overseeing the Hieronym studio since 2021. Her main area of focus is ensuring quality control over the playing of all instruments. Her verbal approval is almost as valuable as her frequent reprimands
While Kiki does not know it, she is actually Tati’s direct report. Confusion over this hierarchy causes some tension but their efforts to iron out their working relationship shows dedication.