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AAPF Bios
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Adamcova, Andrea is a 1998 graduate from the Janácek Academy of Music in Bmo, Czech Republic, where she earned an M.M. in Piano Performance and a Teaching Certificate. In May 2000, she completed an M.M. in Piano Performance at the Univ. of North Texas (UNT) under Adam Wodnicki. She has taught piano in the UNT Community Music Program, The Academy of Fine Arts in Lewisville, TX, and the Backstage Music School in Southlake. She recorded two CDs with the UNT Wind Symphony and performed at the 66th Annual Convention of American Bandmasters Association in Austin, TX. Andrea was a piano instructor and accompanist at Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri and has toured throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Adams, Andrew is an Assistant Professor at Western Carolina University where he is Director of Keyboard Studies. He earned the Bachelor in Piano from the Kansas City Conservatory where he was a student of Joanne Baker. He has a Master of Music in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying from the University of Illinois. In April 2005, he completed his Doctorate in Piano Performance at the University of Colorado at Boulder where he was a student of Robert Spillman. From 2003 to 2006 Dr. Adams served as Vocal Coach and Director of Collaborative Piano at Iowa State University. He has appeared in solo recitals throughout North Carolina and the Southeast.
Argento, Frank is a graduate of the Hartt College of Music, University of Hartford in Connecticut, where he majored in music education and piano. Frank and his family moved to Asheville, having spent 22 years in Alaska, where he and his wife helped establish a small Christian school. He currently teaches at Veritas Christian Academy, Christ School, and the Asheville Music School. He serves as principle organist and pianist at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brevard. Frank has a solo piano album of Christmas music released Fall 2007.
Baird, Marguerite Ford, known as "Marge," is a retired psychologist and a long-standing student of jazz piano. To date, all of Dr. Baird's instruction has been in California and Arizona. In California, she studied at the Jazz School located in the Arts District of Downtown Berkeley, working with the school's director, Susan Muscarella. In Arizona, Marge was introduced to some of the main jazz standards while playing in a college combo. Now she looks forward to continuing jazz studies here in Asheville.
Baunach, Will is a past President of the Asheville Area Piano Forum. He has been a dedicated pianist since childhood. After a career in high-tech, in the 1990s he took further music studies at Portland State University where he subsequently taught piano. Today he teaches using an innovative lab-based approach combining computers, keyboards, and pianos.
Belcher, Deborah has taught at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and The Cleveland Institute of Music. A recipient of arts council and university performance grants, Dr. Belcher has performed, adjudicated, and led master classes and seminars throughout the eastern U.S. and in Canada. She teaches privately, at UNCA, and performs regularly. She says: "I am constantly appreciative of and renewed by the wonderful people who entrust me with speaking to their minds and hearts through the piano. This interaction about our inner journeys through music fascinates me. The combination of inspiration, fulfillment and play that are available to music lovers of all ages through the piano is both my motivation and gratification in teaching and performing."
Bennett, Marcia has a B.S. from Brigham Young University, Utah, and an M.S. from California State Hayward. She did further graduate study at the University of California, Berkeley. She holds five lifetime CA teaching credentials. Now retired after teaching thirty years, Marcia substitutes in local schools and tutors remedial reading and math. Her special interest is in teaching beginning pianists, young and old. She’s not particularly interested in recitals, but will prepare for performance.
Best, Joanna Boyd, a soprano, grew up on the coast of North Carolina. She received a B.A. in music from Davidson College in 1995 and M. Mus. from Appalachian State University in 2000. Joanna has continued private and specialized vocal studies since that time. She has a particular passion for Balkan folk singing, and a recent passion for the music of Kurt Weill. Joanna teaches music for Buncombe County Schools and Hanger Hall, and performs with the ethnic folk rock ensemble Jibblin' the Froline.
Boland, Patrick is a piano instructor, composer, and performer. He teaches all ages from 6 up and specializes in jazz and improvisation. Patrick holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theory and Composition with postgraduate studies in jazz and classical performance. His studio is situated in East Asheville overlooking the Swannanoa River. In 2002, Patrick moved to Asheville from Austin, Texas, where he was co-founder and director of the 3 Muses School of Fine Arts. His web site is pboland.com and his CDs are available at patrickboland.com/
Boyd, Adlai is a retired research psychologist and presbyterian minister who developed and chaired the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Adlai is one of eight siblings, all of whom learned to play and love the piano. He enjoys writing, serving the Asheville Choral Society, improvising on the piano, and celebrating music with his wife, Karen, at their Montreat home, "Sussurando." Adlai was awarded a lifetime membership to AAPF for obtaining the Forum's non-profit status, and he ably assists Karen in her many Forum duties and activities.
Boyd, Karen teaches piano at Harmony Lane Piano Studio at her home in Montreat, NC. She works with students of all ages and levels, and teaches Music for Little Mozarts classes which are designed to give children ages 4 to 6 an early start in classical piano instruction through fantasy and play. Karen currently serves as Performance Chairperson for the AAPF, and was a founding member of AAPF. She holds piano performance degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and West Chester University, and was awarded a full-tuition scholarship for doctoral work at Rutgers University. Her major instructors include Arthur Dann, Robert Bedford, and Theodore Lettvin. Karen concertizes as soloist, accompanist, and with chamber music ensembles.
Bury, Dick moderates a small music performance group which has presented concerts at the UNCA Reuter Center. Dick's career was largely in university teaching and research, specializing in park management. He has a B.S. in Forestry from Purdue, an M.S. in Conservation from Yale, and a Ph.D. in Resource Economics from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Bury and his wife Ann have lived in many parts of the U.S. and retired to Asheville in 1986 after living in Nuremberg, Germany for three years. Dick comments: "I want to meet other pianists for sociability and inspiration, listen to performances, and perhaps perform myself. I'm an amateur, started at age 13, am now 77, and have practiced and played most of those years."
Camp, Scott, past president of AAPF, has degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (BA in philosophy,) the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston (BM in jazz piano, MM in jazz composition), and further graduate study in theory/composition at the University of Iowa. Scott is pianist and music director for the New Hope Presbyterian Church in south Asheville. Whether teaching music fundamentals with children, or jazz piano with adults, his teaching approach strives toward the goal that "a piano lesson should be more like a tennis lesson, and less like an instruction manual."
Cann, Kimberly moved to Fletcher when she was 6 and her first formal teacher was Kathryn (Tregre) Hilliard. Her family moved to FL shortly after her first solo recital at age 12. By 16, she had already performed as a guest soloist with four orchestras in the US and was soon to win her first national competition. Kimberly has taught over 200 students in her career thus far, many of whom have gone on to win competitions and receive scholarships. After earning a Masters Degree from the Eastman School of Music in 2006, she was visiting professor of music and Artist-in-Residence at Northern Caribbean University (JA) for two years. She has also served as an adjudicator for student competitions is also the Director of Music at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Asheville.
Clark, Bill, current AAPF President, studied piano from the ages 16 to 19. He received his B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University, TX. Bill spent three years in the U.S.A.F. and thirty-five interminably boring years in business. He says: "My passions in life are academic and artistic; music, books, ideas, old movies, motorcycles, and martinis. Apart from my family, my best and most reliable friends in life have been my library and music collection, both of which have grown beyond all reasonable bounds in the last forty years. Like a young kid with his comic book collection, I am proud to say that I still own the first classical vinyl LP that I bought in 1961. Highpoint in my musical life was meeting Arthur Rubinstein."
Cobb, John, a semi-finalist in the Third Van Cliburn Piano Competition, has played solo and chamber concerts extensively in the U.S. and Europe. A student of Claudio Arrau, he has conducted master classes and seminars around the country, continues his national concert-playing, and maintains a piano studio locally. About his musical life, Dr. Cobb says: "From childhood I have had many interests, but the most enduring one has been music, especially the piano and its literature. My musical life has largely been about learning what musical greatness consists of, how to develop it in myself and hopefully interest students in it. Performing is hard for me, but it also conveys the thrill of flying. It constitutes my single greatest effort at transcendence."
Cohen, Lesley has been a supporter of print music and a resource for music teachers in Western North Carolina throughout her thirty and a half years at Dunham's Music House. She has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from UNC-Asheville, and she has worked in the Children’s Room at Pack Library for several years before starting at Dunham’s. One of her brothers is a percussionist, and her sister is a lyric soprano and cantorial soloist. Their grandfather was a cantor, radio orchestra, and composer. "I am not a musician, but I am an appreciative and enthusiastic audience member — someone every performing musician needs!"
Dawkins, Garnell, born in the Bahamas into a musical family as a "guitar case" baby, has been playing the piano since she was 6. At the age of 12, she was classically trained under a professional jazz/classical teacher at the Adler Center located in Libertyville, Illinois. At 17 she moved back to the Bahamas and started her own non-profit organization promoting talent, putting on shows, and teaching piano. She has played at wine tastings, art shows, weddings, festivals, and fine dining restaurants. Her most gratifying job was teaching music at Every Child Counts, a special education school. In August 2009, she moved to Asheville, NC to go to school, broaden her musical background, and get involved within the community.
Dettra, Philip is a former faculty member of the School of Music at Penn State where he performed regularly. While at Penn State, he produced and performed in several public television programs featuring French piano music. In addition to some private teaching, Philip works principally in residential design. He is also Director of Music at Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, NC.
Dixon, Suzanne is a native of Asheville and received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Mars Hill College in 1977. In addition to accompanying the UNCA Community Chorus and the Asheville Symphony Chorus she has served several area churches as an organist/pianist. Suzanne is currently a Suzuki Piano Basics instructor and enjoys working with young children.
Fehr, Suzan moved from Louisiana to Asheville in 1975. She received her musical education at Our Lady of the Lake University, Texas Western, and Louisiana State University. She is an active member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and currently teaches piano from her studio in West Asheville.
Feitzinger, Polly has degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Columbia University. She also spent two years studying piano and harpsichord at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. In addition to a performing career, Polly has given pedagogy workshops and has had articles published in leading music magazines. She has taught in a number of private schools in New Jersey and New York. She is a founding member of the Asheville Area Piano Teachers Forum, the precursor of the AAPF.
Fiedler, Ben joined the AAPF as a fourteen year old student at Carolina Day School (Fall 2008) and piano student of AAPF member Karen Boyd. After attending Interlochen Music Camp in the summer of 2008, his interest in playing the piano has grown much stronger. He also plays travel team soccer and the saxophone. So it's challenging finding as much time to practice piano as he wishes he could!
Freeman, Anita studied at Peabody Conservatory of Music and Catholic University. In addition to teaching private flute and piano lessons, she is an active performer and a registered music therapist. Recordings on which she has performed include Feline Reflections by Nalini, featuring original piano compositions blended with vocals provided by her cats, and Biltmore Estate Christmas, Vol. II. Anita is also a church organist.
Gaughan, Warren J. is Music Department Chair at Warren Wilson College, where he teaches and performs in two genres: classical and jazz. He has a B.A. from Maryville College, an M.A. from UNC-Greensboro, and a D.M.A. from Arizona State, where he studied with Rayna Barroll-Aschaffenburg and Robert Roux. Dr. Gaughan also studied with Jeanine Dowis and Sheila Page, has attended Jamey Abersold workshops and studied jazz piano with Keith MacDonald, Jack Coker, and Mary Lou Williams. Warren has played as a member with the Asheville Symphony, played live on WCQS (Asheville), and as jazz pianist with The Asheville Gentleman and Picante, which performs locally and in NC public schools.
Harper, Jan has a Piano Performance degree from Wesleyan College, Macon, GA. She was taught by Eastman and Juilliard graduates and won three first place awards in high school and college. Specializing in classical music and preparing students to perform, she has been teaching piano since 1978. Jan also has many years of experience accompanying for church services, choirs, and ensembles.
Hayward, Anna Haun was Associate Professor and Director of the Graduate Piano Pedagogy Program at Georgia State University. Dr. Hayward has also served on summer music festival faculties for the U. of Illinois, the Breckenridge Colorado Music Festival, and the Musique Session Internationale in Grenoble, France. Sponsored by Alfred Music, she has given piano pedagogy workshops in the US, England, Malaysia, and Australia, and has also performed throughout the US, Micronesia, England, Germany, France, and Austria. She was awarded the "Master Techer Certificate" in Piano by MTNA (1995). She enjoys preparing students for a career in piano performance and/or piano pedagogy as well as teaching students wanting to pursue their passion for learning.
Ingram, Beth recently relocated to the Asheville area from Rock Mount, NC to be near family. As a young student, she studied with Nina H. Overleese in Tyler, Texas. She performed in numerous concerts and competitions, winning first place in the TMTA Piano Concerto Contest. Beth attended High Point College and UNC-Greensboro. She has been a church organist and accompanist for children’s choirs, has raised two wonderful sons, and has thoroughly enjoyed teaching students from ages 4 to 84 for 35 years.
Iogha, Frank began early music studies at the Eastman School of Music, private study with Mme. Isabelle Vengerova in NY City and at Juilliard with Mme. Rosina Lhevinne, where he earned a B.M. and M.S. He then toured throughout North America as a solo pianist, orchestra soloist, and as pianist with Leonard Rose, cellist, and other distinguished artists. He has appeared in concerts in 47 states and major cities of the U.S., Mexico and several provinces of Canada. Frank has combined teaching and performing careers at Iowa State University and the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York. His performances have been broadcast over National Public Radio. In 1995, he was a recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Jaffe-Melissas, Jenna was born in Philadelphia and raised in California. A cum laude graduate of UCLA Santa Barbara (BM Vocal Performance) she was also accepted into MM programs at N.E. Conservatory. A teacher of voice and piano for 17 years, she includes theory, composition, improvisation, and technique, and specializes in working slowly and gently with students having learning differences (dyslexia, AAD, ADHD and developmental disabilities (Autism, Downs Syndrome, brain damage.) Jenna has managed a restaurant and directed music in churches. She performs locally singing and playing piano, recorder, and Celtic drum and is working on her first CD, “Sacred.” She lives with partner, three sons, and many cats in a historic home in West Asheville.
Jeter, Kevin, born in New Jersey in 1961, has been a Tuner-Technician since 1980. He studied under James Wooten, former Piano Technician for the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and Director of Artist Services for Yamaha. Kevin moved to Western North Carolina in 1984 and currently services about 150 pianos in Buncombe and surrounding counties. He is the official Piano Technician for the Asheville Music School.
Johnson, Mary, a founding member of the AAPF, graduated from the University of Michigan School of Music and taught music education for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Since moving to Asheville in l982, she has taught piano, has been Music Director at UNCA Belk Theatre, has accompanied shows at Asheville Community Theatre, and has recently taught music at Hanger Hall School for Girls. Presently, Mary assists with Children's Choir of First Presbyterian Church and performs with a woodwind ensemble.
Jutras, Fern and her husband Ed retired from the retail hardware business about three years ago, and moved to Asheville in 2003 from upstate New York. She took piano lessons from the age of 8 through college, and is glad to be actively practicing once again, currently studying with Dr. John Cobb. She and her husband have one son, Peter, who teaches piano and piano pedagogy in Dallas, Texas.
Keener, Jo Anne began teaching in Illinois in the early sixties when her own children were ready for piano lessons. At that time Robert Pace was giving workshops about his new piano series. She became "hooked" on his approach, which led to her own analysis of what best procedure to use with beginning piano students. Thus began a never-ending trial with various methods, coming to realize that a teacher uses many methods. Jo Anne still continues to find great joy in teaching and plans to teach a few students when she and Bob are settled in at Givens Estates.
Kicklighter, Sammy was born and reared in South Georgia where he grew up on a farm. His county had no music, but he chose to major in voice and church music, and spent twenty plus years in church music. Sammy learned to tune pianos in college, thirty years ago. He moved to Brevard and now tunes, moves, rents, and sells used pianos and a new line of pianos.
Kim, Hwa-Jin began piano at 5, performed at MBC Television Station in Daegu, South Korea at 7, and appeared as a soloist with the Daegu Symphony Orchestra at 14. She has won numerous competitions. She graduated from Seoul National University, and later received Master's and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from Manhattan School of Music, where she also taught. She has performed in Korea, Italy, and the U.S., including the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. After moving to the Asheville/Hendersonville area with her husband, Dr. Paul S. Kim (MD) and their two children, Grace and Kristie, Dr. Kim has been featured as a soloist in many concert series. She joined the music faculty at UNCA in January 2003.
Kincaid, Susan has a BM in Piano Performance from Winthrop, and an MM in Piano Performance from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has done post graduate piano studies at U. Michigan-Ann Arbor. From 1984-2001 she was Executive Director, Sherwood Conservatory of Music, Chicago. In Charlotte, NC she was a semi-retired piano teacher 2002-2006.
Mandle, Bill began piano when he was 8. He attended Baldwin-Wallace College (B.S.M. & B.M.), Teachers College, Columbia University (M.A.), and Case Western University (Ph.D.). He taught vocal music in the Ohio public schools from 1949-1969 and music at the college level from 1969-1997 in Indiana and Washingon, D.C. Bill came to Asheville in 2003. He has taught four music courses at the UNCA College for Seniors since the Summer of 2004.
Mason, Allen hand built three concert grands during the years 1970-1990 for international artists under the name of Mark Allen, for which he achieved worldwide acclaim. Skills and experience stemming from this background now flow into grand piano restorations in his Black Mountain shop. Pianists well known to professional musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Gary Graffman, Paul Badura-Skoda, and Cyprien Katsaris are just a few who have praised Allen’s expertise. He now does tuning on a limited basis along with rebuilding keyboard actions and complete restorations, including new sounding boards, his proudest specialty.
Mason, Martha received her Bachelor of Music in Piano and Composition from Western Kentucky University. Since then, she has taught both piano and composition to numerous students, including children and adults. She continues to teach today. Martha's love of nature has played a big role in many of her compositions, including her popular "Smoky Mountain Suite." Her wide variety of compositions, from "A Dinosaur Day Suite" to her Poetry at the Piano books, have captured the imagination of students and teachers alike and have been featured in Clavier magazine. Many are also on the National Federation List. Recently she was chosen to be Artist-in-Residence at the Rocky Mountain National Park.
McCollum, Carol took piano lessons for six years as a child. In 1997 she began as an adult student with Polly Feitzinger. She is currently on the boards of the Asheville Symphony and the Asheville Area Center for the Performing arts, and is a past president of the Symphony Guild and the Asheville Choral Society. Her husband Hugh and she have lived in Asheville since 1978. Prior to moving to Asheville, she was a buyer at Lord and Taylor in New York City.
McDonald, John Paul retired from the faculty of UNCA in 2005 after having taught French and Humanities courses there for two decades. His degrees are in French: B.A. from Manhattan College, M.A. from Brown University, and Ph.D. from the University of Paris. Prior to his teaching at UNCA, he taught at prep schools and colleges in New England and in the Philadelphia area. In a previous incarnation (i.e., as a boy) he took piano lessons for three or four years, then drifted away. He supposes that taking lessons now in retirement (from AAPF member John Cobb) is a test of belief in reincarnation or simply a triumph of hope over experience.
McIrvine, Edward is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. After studying piano and clarinet in his home town, McIrvine decided at age 14 not to become a professional musician. Instead, he earned a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Cornell and had a career in research management, academic administration, and consulting. In his spare time, Dr. McIrvine was President of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, for which he hired David Zinman as Music Director. In retirement he resumed piano study with Joseph Werner in Rochester and Content Sablinsky in Charlottesville, VA. Since early 2001 he has written Arts Spectrum, a weekly Sunday column on the arts in the Hendersonville Times-News. He also reviews musical events for Classical Voice of NC.
McKnight, Virginia has degrees from Stetson University and Florida State University. She is a professional accompanist playing for Mars Hill College, Western Carolina University, and the Asheville Lyric Opera as well as in many musical theatre productions. She is the organist and music director at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Asheville.
McLean, Jackie started piano lessons at age 9 and studied through age 17 in Chester, NJ. She then continued her musical education at Montclair State College, NJ where her studies included the Suzuki Method. Jackie also attended Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, where she became certified in Kindermusik. After teaching at Studio 46 and Dryburgh Music School for over a decade in Hackettstown, NJ, she relocated to Leicester, North Carolina in early 2003. Jackie teaches in the student’s home using a variety of methods and has yearly recitals.
Meulenberg, Lula is thankful to God and her parents for being able to begin piano lessons at the age of 6. She became church pianist/organist at twelve and started teaching piano, organ, and kids' choir. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 1980, and began teaching school. In 1982 her family moved to North Carolina, and in 2004 they purchased Asheville Music and Art, where she continues to love teaching piano.
Mofson, Sheila is a retired piano teacher, having taught in the Syracuse, NY area for about 35 years. She has a Masters Degree in Music, with a concentration in voice from Ithaca College. Prior to that she attended Music and Art High School in New York, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Math Education from Brooklyn College in 1959.
Nussbaum-Borden, Ruth E. currently maintains a private studio in Asheville and is the NCMTA Mars Hill/Asheville District Contest Chair. She has a BM from Wittenberg University (WU) in piano performance, and has studied with Janet Lehman, Sara Estrada Fletcher, William Walters, Robert Howat, Robert Wynne, and Gabriel Chodos. She was on the faculty of the Center for Musical Development, and staff accompanist for the School of Music at WU. Ruth has also served as rehearsal pianist/coach for the Springfield Civic Opera Company and has performed widely in the US. She was piano instructor and duo coach of the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, as well as in the Extension Division (Adults) from 1985-1996.
O’Farrell, Elsa is a classically-trained pianist who loves to play chamber music, especially with violinists and other stringed instrumentalists, but doesn’t enjoy the stress or pressure of performing. She teaches a couple of handfuls of students, just enough to enjoy them. She also teaches class piano at UNCA. Elsa enjoys living in the country and being at home as much as possible with her horses, donkey, dogs, cats, and husband.
Owenby, Shane is a registered piano technician, member of the Piano Technicians Guild, musician, former music teacher, and a collector of vintage and antique pianos. He grew up playing an organ in his living room and trombone in the school band. By the time he reached college, he had a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After Shane received his BM he and a friend opened a music school in Cary, NC, near Raleigh. When heand his wife had a son, they decided to move back to their hometown of Asheville, where their families live. Searching for a change, Shane sought out a nationally recognized piano technician and apprenticed for two years, learning piano restoration, refinishing and repair that his mentor had acquired over several decades.
Paine, Betty is a dormant amateur pianist who is rediscovering the joys of playing the piano since moving here from Colorado two years ago. She enjoys music, writing, art, reading, hiking, and volunteering for several cultural organizations. She traded her double bass for a violin when they retired, but as yet she just looks at it periodically.
Park, Hyekyung (Rosa) received her BA in Piano Performance from Sungshin Woman's University in South Korea, and a Masters of Science in Music Therapy from Radford University in Virginia. As a piano teacher, performer, music therapist, and church musician, Rosa has been sharing her joy and appreciation of music with students from diverse backgrounds and abilities for many years. She states that "it has always been exciting to see an improvement in students' confidence through musical experiences." Her students perform in recitals on a regular basis as soloists and in duets and other ensembles. Gift and advanced students as well as individuals with special needs are welcome.
Parker, Anne has degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has done postgraduate work in Aix-en-Provence, France. Anne is a staff accompanist for the Music Department at Mars Hill College. She is also an active performer in the Asheville area, performing both solo and ensemble works at First Baptist Church in Asheville.
Ramig, Virginia studied piano as a major for two years at Queens College in Charlotte, NC. She then transferred to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. She majored in composition and completed the degrees Bachelor of Music and Master of Music at Eastman. Virginia is married to engineer and baritone singer George, and she is mother of two scientists, Jeanne and Keith. After 55 years of teaching piano and other musical subjects, Virginia retired in 2007.
Reese, Vance studied the Robert Pace method and Keyboard Arts method from his piano teacher, Lois Goeltz, in Knoxville before studying organ. He has three degrees in organ, the last one being a doctoral degree from Indiana University in 1997. Dr. Reese plays organ, double bass, and harpsichord. He mostly accompanies and/or collaborates on piano, though he has a few students. Vance lives with this wife Jean and son Jonathan in Westwood, West Asheville.
Rhodes, Judy has a degree in Piano Performance from Converse and has pursued graduate studies in Performance and Piano Pedagogy. Her students have won recognition at USC's Southeastern Piano Festival, Piano Clinics at Converse, FSU Piano Clinic, and our AAPF Piano Competition. Judy is the children's choir director at Grace Episcopal Church. She is also a fluid songwriter. In April 2000, Judy performed at the Dalai Lama's "World Festival of Sacred Music" in Bangalore, India, with Count Clovis. Judy observes that music is a "sacred, powerful gift that can open our eyes to new things. It can silence the violent and stir up the soul to action. Music has the ability to help us see ourselves in each other, no matter what culture we hail from."
Riley, Cathy teaches piano, folk guitar, and pre-school music, emphasizing composition and song-writing. She sings her own sacred music compositions at Unity Café, Asheville, and The Wisdom Center, Black Mountain, and directs a sacred music choir at St. George's Episcopal Church. Cathy has created choral works for Womansong and music for Lisa Sturz' Red Herring Puppets. She says, "Music is my way of being most fulfilled in this world - music is my way of being here and feeling most connected with my inner Self. Singing, composing songs, performing them and teaching music are all long-time focus points of my life. These gifts bring me great joy!" Web site: www.life-o-riley.com
Robertson, Donna Nagey, professor emerita of keyboard and theory at Mars Hill College, is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Eastman School of Music, and is an Associate of the American Guild of Organists. She was on the founding board for the International League of Women Composers and was a founder of the former Mars Hill-Hinshaw choral series. Donna, an active concert organist, accompanist, and chamber pianist, is also a published composer.
Rodwell, Judith, pianist and vocalist, has a Bachelor degree in Musicology and has spent three decades teaching piano and voice to students of all ages in New England and WNC. Combining Suzuki techniques and repertoire with traditional pedagogy, she particularly enjoys teaching piano to the very young. Judith teaches in the Asheville and Hendersonville area and has experience serving on our AAPF Board. Judith has taught preschool music, as well as K-8 music in the public schools, and has accompanied and directed church choirs. A soprano soloist, choral singer, and accompanist, she has given piano and lieder recitals and enjoys performing jazz standards with her husband.
Rogers, Anne has lived in Asheville with her husband John and family since 1971. She has an active piano studio in downtown Asheville. One of the founding members of AAPF, Anne is also founding member of the Asheville Choral Society, and has sung with the chorus since 1977.
Rowney, Harry C. was born and raised in New York City in a family where music was a natural part of his family environment. After a career in Wall Street, he retired and moved to Asheville, having discovered the city on a trip to Greensboro, where his daughter attended Guilford College. Harry had studied piano three years as a child, and much later began study again after listening to his daughter’s piano lesson in Boston. Piano and arts in general have become important in this stage of his life. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Asheville Art Museum, is comfortable in Asheville, but regularly visits London to enjoy its exceptional musical palette.
Ruiz, Michael J. was born and raised in Camden, NJ. He started piano at age 12, self-taught for most of his first eight years. Later, while earning his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at the University of Maryland, he studied classical piano with Stewart Gordon and jazz piano with Ron Elliston. Dr. Ruiz has taught in the UNCA Department of Physics since 1978, serving as Department Chair from 1980 to 2000. His online teaching website has been featured on CNN. During the 1990s, as a self-taught composer, he composed three piano concertos for his three children, who in turn performed them as soloists with the Winston-Salem Symphony. He gets piano coaching tips from his friend and AAPF member Frank Iogha.
Saladukha, Elena was born in Minsk, Belarus. At the age of fifteen she graduated from the music school of Mr. Aleksandrov and at seventeen she moved to the United States. Elena graduated from UNC Asheville with a double major in Interantional Economics and Pure Math. Currently she is enrolled at UNC Asheville taking accounting courses for CPA certificate. She has a piano studio consisting of 21 students with ages ranging from 4 to 22. She organizes a semi-annual piano recital to give every one of her students a chance to perform.
Sams, Karen earned her Bachelor’s Degrees in Cognitive Psychology and Piano Performance at Oberlin College and Conservatory, and her Masters Degree from Peabody Conservatory. She taught at Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore, MD for 12 years before returning home to her native Asheville in 2006. She recently opened SoliClassica, a Classical and instructional music store with print music, books, CDs and teacher's aids, on Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. Karen has had a private studio for 2 decades and enjoys teaching beginners through advanced students, children through adults. Many of her students have gone on to conservatories and into careers in music. Besides playing solo, Karen also enjoys making music with others, as a chamber musician and accompanist.
Schroeder, Gail Ann began piano at 6 and has in the past 10 years started sharing her love of piano by teaching children and amateur adults. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the U. of MI and a "First Prize" and "Higher Diploma" from the Royal Conservatory of Music, Brussels, Belgium. Renowned as an expert on the early string instrument viola da gamba, she has just returned from 25 years performing and teaching throughout Europe. Her teaching experience includes 14 years at the Brussels Conservatory as assistant professor of viola da gamba, director of the viol consort and professor of pedagogy. Gail teaches piano and viola da gamba in her East Asheville studio and is training to become a practitioner of the Alexander Technique.
Schwartz, Ina teaches piano in West Asheville and is Music Director and Organist at St. George's Episcopal Church. Her mother was her first teacher. Ina majored in piano pedagogy at North Greenville Junior College and Furman University. She has been organist at a number of churches in Spartanburg, SC and Asheville, and was assistant organist at All Souls Church for a number of years.
Scott, Ed acquired his love of piano music from his grandmother, who was also his first teacher. He managed many years later to memorize and play Chopin’s Second Ballade. But his grandmother also listened to the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday afternoon radio, and this led him eventually into singing with the Ithaca Civic Opera in New York. While teaching philosophy, he always managed to participate in musical events. In his first recital he sang Schubert’s Winterreise, with Lora Scott as accompanist, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Schubert’s death, in a concert at Warren Wilson College.
Scott, Lora, a founding member of AAPF who studied piano from kindergarten through high school, then organ and voice in college, has a Master's degrees in Religious Education and in Music. She was a social worker and a DCE/organist/choir director in Virginia, and soloist with the Ithaca Civic Opera and Turnau Opera in New York. Since coming to the Asheville area Lora has been soloist/section leader in the Cathedral of All Souls choir, music faculty member at Warren Wilson College, recitalist, and accompanist for violin and voice recitals. Mostly retired now, she enjoys teaching Kindermusik and a few piano students, and gardening organically on an old tobacco farm in Madison County.
Shirley, Nathan is a classical composer and pianist, who at the age of 21 was a winner in the Andrzej Panufnik International Composers' Competition. Since then his original compositions have won several other international awards. Mr. Shirley has performed his own piano music in Europe and the US. In 2005 he began accepting commissions for new music, and has since written for musicians around the world. Mr. Shirley's music is available at NathanShirley.org. He has taught private piano to over 60 students, and has worked with hundreds of public school children, introducing them to many musical instruments, leading them in group performance, teaching the science of sound, and exposing them to classical masterpieces through active listening.
Shulman, Richard is a keyboardist, composer and recording artist. Bringing beauty into the world is his passion. Richard has performed at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, Art Park, the United Nations, the Kool Jazz Festival, The Amenia Peace Festival and a wide variety of other venues throughout North America and Europe. He tours doing solo and group concerts and has produced twenty-one albums on his label, RichHeart Music. His COVR award-winning orchestral recording, "Camelot Reawakened: A Vision Fulfilled" is based on the fulfillment of dreams of the heart. His best-selling album, "Light Music: To Clear and Align the Chakras" is recommended for massage, healing and relaxation. His latest CD is "Music of Peace," reflecting the peace within.
Smithey, Pamela is an Allen Organ and Steinway Piano Sales Representative for Case Brothers in Spartanburg, SC. She is also a substitute organist and free-lance accompanist. Pamela was a Staff Accompanist for Gardner-Webb University for 6 years and taught piano and organ lessons for 20 years. She has served as an adjudicator for piano competitions and festivals throughout the Carolinas. Her degrees include a BM in Piano Performance from Mars Hill College and a MM in Piano Pedagogy from the University of SC. Pamela is a member of the American Guild of Organists, Organ Historical Society, International Who is Who among Musicians, Who is Who among American Women and the Spartanburg Philharmonic Music Club.
Stackhouse, Eunice Wonderly, Associate Professor of Music at Montreat College, holds a D.M.A. from the U. of Kansas, and M.M. from Indiana University where she was also elected to Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. She has performed extensively in both solo and chamber recital settings, and adjudicates frequently. She has presented lecture-recitals at conferences, and her solo piano recitals have been recorded and broadcast by WQED-Pittsburgh and Radio Kansas. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and is a state officer for NCMTA. Her article on Louise Talma’s Soundshots was published by Clavier in 2002. She also edited the first publication of Talma's Three Bagatelles (Hildegard Pub. Co., 2003).
Sullivan, Judy is an active piano teacher and accompanist in the Asheville area. Joining the AAPF in the early 1990s, Dr. Sullivan has served on the Board of Directors for five years, as President for three years, and Member Activities Chair for two years. Her education degrees are from James Madison University, the University of Virginia, and the College of William and Mary.
Sumpter, Teresa is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at Mars Hill College. She graduates in December 2008 from the University of Oklahoma with a Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in piano pedagogy. She also has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Ball State University. a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Ohio University, and a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia University.
Taylor, Melanie, Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, holds degrees in Piano Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Marshall University, and the Doctor of Music in Piano Literature and Pedagogy from Indiana University. Dr. Taylor is the pianist for Ensemble Radieuse, a flute, oboe, piano trio, performing with them on three continents. She is an active clinician for MTNA organizations, featured as the guest clinician for the Vermont MTA at the state conference in 2004. And she loves the mountains!
Thorpe, Paul, born and raised in St. Louis, began learning piano at age 6. While in Junior High, he became a church choir accompanist and later, a church organist in high school. After receiving his B.S. in Music Education from the University of Missouri, he taught band (grades 5-12) outside of St. Louis. From there he went to Arizona State for a Masters in Music Education, which led to his teaching high school band in Boulder for four years. Upon moving to Asheville, Paul taught strings in the Roberson district and for the KIPP Academy. Eight years ago he acquired the Asheville Music School, where he currently teaches piano. He is excited about the new location for the school, behind the Orange Peel in downtown Asheville. www.ashevillemusic.org
Turner, Brian is a pianist, teacher, composer and recording artist in Asheville, NC. Equally proficient in classical, jazz, pop and church music he performs concerts throughout the US both as a soloist and with various groups. His compositions have gained worldwide attention through internet radio play and he is currently finishing his debut solo piano album. Brian runs a piano studio of 40 students, is Associate Music Director at Etowah UMC and is on the AAPF board. He did his Bachelor and Master degree work in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Ohio University under the tutelage of Richard Syracuse and MTNA President Gail Berenson. For upcoming performances, streaming music and more, visit www.btkeys.com and www.myspace.com/brianturnerpiano.
Watkins, Nan is pleased to be reviving her lifelong interest in piano after retiring as reference librarian at Western Carolina University. She holds degrees in German literature from Oberlin College and Johns Hopkins University and studied piano at the Academy of Music in Vienna. She has experimented with electronic music, and is playing organ at St. David's Episcopal Church in Cullowhee. Her passion for travel and travel writing has led her to memorable musical performances on five continents.
Weaver, Jane offers instruction in classical and vernacular styles for piano, violin, and cello in her Weaverville private studio. She offers seminars in harmonics and geometry, performs chamber music for weddings and celebrations, and addresses learning blockages. Jane has been Instructor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy under Frances Clark, New School for Music Study and on the music faculty at Princeton University and Westminster Choir College Conservatory. Mother of two home-schooled daughters, she is a Certified Brain Gym Consultant, swing/contradance fiddler for Reel Magnolias, and a quilter. Jane's photo was taken on the deck of the summer home of Louise Goss and Frances Clark, noted piano pedagogues.
Weiser, Daniel comes to Asheville from Vermont, where he was on Dartmouth's music faculty. Co-founder and Artistic Director of the chamber music organization Classicopia, and founding member of the Adirondack Ensemble, he also co-founded with violinist Tim Schwarz the Upper Valley Duo that served as the 1996 US Artistic Ambassadors Abroad. Weiser has participated in the New Hampshire Music Festival, Musicorda, and the Apple Hill Chamber Music Festival, and has been the Music Director of the Da Corneta Opera Ensemble, the Opera North Young Artist program, and Opera New England. A native of Buffalo, NY, he has a Doctorate in Piano/Chamber Music from the Peabody Conservatory, and lives with his wife and their twin daughters.
Weiss, Barbara has performed extensively on harpsichord in the United States and Canada. Previously, she has served on the faculties of the University of Miami, the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Concordia College and the Oberlin Conservatory. Weiss is a member of the Baroque ensemble Belladonna and has performed on a number of recordings.
Zentner, Sara, born in Salt Lake City, Utah, began piano study at age three. As a senior in high school she taught piano. Receiving a piano scholarship to the University of Utah, she trained in Piano Pedagogy, and earned the Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. In 2002 Sara became Suzuki certified, and moved to Asheville in 2006. She continues to teach piano privately and at the Asheville Arts Center to 20 students, and attends summer Suzuki Institutes for Teacher training. As a 2008-2009 AAPF board member she is in charge of student recitals. Sara also studies Suzuki cello with Frances Duff.
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