Performers
The AAPF provides this list of member performers for the convenience of its membership and for visitors to our website. The Piano Forum does not require background checks for its members on this list, nor does it make any special recommendation as an organization for the performers found on its membership.
William Bares
Phone: 345-521-3739
Email: wbares@unca.edu
Web Site: baresmusic.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: UNC-Asheville
Offering Piano Lessons for: College Students
Teaching Styles: Jazz
Performers’ Occasions: Recitals, Jazz Events
Address: Asheville
William Baunach
Bio: Will Baunach 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.
Email: willbaunach@yahoo.com
Phone: 828-687-9075
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Arden
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical
Address: Arden
Dr. Deborah Belcher
Bio: Dr. Deborah Belcher holds degrees in piano from Winthrop University, Indiana University and Michigan State University, and has performed as recitalist and collaborative pianist throughout the Eastern U.S. and in Canada. She has appeared as soloist with the Blue Ridge Symphony, the Converse College Chamber Orchestra, the Elmhurst Symphony, the Sammartini Chamber Orchestra and the Windermere Chamber Orchestra. Her solo & chamber music performances have been heard in public radio broadcasts throughout the Midwest and the Southeast. She is a member of the music faculty of UNC Asheville and is in demand throughout the Southeastern states as facilitator of the “Instant (Pop) Piano for Hopelessly Busy People” seminar. Dr. Belcher developed an affinity for the music of Latin composers including Astor Piazzolla, became an aficionado of Argentine tango and sometimes performs tangos joined by dancers on stage.
Email: deborah.belcher@icloud.com
Phone: 828-230-7343
Website Address: deborahbelcher.com &/or https://www.facebook.com/AshevillePianoExperience/?ref=bookmarks
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Hendersonville, Weaverville, Black Mountain, Canton, All of Western NC, WNC & upper SC
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical, Popular
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Music History. Piano Pedagogy.
Address: Asheville
Matt Blanks
Bio: Matt Blanks originally hails from Olney, Maryland, and taught and performed in the Chicagoland area for the last 10 years. A graduate of Peabody Conservatory and Baldwin-Wallace University, he has appeared as a young artist with Opera Southwest, Tri-Cities Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Chicago Opera Theater. Most recently, he held positions as Director of Music/Organist at Calvary Episcopal Church in Batavia and Adjunct Professor of Music at both North Park and Dominican Universities.
Phone: 301-221-0068
Email: matt.blanks.tenor@gmail.com
Web Site: SoaringSounds.as.me
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Weaverville, Marshall
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Adults
Offering Other Lessons for: Voice
Teaching Styles: Classical, Jazz, Popular, Religious
Performers’ Occasions: Accompanist, arranger-for-hire
Address: Alexander
Judith Burganger
Bio: Having taught over 35 years as a tenured Professor, over 40 years as private piano teacher and performed on three continents as soloist with major symphony orchestras, I recently moved to beautiful Asheville and enjoy teaching a few pianists who seek artistic as well as advanced technical input. I have been ranked Professor Emerita at Florida Atlantic University and am a former 1st Prize winner of piano competitions in Europe as well as in the USA. A more detailed bio is on Wikipedia and older recordings are on YouTube.
Email: jburganger@comcast.net
Phone: 828-505-0412 and 561-706-0707
Website Address: Wikipedia and YouTube: Judith Burganger
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Teaching online during the pandemic
Offering Piano Lessons for: Intermediate, Advanced
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, PEDAGOGY
Address: Asheville
Kimberly Cann
Bio: Kimberly is a mother of two toddlers; wife of a double bassist & self-taught master of many trades; Eastman-trained professional concert pianist; sister of concert pianist Michelle Cann; director of Piano Lab Studios; and President of the AAPF 2012-2014 and 2017-2018. She loves Asheville and plans to retire here...but that's a long time from now. :)
Email: kcann98@gmail.com
Website Address: PianoLabAsheville.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Hendersonville, Weaverville, Black Mountain, Canton, All of Western NC, Fletcher
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical, Jazz, Popular, Religious
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Composition, Voice, Strings, Percussion
Benjamin Caton
Bio: Emeritus Professor Benjamin D Caton taught for 46 years in the Department or Music at East Tennessee State University. He earned these degrees: BSME, ETSU; MA and PhD, The Ohio State University. Caton served as President of Music Teachers National Association from 2011-2013. Awards include MTNA Foundation Fellow, MTNA Distinguished Service Award, MTNA Teacher of the Year Award, ETSU Distinguished Service Award, Phi Mu Alpha Signature Sinfonian Award. Currently teaches piano in the ETSU Pre-College Program and is adjunct professor of piano and piano pedagogy at ETSU.
Email: caton@etsu.edu
Phone: 423-928-2478
Studio/Store Location, Serving: ETSU at Johnson City, TN
Offering Piano Lessons for: College and Pre-College
Teaching Styles: Classical
Address: Johnson City, TN
Elizabeth Child
Bio: Elizabeth Child holds a DMA in piano performance from The Juilliard School. She teaches classical piano and theory to all levels at her studio in Tryon NC, and often performs in the Asheville area. You can contact her through her website at www.elizabethchildpianist.com.
Email: mechild@windstream.net
Phone: 828-817-4627
Website Address: www.elizabethchildpianist.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Tryon, NC and Landrum, SC
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Elementary, Middle/High School, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical
Address: Tryon
John Cobb
Bio: An international performer and recording artist, Dr. Cobb did post-doctoral study with legendary pianist Claudio Arrau. The New York Times praised his "solid technique, bronze tone and flexibility of interpretive style." While completing a Doctor of Music degree at Northwestern University, Dr. Cobb held a fellowship at the University of Chicago, where he pursued doctoral studies in musicology. He performs a broad repertoire of solo and chamber music, is a frequent performer on the Piano Forte series at the Asheville Art Museum and appeared as soloist with the Asheville Symphony, performing the Samuel Barber Piano Concerto. Dr. Cobb frequently serves as an adjudicator for competitions and music festivals.
Email: jcobbpiano@gmail.com
Phone: 828-551-3810
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Fairview and Hendersonville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginners through Advanced, ages 10 through Adult; coaching for professionals
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Composition, Voice, Mrs. Cobb (Gwenn) is a singer/voice teacher
Other Music Related Services: Arrau Technique training: using relaxation and body leverage in playing.
Address: Fairview
Roger Cousins
Bio: Roger Cousins NEC (1974), UConn (1979), Public school Music Education (40yrs). Formed “Nite Lite” Band (1976- pres) performed from Mid- Hudson NY to Fl. Clubs, functions, weddings etc. Retired 2013 to NC mountains. Ready to play Classical Piano again. Specifically interested in 2 piano 4 hands repertoire.r
Email: rfcousins@gmail.com
Phone: 828-557-2540
Address: Hayesville, NC
Leslie Downs
Bio: Dr. Leslie Downs is active as both a solo and collaborative pianist. He has performed in solo, lieder, chamber and choral concerts throughout the United States and in Canada. He has served as music director for regional musical theatre productions. For 16 years he worked as a freelance pianist/teacher/vocal coach in New York City. He currently serves as the Music Director for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. He holds degrees from Centenary College of Louisiana, Yale University, and University of Oklahoma.
Email: lgdowns721@gmail.com
Phone: 828-775-3539
Website Address: LeslieDowns.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Black Mountain
Offering Piano Lessons for: Intermediate, Advanced, Middle/High School, College, Adults, Lessons in your home
Teaching Styles: Classical, Popular, Religious
Other Music Related Services: Vocal Coaching
Address: Asheville
Victoria Fischer Faw
Phone: 336-263-7013
Email: fischer@elon.edu
Bio: VICTORIA FISCHER FAW, NCTM, D.M.A., Professor Emerita at Elon University, is a pianist, teacher, and scholar whose musical passions include the full range of piano solo and collaborative repertoire, teaching young teachers to teach piano, and mentoring undergraduate musical research. Recent honors include being named 2021 North Carolina Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year, MTNA 2022 National Teacher of the Year, and MTNA Foundation Fellow for 2022. Her scholarship and performance activity includes a specialty in the music of Béla Bartók. She won first prize at the 1990 Bartók-Kabalevsky International Piano Competition and has published and presented many articles and programs to local, state and national music teachers on Bartók and other musical topics. Dr. Fischer studied at Centenary College of Louisiana, UNC-Chapel Hill, UT Austin, and the Vienna Conservatory. Her teachers include Constance Knox Carroll, Danielle Martin, David Renner, Amanda Vick Lethco, Martha Hilley and Elliott Antokoletz. She is active in NCMTA and MTNA, and lives on a Christmas tree farm in Sparta, NC with her husband, Steve.
Studio/Store Location, Serving: All of Western NC, Alleghany County
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Lessons for: group, virtual
Other Musical Related Services: Performances, presentations, masterclasses, consulting
Address: Sparta
Polly Feitzinger
Bio: Degrees from Oberlin Conservatory (Bach. of Music), Columbia University Teachers College (Master of Arts) with 2 years additional study at Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Career includes lecture-recitals, articles on piano pedagogy in leading music journals and competition adjudication.
Email: pollyfeitzinger@gmail.com
Phone: 828-713 8696 (Cell), 828-676-0766 (Home)
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Home Studio Hendersonville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Mainly Age 11 and Above, and Adults.
Teaching Styles: Enjoy Improvisation with Students
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Classical Piano Performance/Music History/Theory
Performers’ Occasions: Weddings, Funerals, Cocktail Parties
Address: Hendersonville
William Foley
Bio: I've taught piano for most of my adult life. I have a passion for it. I provided piano lessons in Valencia CA for over 25 years. I was a member of the MTAC for 18 years and have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Canterbury University. Now that the Covid virus is under control, I'm eager to get busy again.
Email: wwfoley19@gmail.com
Phone: 828-407-9552
Website Address: www.pianobill.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults, Lessons in your home (teacher will travel)
Teaching Styles: Classical, Popular
Performers’ Occasions: Weddings, Church Pianist, Accompanist
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory
Address: Asheville
Eric Fricke
Bio: Eric Fricke is a concert organist and pianist, improviser, composer, and collaborative musician. He has appeared on the national stage as an organist since 2007, with notable appearances at Entertainment Gathering 2008 (later broadcast on TEDTalks), on NPR’s From The Top, and Carnegie Hall. From 2017 to 2019, Eric was the Principal Organist of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, NM and organist for the Santa Fe Symphony. As a pianist, Eric performed with the Santa Fe Opera for their 2017 production of Stephen Paulus’ Shoes for the Santo Niño. Eric began his musical studies at the age of 5. He studied organ with Cameron Carpenter and Lew Williams, piano with celebrated ballet pianist Miles Fusco, and voice with Joan Jacobowsky, Professor Emerita of Salem College. He holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from St. John’s College of Santa Fe, NM, and a Graduate Certificate in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique from Salem College. He has taught piano and voice for over a decade in his private studio and at numerous schools and musical organizations.
Email: ericfricative@gmail.com
Phone: 480-734-3714
Web Site: https://ericfricke.com/
Monique Gaddy
Bio: Monique is an instructor and the Assistant Director for Piano Lab of Asheville. With a passion for early childhood music education, she pursued her Kindermusik teaching license in 2019. She is currently teaching piano, voice, guitar, ukulele and Kindermusik classes.
Email: moniquemccreary1@gmail.com
Phone: 828-575-8055
Website Address: pianolabasheville.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, Adults, Lessons in your home (teacher will travel)
Teaching Styles: Classical, Jazz, Popular
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Voice, Guitar, ukulele ; Kindermusik
Address: Asheville
Shirley Gruenhut
Bio: Avid chamber music player, New York native recently relocated to Hendersonville, NC, graduate of Brooklyn College (CUNY), 1st-time recipient of prestigious Charles Ives Award for Excellence in Musical Performance, studied graduate level piano accompaniment (vocal & instrumental) at Manhattan School of Music, holds M.M. (A.B.D), has assisted at the Metropolitan Opera House studios, has performed regularly in New York, Europe, Israel and currently in Western North Carolina. Was founder and co-founder of several chamber music ensembles, including The Soiree Sisters, The Urban Stress Trio, and co-founder & Musical Director of Handel With Care. Currently seeking piano students, teach out of my music studio/home.
Email: smgruenhut@yahoo.com
Phone: 646-413-1294
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Hendersonville, Teach Out of My Home/Studio
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults, Lessons in your home
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: vocal coaching/accompanist
Address: Hendersonville
Dr. Anna Hayward
Bio: 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 Teacher 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.
Email: annahayward1011@gmail.com
Phone: 828-225-3801
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Advanced, College, Adults, Lessons in your home
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory
Performers’ Occasions: Home concerts, Benefit Concerts
Address: Asheville
Beth Heinberg
Bio: Former Boston Conservatory faculty
Email: bethheinberg@gmail.com
Phone: 828-575-3940
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville
Offering Piano Lessons for: 8 and up beginners, intermediate, advanced
Teaching Styles: All styles, music literacy, theory, and improvisation emphasized
Performers’ Occasions: Honey Music Collective
Address: Asheville
Mary Sturman Holmes
Bio: Mary Holmes is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University (B. Music - Piano Performance) and The University of Michigan (M. Music). She attended Oakland University in Michigan (M. Music – Piano Performance) while raising her children.
She has taught piano at all levels for over 45 years. In addition, she taught in Detroit at Wayne State University for several years, and has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician. In addition to membership in AAPF, she is on the board of the Asheville Chamber Music Series.
Email: 312mesh@gmail.com
Phone: Home – (828) 505.7008 or Cellphone – (828) 707-6353
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Lessons in your home (teacher will travel)
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory
Address: Asheville
Jenna Jaffe
Bio: Jenna Jaffe graduated cum laude from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a Music Degree in Vocal Performance in 1992. She was also accepted into two Masters of Music programs at the renowned New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Jenna has been teaching private piano, voice, and general music for over 28 years. She specializes in teaching beginning to advanced voice and beginning to intermediate piano students. She is currently accepting new students in her private studio in East Asheville. Jenna is also a passionate performer of dance, performance art, singing in most genres, as well as playing several different instruments. In addition, she is a certified teacher of ESL at Asheville Buncombe Community College and regularly studies languages in her spare time.
Email: jenna.jaffe@gmail.com
Phone: 828-273-2605
Website Addresses:
https://www.consciouscreating.org/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ConsciousCreatingOrg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI8OXTyKdSFg6DcPK9DwNCA
https://www.instagram.com/jenna_jaffe/
https://www.facebook.com/consciouscreatingart
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Studio: All of Asheville and online lessons
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical, Popular, Jazz, Improvisation
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Composition, Voice, Percussion, Music History, Improvisation, Recorder, Composition Arrangements, Diction, Drama Coaching, Energy Healing with Voice
Other Music Related Services: Vocal and Piano Performance for any Events
Address: Asheville
Hwa-Jin Kim
Bio: Dr. Hwa-Jin Kim was born in Daegu, South Korea. She entered the prestigious Seoul National University in South Korea on a full scholarship. She received her Master and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from Manhattan School of Music where she was the youngest faculty member. She also taught at Brown University in Rhode Island. After moving to Asheville, Dr. Kim joined the music faculty at University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2003. To promote classical music in the community, Dr. Kim founded Asheville Chopin Club and has produced successful concerts.
Dr. Kim is the creator and director of UNC Asheville Summer Piano Camp for students between 6th and 12th grades.
Email: hwajinkim@aol.com
Phone: 828-681-9732
Website Address: Hwa-Jin Kim
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory
Address: Asheville
Lisa Kiser
Bio: Principal keyboardist at Greenville Symphony orchestra
Email: lisakiser11@gmail.com
Phone:864-908-4428
Web Site: Kiserpiano.com
Teaching Locations: Greenville, SC
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Lessons in your home (teacher will travel)
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory
Address: Greenville, SC
Mary Johnson
Bio: I graduated from the University of Michigan School of Music in 1970. During my career, I taught music in the Ann Arbor Public Schools, taught piano in the home, played in some bands and now I play for RELAXATION and ENJOYMENT, purely! I will accompany folks, play background music in various settings, when needed.
Email: rmmjohnson@gmail.com
Phone: 828-775-4545
Other Music Related Services: retired musician/accompanist
Address: Asheville
Leonidas Lagrimas
Bio: Dr. Leonidas Lagrimas serves as Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at Western Carolina University. His duties include coordinating the Class Piano program and teaching Applied Piano. He has presented his research at numerous local, state, and national conferences.
Dr. Lagrimas’ performance experience includes multiple collaborative piano appearances at Carnegie Hall, and guest artist recitals at numerous universities throughout the East Coast. He is active as a musical theatre accompanist/keyboardist as well as a choral/church accompanist. He holds National Certification (NCTM) in piano from MTNA, and a Ph.D. in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University.
Email: a.lagrimas@gmail.com
Phone: 850-443-2940
Web Site: www.wcu.edu/faculty/llagrimas.aspx
Address: Sylva
Rita Landrum
Bio: Rita E. Landrum holds a Bachelor of Music degree in music theory from Furman University where she presented Furman’s first composition recital her senior year. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree in music composition from the University of Georgia where she was a student of John Corina. She is a former faculty member of the Brevard Music Center in Brevard NC. Commissions have included works for organ, piano, solo voice, choral groups, and chamber ensembles.
Email: rlandrum@windstream.net
Phone: 828-859-6508
Address: Tryon, NC
Virginia McKnight
Bio: Virginia McKnight has degrees from Stetson University and Florida State University as well as a Certificate from the Neuchatel Conservatory in Neuchatel, Switzerland. She has made a career of collaborative piano including work at Yale University. Ithaca College, Cornell University and in New York City. Before moving to Asheville, Virginia taught and accompanied at Stetson University. In Asheville, She has worked as pianist at the Asheville Community Theater, Haywood Arts Repertory Theater, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater, Mars Hill University, UNC Asheville, and Reynold’s High School. Virginia has recently retired from her position of Organist and Music Director at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
Email: charlesvirginia@bellsouth.net
Phone: 828-301-7378
Other Music Related Services: Accompanying/coaching; Church Organist
Address: Asheville
Anne Parker
Bio: Studied at University of Michigan, Wake Forest, UNC-Chapel Hill, University d'Aix-en-Provence France. Accompanist at Mars Hill University.
Email: anne.e.parker@gmail.com
Phone: 828-253-7894 or 828-301-4970
Address: Asheville
Stephanie Quinn
Bio: I am a concert pianist & violinist and conservatory trained teacher for over 40 years, 15 of which included online lessons. I was educated by professors at the Eastman School of Music, Juilliard & Northwestern University. Visit my website and YouTube channels. I currently perform in local orchestras, churches & special events.
www.youtube.com/QuinnStudioStudents
Address: P.O. Box 8932, Asheville, NC 28804
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Globally. YouTube tutorials also available.
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Traditional and Suzuki
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Ear-training, Solfege, Theory, Composition, Singing.
Other Music Related Services: Skilled accompanist and chamber musician.
Dominic Rajagopal
Email: domraj099@gmail.com.
Richard Riccardi
Bio: Riccardi has accompanied such greats as Joel Grey, Martha Raye, Diahann Carroll, Tom Jones, Wesla Whitfield, Sharon McNight and Mel Torme, and was associate conductor for the Third National Broadway Tour of ‘Annie’. He has played for the San Francisco Symphony under Maestro Seiji Ozawa, for the San Francisco Opera and Ballet, the Lamplighters, Pocket Opera, The Summer Song Opera program, and the San Francisco Boys Chorus. He received his BMus in piano at Oberlin Conservatory and his MMA in piano from Yale University School of Music. He received the Mr. Holland’s Opus award (founded by the Henry Mancini family), given to five music teachers annually at Carnegie Hall for his outstanding teaching of music. Richard is currently a collaborative pianist and an adjunct professor of piano at Brevard College.
Email: rriccardi@gmail.com
Phone: 415-717-2940
Address: Asheville
Cynthia Riley
Bio: After completing a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in piano performance from Texas Christian University, Cynthia received a bachelor of science in nursing. In Texas, she performed chamber music and with orchestra. Since moving to North Carolina in 2006, she has given house concerts and performances in retirement homes, country clubs and restaurants.
She also has done benefits for the Hendersonville and Asheville Symphonies.
Email: cynthiarileypianist@gmail.com
Phone: 828-447-8886
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Lake Lure
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, Lessons in your home (teacher will travel)
Teaching Styles: Classical
Address: Lake Lure
Donna Robertson
Bio: Donna Robertson is a native of Indiana, PA where she received her early musical education. She holds a master's degree from the Eastman School of Music and is an Associate of the American Guild of Organists. As Professor Emerita of Mars Hill University where she was college organist, she taught organ, piano, harpsichord and compostion-theory related courses and is also a published composer. She lives at Givens Estates in Asheville where she continues her musical activities.
Email: donna.robertson444@gmail.com
Phone: 828-285-2442
Address: Asheville
Yelena Saladuhka
Bio: Teaches at Piano Lab in Mills River. I have graduates from a music school in Minsk Belarus. During my college years in the US I have taken lessons from Dr. Hwa-Jin Kim at UNCA. I have taught piano for 18 years, beginner through advanced levels.
Email: elena1apc@yahoo.com
Phone: (863) 398-1988
Teaching Locations: Piano Lab, Mills River, NC
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginners through Advanced
Teaching Styles: Classical
Address: Mills River, NC
Marilynn Seits
Bio: B.S. Music Ed. piano major, U of Illinois; In New York City: Jazz piano and composition studies with Sir Roland Hanna & Jimmy Guiffre; Electronic music studies with Steve Reich & Philip Glass in Steve Reich's NYC studio and on original Moog module synthesizers in Gershon Kinglsey's studio; Jazz pianist; composer; BMI Publisher & writer; Church organist; 12 jazz and New Age recordings on the CMR Records label; Music Together training & many years teaching piano.
Email: marilynnseits@mac.com
Phone: 561-719-4106
Website Address: mseitsmusic.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Hendersonville, Weaverville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Adults, Lessons in your home
Teaching Styles: Jazz, Popular
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Composition, Digital editing & MIDI recording
Other Music Related Services: Jazz Duo or trio available for parties and events; Church organist; BMI Publisher; original music, original children's songs; recording demos; making CD copies & CD graphics
Address: Asheville
Robert Setzer
Bio: I have been teaching in the Hickory area for 45 years and teach almost exclusively on the Advanced Level. My students have won major prizes in state and national events. I am very active in the NC Federation of Music Clubs and have held numerous offices for the organization.
Email: robertrichard@centurylink.net
Phone: 828-962-2269
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Hickory, NC
Offering Piano Lessons for: Advanced
Address: Hickory, NC
Nathan Shirley
Bio: Composer & pianist Nathan Shirley has received over half a dozen national and international awards for his solo, chamber and orchestral compositions since age 21. He is heavily self-taught, but as a teenager was mentored in composition by Olga Harris, the last student of Khachaturian. Mr. Shirley's music has been performed in over a dozen countries around the world. He lives in Western North Carolina with his wife and children.
Email: music@nathanshirley.com
Phone: 828.659.8737
Website: www.NathanShirley.com
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Composition
Address: Marion
Richard Shulman
Bio: Keyboardist/composer Richard Shulman creates music as a positive influence for himself, audiences and society. -- Richard has recorded 28 of his own albums and collaborated on dozens more. Trained in the classical and jazz fields, he has developed a heartfelt language in these genres while focussing much of his output on music for meditation, healing and inspiration. Shulman has performed at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the UN, and numerous venues in North America and Europe. Shulman has composed for jazz groups, chamber ensembles, choir, and symphony orchestra and creates Musical Soul Portrait recordings for individuals, couples and groups.
Read the full bio at https://richheartmusic.com/about/richard-shulman
Email: richheartmusic@frontier.com
Phone: 828-658-9604
Website: https://richheartmusic.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Weaverville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Intermediate, Advanced, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical, Jazz
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Composition
Other Music Related Services: Musical Soul Portraits, Jazz performances, composing, arranging & recording
Address: Asheville
Peter Slavin
Bio: I am a pianist, organist and composer with a Ph.D. in Music from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.M. in Composition from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. I attended the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (then called the Arts Magnet H.S. at B.T.W.) in Dallas, TX, and was named "Outstanding Pianist" by the Music faculty upon graduation. I also studied Piano for one year at Texas Christian University with Drs. Donna Edwards and Caio Pagano. In 2007, I co-founded the Tiny Mahler Orchestra, a 501(c)(3) performing and educational organization in Chicago, IL, to present concerts of unjustly neglected compositions from all eras and in all styles of the Western musical tradition. For 35 years I have worked as a church organist and music director, piano accompanist, and given private lessons in piano and music theory, in addition to composing, arranging and transcribing music. I now earn most of my living in the technology field, but remain active as a composer, performer and music researcher.
Email: pbslavin@gmail.com
Phone: 510-734-3811
Address: Asheville
Julius Smith
Bio: I have been playing from a young age as my father played both jazz and classical and taught me what he could at a young age. Later on, around 18 I became more serious after moving to Chicago and beginning to play with groups there. At 22 I studied privately, learning jazz performance and theory from a retired professor. I've recorded at home a lot and continue to play as I explore the Asheville music community. I've traditionally played funk, blues, jazz, soul, and have been beginning to explore more Latin music. I also enjoy classical styles and many others. I am open to performing and teaching improvisational theory.
Phone: 828-222-9001
Email: gesignia@protonmail.com
Address: Marshall, NC
Mark Smith
Bio: I'm a retired amateur who studied piano for many years in school. I haven't kept up my skills as much as I would have liked over the years, but recently started playing more seriously again. I enjoy many types of music -- classical, jazz, old standards, show tunes, and more.
Email: masmithcae@gmail.com
Phone: 202-256-0225
Address: Asheville
O. Wayne Smith, DMA
Bio: Wayne Smith is a retired solo pianist, accompanist, teacher and church organist, having moved to Asheville in 2016 from a long musical career in Kansas City, MO. With the AAPF, Dr. Smith is a board member and a frequently heard pianist on Benefit Concerts and Performance Group gatherings. He is active as a substitute organist/pianist for many churches in Asheville and surrounding towns.
Email: owaynesmith@att.net
Phone: 816-522-5317
Performers’ Occasions: Classical Solo Pianist, Church Musician
Address: Swannanoa
Eunice Stackhouse
Bio: Eunice Wonderly Stackhouse holds piano degrees from the University of Kansas (D.M.A.), Indiana University (M.M.), and Grace College (B.M.E.) She taught privately in Indianapolis for 13 years prior to her FT college career. She has performed extensively in solo and chamber recital settings, and has adjudicated piano competitions in several states. Her article on Louise Talma’s Soundshots was published by Clavier magazine in November 2002. As Professor of Music at Montreat College, she taught the Piano, Music Theory, and Pedagogy courses there from 1996-2019, and now teaches piano privately in Black Mountain.
Email: eunice.w.stackhouse@outlook.com
Phone: (828) 669-5479
Website: https://ews-piano-studio.com/
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Black Mountain
Offering Piano Lessons for: Advanced, Beginning through Advanced, Early Advanced, Elementary, Intermediate
Teaching Styles: Classical, Piano, Piano Pedagogy, Sacred, Theory
Address: Black Mountain
Mary Stair
Bio: When I play on my old Baldwin Baby Grant (beside open windows) birds come to sing! They particularly sing along with Debussy, Ravel. Mozart and Bach! Thinking about closed windows (due to air conditioning or seasonal changes) I thought of the Asheville Piano From, which I have never joined, tho' I've played piano for 75 year!. I'd like to join the Amateur Pianists Monthly Meeting group and offer my home for meeting.
Email: mms@mhu.edu
Phone: 828-254-0943
Address: Asheville
Michael Jefry Stevens
Bio: Pianist, Composer and “Steinway Artist,” Michael Jefry Stevens is currently on the music faculty of ETSU and the Asheville Music School. He has released over 100 cds and has performed and/or recorded extensively with many of the top names in Jazz, including Dave Liebman, Oliver Lake, Dave Douglas, Matt Wilson, Han Bennink, Mark Feldman and many others. He was the “Margaret Lee Crofts Fellow” for 2000-2001 at the MacDowell Colony, was a Centrum Arts composer fellow (2004) and is currently on the Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s Touring Artist Roster.
Email: mjsjazz@mac.com
Phone: 917-916-1363
Website: www.michaeljefrystevens.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Black Mountain
Offering Piano Lessons for: Middle/High School, College, Adults, Lessons in your home
Teaching Styles: Jazz, Popular
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Composition, improvisation
Address: Black Mountain
Laura Chu Stokes
Bio: Laura Chu Stokes, a nationally certified teacher of music, has been a pianist and music educator for more than forty years. A graduate of Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in piano performance, Laura has taught hundreds of students in her private studio and as the director-instructor at Appalachian State University’s Community Music School (CMS). She is a contributing author to the Alfred Music blog https://www.alfred.com/blog/ and Coordinator of the Hayes School of Music Piano Competition for pre-college pianists each fall. As a performer, Laura has been a staff accompanist at ASU and collaborative artist with her husband, trumpeter James Stokes. She has performed numerous recitals, both solo and chamber, and been featured as a soloist with the Columbus and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras. Laura also enjoys serving as an adjudicator at MTNA state competitions and performance festivals. Since 1989, Laura has conducted hands-on workshops for www.e-znotes.com, a full line of music learning tools developed by her mother, Lucy Chu. She has been invited by professional music teacher associations and music dealers/retailers nationally as a clinician and featured speaker.
Phone: 828-253-6936
Email: eznotespianostudio@gmail.com
Web Site: eznotespianostudio.com; e-znotes.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Boone NC
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Offering Other Lessons for: Theory, Pedagogy, Mentoring
Offering Other Piano Services: Music Educational Learning Tools
Teaching Styles: Classical, Jazz, Popular
Performers’ Occasions: Recitals, Jazz Events
Address: Boone
Tom Stuart
Bio: I am an accompanist for classical soloists and choirs. I am a classical pianist who works with singers and choirs. I have worked in the past with the Hampton Choral Society on Long Island and the New York Choral Society in Manhattan. I attended Oberlin College for two years and finished my bachelor's at SUNY Stony Brook. I have been a musical director for amateur musicals as well.
Phone: 828-484-9897
Email: tipikoda@protonmail.com
Address: Weaverville
Christopher Tavernier
Bio: Christopher Tavernier made his orchestral debut with the Tar River Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of thirteen in Rocky Mount, NC, performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in the opening concert of the orchestra’s Fall 2013 season. Christopher has been featured on ABC affiliate television station WLOS, CBS affiliate WSPA in Spartanburg (Scene on 7), Carolinas CW62 (Studio 62), and Carolina Live NPR radio, and WCQS in Asheville, NC. Christopher in currently studying at the College of Music at FSU majoring in Piano Performance under Dr. Read Gainsford, professor and coordinator of keyboard studies. Additionally, he has published recordings in DVD and CD formats
Email: bobtav@gate.net
Phone: 828-707-2604
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3atoGLS1O2acfz50_HqUcg
Address: Hendersonville
Gabrielle Tee
Bio: Teacher and Performer. Asheville-based contemporary musician Gabrielle Tee has a passion for creating and teaching music. She started piano lessons at age 6 and began composing original songs at age 10. While she is open to students of all ages and musical backgrounds, she specializes in teens who have an interest in pop, rock, or jazz. Her positive teaching approach and community engagement has been recognized by local residents, having twice received Mountain Xpress' "Music Teacher of the Year" Award.
Email: music@gabrielletee.com
Website: Gabrielletee.com
Phone: 563-370-5626
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Jazz
Address: Asheville
Laura Keith Thiel
Bio: Dr. Laura Keith Thiel is a highly accomplished piano teacher and performer, with a Doctoral degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Miami. With 30 years of teaching experience, Dr. Thiel has been instrumental in helping her students win numerous local and regional piano competitions. Dr. Thiel's expertise also extends to adjudicating in various competitions for the Florida Music Teachers Associations and the Florida Federation of Music Clubs. Her passion lies in making piano lessons accessible to all who are interested, and she takes pride in helping her students grow into accomplished musicians. Together with her husband Doug, Dr. Thiel has been residing in Hendersonville for the past four and a half years. They share their home with two adorable Boston Terriers named Dollie and Lulu. Dr. Thiel is truly honored to be a part of the Asheville Area Piano Forum, where she can contribute her vast knowledge and experience to fellow musicians and piano enthusiasts.
Email: laurakeiththiel@gmail.com
Phone: 305-984-7700
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Hendersonville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Harpsichord, Musicology
Address: Hendersonville
Leonid Treer
Bio: A graduate of prestigious The Gnessins State Institute of Music in Moscow with MM in piano performance, chamber music and pedagogic.
Teachers: Profs. B.M. Berlin (links to K. Igumnov and A. Siloti) and A. Stoliarevich (links to F. Blumenfeld and A. Rubinstein). Concerts in USA, France, UK, Canada, Israel, Ukraine, Australia, Russia., People's Republic of China. A piano duet/duo partner of Judith Burganger. Former Professor of Music at Florida Atlantic University. NCTM/MTNA, YouTube.
Email: ltreer@comcast.net
Phone: (828) 505-041, (561) 235 -1187
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville
Offering Piano Lessons for: Intermediate, Advanced, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical
Offering Other Music Lessons for: performances : chamber music
Address: Asheville
Brian Turner
Bio: Brian Turner is a pianist who has been thrilling audiences throughout North America for 30 years. From solo concerts to an arena tours, he brings a unique passion to playing piano. Brian began performing at age 12, earned piano degrees at Ohio University, and relocated to Asheville, NC, where he performs and teaches privately. His compositions have been featured in podcasts, online radio, and film and he has shared the stage with KISS, Sammy Hagar, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick, Jason Bonham, Michael Anthony, Meat Loaf's Neverland Express, Michael Bolton, Clay Aiken, Caleb Johnson, Warren Haynes, Cliff Williams and others.
Email: brianturnerpiano@yahoo.com
Phone: 828-279-9729
Website: www.brianturnerpiano.com
Studio/Store Location, Serving: Asheville, Hendersonville, Weaverville, Black Mountain, Canton, All of Western NC
Offering Piano Lessons for: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Young Children, Elementary, Middle/High School, College, Adults
Teaching Styles: Classical, Jazz, Popular, Religious
Offering Other Music Lessons for: Theory, Composition
Other Music Related Services: Performance as soloist or group
Doug Weeks
Email: doug.weeks@converse.edu
Phone: 864-597-9665
Address: Spartanburg