Students and Music Aficionados
John Allen
Bio: John Allen, Market President for Argent Trust Helping families flourish from one generation to the next
Email: jallen@argenttrust.com
Phone: Cell: (704) 906-6627, Greenville Direct: (864) 977-8805
Address: US Main & Fedex/Charlotte Office: 11020 David Taylor Drive #430 Charlotte NC 28262
Greenville Office: 15 South Main Street, Suite 901Greenville, SC 29601 - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Sam Austin
Bio: Sam Austin grew up in Asheville and started playing the piano at the age of 10 and picked up the clarinet through highschool. They have played at Carnegie Hall (clarinet) and have loved exploring new instruments. The piano has always been the foundation for their love of music. Many years of travel and starting a family took them on a break from music to explore high adventure travel, yoga and dance while always embracing the arts. Now, with a family which includes 3 young children and a career as a hairstylist, they are re-honing their skills and bringing their love of piano back into their life and home. Sam wants to give a shout-out to Shane Owenby of Piano Emporium who helped them fulfill the dream of owning a grand piano – they now have a lovely Yamaha grand in their West Asheville home.
Email: yogaaustin@gmail.com
Phone: 828-458-4821
Steven Bennett
Email: steven_b@bellsouth.net
Address: Asheville
Adlai Boyd
Bio: Retired Presbyterian Minister and University Psychologist
Email: ladlai@charter.net
Phone: 828-669-4869
Other Music Related Services: Will video performances and competitions as needed
Sylvia Cassel
Bio: Retiree, enjoy playing standards, volunteer playing at Mission Hospital
Email: sylvia.cassel@gmail.com
Address: Asheville
William Clark
Email: ddawac@msn.com
Phone: 828-299-1619
Address: 116 Sondley Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28805
David Cleavinger
Bio: David Jesse began piano at age 6, giving his first public performances at age 9. A native of Cincinnati, OH, he grew up exploring many facets of the arts such as: musical theatre, studio art, and choral opportunities such as the May Festival Youth Chorus. He graduated in 2021 from Miami University of Ohio, earning his Bachelor's in piano performance with added studies in organ and harpsichord. Past intensives include the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival (2017), the American Institute of Musical Studies (2018), Festival Baltimore (2019), and the Gijón International Piano Festival (2022). He has been privileged to work with esteemed artists such as Dr. Jihye Chang (FSU), Dr. Frank Huang (MU), Dr. Kenneth Griffiths (UC-CCM) and Dr. Asiya Korepanova. David currently serves as organist at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines, NC.
Email: djcleavinger@gmail.com
Website: davidjesse.org
Phone: 513-707-8806
Address: Aberdeen, NC
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.
Email: rfcousins@gmail.com
Phone: 828-557-2540
Address: Hayesville, NC
Stuart Cox
Bio: I am a classical pianist. I have flexible availability and am willing to work in a variety of positions for a flexible fee. I currently have no equipment and would need a piano. I would like to work in any supportive role and to meet other pianists in Asheville.
Email: stuartcox727@gmail.com
Phil Dettra
Email: jpkontaksu@gmail.com
Address: Asheville
Mike Emerson
Bio: Have been taking piano lessons for 3 years
Email: emerson10036@gmail.com
Phone: 828-702-8515
Address: Asheville
Julie Gordon
Bio: I studied piano through high school and am now studying under Dr. John Cobb. Hosted an Amateur Performance Group in July 2022.
Email: jmg29860@hotmail.com
Phone: 828-699-6528
Address: Hendersonville, NC
Sue Guerry
Bio: I would like to join the piano forum to meet with other people who are interested in the piano.
Email: rg324@aol.com
Phone: 828-337-1582
Address: Black Mountain
James Hilderbrandt
Bio: I am an enthusiastic piano listener.
Email: JamesFLNC@aol.com
Phone: 828-772-0638
Address: Asheville
Sherry Hjelvik
Bio: Amateur. Would like to be part of amateur group.
Email: hjdanz1@yahoo.com
Phone: 828-687-7817
Address: Asheville
Benny Kirby
Bio: I have been playing for three years, and like to play boogie-woogie and classical.
Email: bearkirb3.14@gmail.com
Phone: 828-301-7736
Address: Arden
Jake Kirby
Bio: Hello! I am Jake, have been playing piano for 5 years, and especially love classical music. I enjoy hearing and playing pieces those such as Debussy, Beethoven, and Bach, but my most favorite composer would have to be Chopin.
Email: maestrospock314@gmail.com
Phone: 828-301-7736
Address: Arden
Valerie Klevan
Bio: Music of all genres speaks to my soul. Piano has always affected me most deeply however. Invited by Cynthia Riley to a recent gathering of AAPF has encouraged me to join, and enjoy, more events and recitals in this area.
Email: valeriejklevan@hotmail.com
Phone: 305-588-3339
Address: Laurel Park, NC
Erik Kohl
Email: takenotemusicstudio@yahoo.com
Gary Landwirth
Bio: I am an amateur pianist with a deep appreciation for the instrument and its repertoire. My background is similar to many coming back to the piano after many years, having taken lessons as a kid and now having resumed several years ago. I enjoy getting together with other like-minded folks.
Email: glandwirth@mac.com
Carlisle Lincoln
Bio: Long time player (by ear), recent formal music education at UNCA. Enjoy playing and would like to keep learning.
Email: clink17@gmail.com
Phone: 907-351-8410
Address: Leicester, NC
Bob Lindwall
Bio: I am a transplant from Chicago 14 years ago. I got a degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in Social Studies and a minor in Art History.. I have always had a keen interest in music and growing up in Manitowoc Wisconsin i attended Civic Music concerts with my parents and also took piano lessons and played in competitions . I lived most of my adult life in Chicago and frequently attended the Chicago Symphony , Ravina Music Festival ,and concerts in Grant Park. Also frequently attended the Door County Music Festival in Fish Creek Ws that was founded by Thor Johnson from the Interlocken Musici Festival. I have been active in the arts here in Hendersonville and i organized a monthly arts breakfast club here in Hendersonville for about 12 years.
Email: lindwallb@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 773-617-8649
Nicole Lopez
Bio: I'm an amateur and student (studying with Deborah Belcher) largely focused on repertoire by women and BIPOC composers. I was born and raised in Asheville, where I first learned to love the piano (shout out to JoAnn Keener). After high school, I stopped playing piano, but moving back to Asheville during the pandemic brought back my love of playing. I’ve been organizing and performing at virtual benefit concerts for Midwest Access Coalition and recently performed at All Good Coffee in Weaverville to fundraise for the Asheville Community Bail Fund..
Email: hello.nicole.lopez@gmail.com
Phone: 828-712-1466
Auralia Manis
Bio: Student (25 and under) of music with a deep love for piano, voice, and orchestra (cellist).
Email: AuraliMani@gmail.com
Website: http://youtube.com@AuraliaManis
Phone: 828-707-4606
Address: Weaverville, NC
Carol McCollum
Bio: Board member Asheville Symphony and Asheville Area Center for the Performing Arts; Pianist
Email: camcc27@gmail.com
Phone: 828-252-8506
Address: Asheville
John Paul McDonald
Bio: 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 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.
Phone: 828-254-9954
Email: profmcd@gmail.com
Address: P.O. Box 8071, Asheville, NC 28814
Micah McKenzie
Bio: Student at UNCA. Has played piano 8 years.
Phone: 704-614-5768
Email: micahcmckenzie@gmail.com
Address: Asheville
David Miller
Bio: Piano student
Email: dmiller2718@gmail.com
Phone: 312-446-6986
Address: Asheville
Madeline Morin
Email: madelinemorin4@gmail.com
Bio: Teacher – beginner level. Now retired.
Philip Morrison
Bio: Took piano lessons 2nd-9th grade. As an adult, got interested in songwriting and then singing to my own piano accompaniment. Singing opened up a new world in piano literature, including that of the “Tin Pan Alley” songwriters: Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg (music composer and lyricist for the songs in “The Wizard of Oz”), Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichal, Johnny Mercer, Leslie Bricusse, and Kurt Weill.
Email: offtherack007@gmail.com
Phone: 865-203-8243, 828-424-1167
Address: 17 Webster Court, Loudon, TN 37774
Mary Norton
Bio: Organist, pianist retired. Not playing professionally.
Email: Nortonmary13@gmail.com
Address: Arden NC
Meredith Norwood
Bio: I had about 3 years of piano lessons in early elementary school. The bulk of my musical experience has been as a choral singer which I began at age 10 and continue to this day. Since retiring to Asheville, I’ve sung with Womansong, the Asheville Choral Society, and am currently a member of the Cathedral Choir at All Souls in Biltmore Village. Recently, I began group piano classes through OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) and I love it. My skills are weak, but my enthusiasm is strong
Email: meredith.lee.norwood@gmail.com
Phone: 828-301-0033
Address: Asheville
Dominic Rajagopal
Email: domraj099@gmail.com.
Phone Number: 828-273-8147
Barbara (Kitti) Reynolds
Bio: Studying with Les Downs, after many years of not playing piano.
Email: reynolds.barbara@gmail.com
Phone: 828-768-0537
Address: Asheville
Judy Rodwell
Email: heyjude731@icloud.com, heyjude731@gmail.com
Michael Ruiz
Email: mjtruiz@gmail.com
Sue Russell
Bio: Intermediate adult learner, student at Churchya Piano Studio.
Email: ashevillesuerussell@gmail.com
Phone: 828-778-7747
Address: Asheville
Nancy Schuman
Bio: A lover of piano music, and in the past, a player of same. It’s important to me to encourage /support young musicians. Neighbor of Karen Boyd.
Email: nschu62340@aol.com
Phone: 828-989-0324
Address: Black Mountain, NC
Arnie Schuster
Bio: I took piano lessons at a young age and then started playing guitar when I was 13 years old. In my early teens, I played with a band and later performed at coffee houses and other events. Though I have not performed in many years, I love music of all genres from classical to jazz and pop.
Email: aschuster819@gmail.com
Phone: 301-992-7240
Address: Hendersonville, 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.
Phone: 202-256-0225
Email: masmithcae@gmail.com
Address: Asheville, NC
Hal Southern
Bio: I am a jazz aficionado.
Email: halsouthster@gmail.com
Ted Stewart
Bio: Primarily an organist and secondarily a pianist: Church musician, School accompanist, Organ recitalist, Teacher of organ/piano, including college for 50 years. Now retired.
Email: stewart.smith@att.net
Phone: 816-305-1038
Address: Swannanoa
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
Joshua Tjung
Email: ietjhiang@gmail.com
Phone: 828-335-9898
Address: Asheville
Sarah Trent
Bio: I would like to attend master classes as a student to give and receive feedback from other pianists. I am 18 years old, and I am turning 19 soon. I am a freshman in college, and have decided to study music instead of veterinary medicine. I have played the piano since I was small, picking out tunes that sounded good to my ear. Since then, I took lessons with several different teachers over the years. I played piano in my middle school, and high school jazz band, as well as my high school marching band. When I got to high school, I took lessons with Dr. Hwa-Jin Kim for 3 years. Under her teaching, I competed in the 2020 Virtual Piano Competition in the “Advanced” category performing Clair De Lune and won 4th place. I had to quit lessons my senior year because of personal reasons. I have now returned back to my practice with Karen Boyd (who encouraged me to join the Piano Forum) and want to pursue music as a career.
Email: sarahtrent223@gmail.com
Phone: 828-767-9057
Address: Fairview
Nan Watkins
Email: nan_watkins@hotmail.com
Phone: 828-293-9237
Address: Tuckasegee
Ann Weinstein
Bio: Adult learner after many years of absence from playing the piano.
Phone: 646-717-2432
Email: awwnyc77@gmail.com
Address: Asheville, NC
Marlene Whitaker
Bio: I am a retired school teacher and arranger/choreographer of musical programs for international dressage horses. Returning to the study of piano after a 60 year break, I now have time to practice and enjoy it!
Email: marlenewhitaker@mac.com
Phone: 828-606-5907
Address: Asheville
Rich Winslow
Bio: Intermediate Adult learner.
Email: rich@rwinsphoto.com
Phone: 828-243-5932
Janet Wright
Bio: I studied piano as a child and am currently working with John Cobb and Brian Turner. I am enjoying my piano playing in retirement more than I ever dreamed possible and enjoy playing with the Amateur group of AAPF in an attempt to become more comfortable playing in front of an audience.
Email: janetiwrightemail@gmail.com
Phone: 618-558-0705
Address: Asheville