SELECTING A COLLABORATIVE PIANO ACCOMPANIST

First and foremost search for a piano accompanist that is familiar with collaborative piano repertoire.  The piano accompanist should be familiar with vocal and instrumental collaborative repertoire.  They may also be familiar with musical theatre repertoire or have been a rehearsal piano accompanist for operas.

I reside in High Point (27262, 27263, 27265) and can travel to your home for piano accompaniment as long as you have a properly tuned acoustic piano or a grand piano.  Please note that if you are performing advanced literature, I will require a properly tuned acoustic piano.  An accompanist needs to be able to hear how their sound blends with the soloist.  That is impossible on a digital piano or keyboard.  

I can accompany students in my apartment.  I possess a Steinway

K-52 (grand upright) and two digital pianos (one is a keyboard).  So, you can come to my home. At times though, I choose to travel to avoid noise issues with my neighbors.

Ask the piano accompanist for a repertoire list, videos of their playing or whether they are familiar with the repertoire you will be performing.  Some accompanists lack sensitivity in their playing.  Accompanying is different from solo piano playing in that it involves the collaboration of two or more individuals.  Watching a video of their playing will allow you to get a sense of their piano playing and perhaps accompanying style.

There are a number of pieces that are challenging for a collaborative pianist.  I am skilled in playing Negro Spirituals (these are the songs of my ancestors and reside within my soul), Italian, French and German art songs as well as an extensive list of instrumental collaborative repertoire.  I have performed all pieces on my repertoire lists.   I can accompany middle, high school and college instrumentalists (all instruments) as well as vocalists.

Also, ensure the accompanist actually possesses a Masters degree or Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in piano or collaborative piano.  A Master's or DMA signifies an individual has met certain competencies in piano.   It is also important for your accompanist to be skilled in some solo piano repertoire AND collaborative piano repertoire.  Certain composers require different types of piano technique.  I have done both.

A good accompanist also possesses excellent sight-reading skills, transposition and aural skills.  Accompanying is not just about learning notes on a page but being a collaborator and supporting the soloist.  The soloist and collaborative pianist form the ultimate partnership. You want to choose a pianist who is sensitive to your style of playing.  

I possess two master's degrees.  My first Master's degree was in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from George Mason University.  As a Master's piano student, I was required to present a solo piano recital, present a lecture-recital (I presented one on Johannes Brahms), take a vocal accompaniment class (transposed Italian art songs on sight), an instrumental accompaniment course and complete two semesters of chamber music.

The second Master's degree was in Injury Preventive Keyboard Technique from Salem College where I studied with the renowned Dr. Barbara Lister-Sink.  Again, I presented a 50-minute solo piano recital and a mini lecture recital on William Grant Still.  

I also trained in the Russian piano method and am knowledgeable about stylistic nuances for various composers.  I know how to adapt my sound to blend with the soloist.  I have been working with my former teacher from the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory over Zoom and it has enhanced my collaborative and solo playing.

I charge what I am worth!  My rate is based upon my expertise in piano, the time spent in learning the repertoire, and rehearsal time.  This is standard in the industry.  Yes, if I am traveling to your home, the price will factor in travel time.   However, rates are different for high school and middle school students participating in Solo and Ensemble Festival or NATS auditions.  I am also available to accompany students for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions being held at UNC-Greensboro on February 14, 15 2025.