Ted A.

Ted is an accomplished pianist and educator who started his musical journey as a child learning piano fundamentals from his mother, who was a professional musician. During his teen years, Ted moved on to learning from James Pierce, the piano chair at the University of Maryland.

After high school, Ted had his first experiences with teaching music, and he attended the University of Alaska where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. From there, he became a global performer, playing the piano in a variety of settings in Europe and South America. He then moved to Arizona and furthered his education by earning his Master's and PhD in Piano Performance from the University of Arizona. During this time, Ted gained a deeper understanding of technique, musical interpretation, and high level performance. Over the years, Ted has honed his skills while studying under numerous renowned pianists, including John-Paul Billaud, Steve DeGroote, and John Perry.

Ted's studies paved the way for a full music career. His career spans various performances, including solo recitals, orchestral collaborations, chamber music, and accompaniments for the Portland Opera and others. He has also played over 20,000 church services throughout his career, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to his craft. In addition to his success as a performer, Ted has seen much success in the teaching realm. He has worked successfully with thousands of students of all ages and skill levels over the past 40+ years. His students include those pursuing music degrees and professional careers.

Ted's teaching philosophy is holistic, focusing on technical development and ensuring deep satisfaction and emotional connection to music. He holds two major recitals each year for his students. His lifelong dedication to piano, extensive performance, and teaching experience make him a uniquely inspiring figure in music education. Ted has a deep love for teaching and playing piano, so much so that he doesn't consider it "work." He finds immense joy in guiding his students to be talented pianists, and also to thrive in other areas of their lives. Ted is happy to teach in English, French, and German, and is currently learning Mandarin in order to provide instruction in a fourth language as well.