Steven Masi, acclaimed as an artist of unusual sensitivity and virtuosity, is a pianist whose playing has been described by the German press as "magical" and "thrilling" by the New York Times. He has toured worldwide as a recitalist and as soloist with such orchestras as the New Symphony Orchestra of London, the Atlanta Symphony, the Southwest German Radio Orchestra, the American Symphony and many others.

His solo and chamber music performances have included concerts at the Casals Festival, Aspen Music Festival, the Park City international Music Festival, Music Festival of Hamptons, Chattauqua Festival, Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival, Detroit Bach Festival, and the Manhattan School of Music Festival in Taiwan. He has concertized throughout North America, Europe and India.

A graduate of the Juilliard School, Steven was a student of Sasha Gorodnitzki and later studied with Irma Wolpe. In Germany he was an artist member of the Bonn Chamber Music Society. He has toured the United States with the Bonn Woodwind Quintet and as a member of the Odyssey Chamber Players. He was also a member of the Leonore Trio.

 

Although Ellen Johansen has taught piano  to all ages for over 30 years, She has specialized here training to focus on the young pianist. She received here own musical training from Juilliard, the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, the 92nd Street Y, and the Music Department at Hofstra University.

She has taught Musikgarden for 15 years and operates an independent studio in East Hampton, NY. Where she teaches music classes for preschool children, pre-piano, introductory group piano classes to elementary children and a special group program for older adults. She also teaches upper level piano students.

Ellen Johansen has written articles for Keyboard Companion and American Music Teacher. Here video, " Motivating young students from the floor to the piano", was shown at the MTNA National Convention in 2003 and she has also presented at the MTNA group Piano Teachers Track. She performs piano concerts regularly on Long Island. She is a student of Blanche Abram.

 

Pat King is one of the first piano teachers to incorporate technology in her studio. As a result, she has presented the workshop, "Merging Technology with Tradition", was a speaker at Roland Keyboard Technology Seminar, contributed to " The Music & Computer Educator" magazine and was observed and interviewed by the New York Times for an article on the use of technology in piano lessons.

As early member of APTLI, she found and directed the Long Island Keyboard Ensemble Festival. She served as faculty chairperson of the Dorothy Taubman School of Piano, consulted for the National and International Piano Foundation, adjudicated for Creative Festivals and has judged for NYSSMA, the National Guild ( auditions and composition contest), APTLI and NY State Music Teachers' Association.

Pat has won prizes for her compositions. She was the Composer-in-Residence for the Amherst Music Festival and has received grants from " Meet the Composer" Foundation. Her music is published by Lee Roberts, Theodore Presser, Kjos and Creative Music publishing companies.

Twice Nominated for the Queens College Adjunct Teacher of the Year Award, and the recipient of both the Queens College Performance Excellence and President's Multicultural Award, Jonathan Irving has taught as an adjunct assistant professor for the Aaron   Copland School of Music and the ACE program at Queen College for nearly a decade.

His teaching philosophy is one of inclusion, participation, inspiration, and creating an exciting and multi-dimensional approach to learning. Music is an expression of the human spirit and Dr. Irving strives to create an atmosphere of a shared journey as the foundation of his classroom experience.

Dr. Irving has also taught at Willamette University, OR: Montclair State University, NJ; and the Manhattan  School of Music. A passionate educator , he has served as the Director of Arts- in Education program for the Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music, and the Lincoln Center Institute, in NYC.

Also a concert pianist, Dr. Irving has performed to critical acclaim throughout the US and Canada. He was for years the accompanist for the well known singer/actor Theodore Bikel, and was the music director/conductor/pianist for the hit off-Broadway show, "Jacques Brel is Alive & Will & living in Paris", in New and on US tour.

 

Pianist Ren Zhang, who is dedicated to reviving and performing music in the grand romantic tradition, has burst upon the international concert scene, and has established himself as one of the unique pianistic characters of his generation.

Born in Shanghai , Ren began his piano studies at the age of 4. At 12 he entered the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, studying there  for 6 years. After winning several prestigious competitions in China, Ren continued is studies in New York as a full scholarship student of Solomon Mikowsky. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music.

Ren's artistry was recognized after a highly successful New York recital debut at Weill Hall as a recipient in 1966 of the Shura Cherkassky Award from Artists International. He has made frequent appearances as a recitalist and soloist in the United States, Hong Kong and Spain. He has  also lectured and been heard on WQXR Radio in New York City, where he resides.

".. The brilliance, style and ease of the vocal line and lightness of filigree were worthy of and Golden Age pianistic giant one would think of .." -- Harris Goldsmith, New York Concert Reviewer