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Faculty and Administration

The collaborative spirit among our faculty makes NSMS a vibrant learning community for teachers and students alike. All members of our faculty are highly-educated, experienced pianists with a passion for teaching.

Gonzalo Aguilar

Gonzalo Aguilar

gaguilar@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, University of Southern Mississippi

Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Performance, Westminster Choir College

Gonzalo Aguilar joined the New School in 2022 began taking piano lessons at 17 years old with Professor Larissa Belotserkovskaia, and graduated from the National Conservatory of Music in Lima, Peru, with the highest accolades. In 2013, Dr. Aguilar was invited to attend the Golandsky Institute Summer Symposium at Princeton University. 

 

Dr. Aguilar holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance in Piano Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi, with minors in collaborative piano and music theory. He was a student of Elizabeth Moak, and his dissertation is an analysis of folk elements found in three piano compositions by Peruvian composers. He holds a Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College, where he studied with Ingrid Clarfield.

 

In 2016, Dr. Aguilar performed Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto in E flat Major with the Westminster Community Orchestra. He was also invited by Art Quitilinga to perform a recital in the Karl Richter Haus in Quedlinburg, Germany. In 2017, Dr. Aguilar performed a recital on Peruvian composers with oboist William Wielgus at the International Students House in Washington, D.C, and recently recorded music of Peruvian Composers with Wielgus for the Sono Luminus. Dr. Aguilar was also invited to perform a solo recital in Czech Republic, and gave a masterclass to two students of the Prague Conservatory.

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Marvin Blickenstaff

mblickenstaff@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Co-Director of PEPS Program

​Board Member and Past President of The Frances Clark Center

Master of Music in Piano Performance, Indiana University​

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Oberlin Conservatory of Music

 

Marvin Blickenstaff joined The New School in 1999, and serves as co-director of the PEPS Program. Mr. Blickenstaff holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Indiana University, where he received both academic and performance honors. He is well-known across the country and in Canada for his frequent presentations at state and national conferences. The Marvin Blickenstaff Endowment Fund was established in his honor by the Music Teachers National Association Foundation. In 2007 the online journal Piano Pedagogy Forum published tributes to Mr. Blickenstaff honoring his contribution to piano teaching in America. Also in 2007, he was named Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He was honored in 2009 with MTNA’s highest honor, the MTNA Achievement Award. Mr. Blickenstaff has served as chair of the piano departments at the University of North Carolina/ Chapel Hill and Goshen College (IN) and from 2000-2013 he was President of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy.

Mr. Blickenstaff's book for piano teachers, Inspired Piano Teaching, was published by the Frances Clark Center in 2024.

Marvin Blickenstaff
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Kristin Cahill

kcahill@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Junior PEPS Instructor and Theory Instructor​

 

Master of Music in Piano Performance, University of Houston 
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Bowling Green State University​

 

Kristin Cahill is on the faculty and is Coordinator of Enrichment and Outreach Programs at NSMS. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Music in Piano Performance with additional studies in Collaborative Piano from the University of Houston, where she studied with Ruth Tomfohrde and Timothy Hester. From 2008-2013, Ms. Cahill lived in Barcelona, Spain, and extensively studied castanets and Spanish piano repertoire with Ludovica Mosca. At The American School of Barcelona, Ms. Cahill started and developed a group piano program in addition to teaching private lessons to students from all over the world. 

 

An active adjudicator, Ms. Cahill is a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music College of Examiners. In addition, she has published articles in Clavier Companion and has presented at the NJMTA State Conference, the MTNA National Conference, and the National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy. Ms. Cahill is a member of Legacy Arts, where she co-directs the bitKlavier course for children in Princeton.

Kristin Cahill
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Fiona Christano

Fiona Christano

fchristano@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

 

Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, Bowling Green State University

​Bachelor of Arts in Piano Pedagogy, Goshen College​

Fiona Christano initially joined NSMS as an intern in 2003 upon completing her Master’s in Piano Pedagogy from Bowling Green State University under the direction of Dr. Robert Satterlee. She became a full-time member of NSMS faculty in 2004 and taught numerous students until 2009. Prior to her study at Bowling Green State University, Ms. Christano completed her Bachelor’s of Arts in Piano Pedagogy from Goshen College under the direction of Professors Marvin Blickenstaff, Beverly Lapp, David Gross, and Matthew Hill, with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

During her time off from NSMS, Ms. Christano served as volunteer director of the children’s choir at her church, and provided pro-bono 3-month piano lessons to individuals with varying degrees of musical skills in her hometown of Kudus, Indonesia.

Ms. Christano and her husband live in Princeton. She is a mother of two wonderful and lively children and enjoys knitting and baking with and reading to her kids.

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Allison Fog

Allison Fog

afog@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Performance, Southern Methodist University 

Bachelor of Arts in Music, Augustana University

With over 20 years of experience teaching piano privately and in group settings, Allison Fog is driven by the belief that everyone has the potential to play the piano beautifully, regardless of past experiences or perceived limitations. She has dedicated her career to helping students of all levels discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from making music at the piano. She has witnessed firsthand the many ways that music study brings meaning to our lives and enhances our well-being. 

Allison earned her Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy/Performance from Southern Methodist University under the guidance of Sam Holland and Alfred Mouledous. She first joined the faculty at NSMS in the fall of 2000, and since that time has served as both teacher and parent, as her own sons studied at NSMS for many years. 

Allison is an active church musician and accompanist, and lives in Flemington with her family. In addition to teaching and playing piano, she loves taking walks, swimming, doing Pilates, reading, and watching British murder mysteries.  

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Xiaoya Gao

Xiaoya Gao

xgao@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Doctor of Musical Arts, University of South Carolina

Master of Music in Piano Performance, New York University

Advanced Certificate in Piano Pedagogy, New York University

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Lawrence University

Bachelor of Arts in History, Lawrence University

Born in Urumqi, China, Xiaoya (Sisi) Gao is a dedicated pianist and music educator. Dr. Gao has performed solo and chamber recitals in various venues including the Lawrence Chapel, Harper Hall in Appleton, WI, Blackbox Theatre in New York City, and Palais Corbelli in Vienna, Austria. In 2019, Gao earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Bachelor of Arts in History from Lawrence University in Wisconsin. In 2021, she received her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and an Advanced Certificate in Piano Pedagogy from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. As a faculty member at NYU, Dr. Gao taught undergraduate piano lessons and group classes.

 

Dr. Gao received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy from University of South Carolina. Her dissertation topic is An Analysis of Akira Yuyama’s Piano Works for Children. During her free time, Dr. Gao is an active volunteer for non-profit art organizations, advocating for marginalized voices.

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Amy Glennon

Amy Glennon

aglennon@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Educational Director

Master of Music in Piano Performance, University of Louisville​

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance/Bachelor of Science in Music Education, University of Connecticut 

Amy Glennon studied Piano Pedagogy with New School co-founders Frances Clark and Louise Goss, earning the Certificate of Professional Achievement in 1986. She then joined the piano faculty of Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, MA), where she remained for six years before returning to the New School faculty in 1996. During the following years, Ms. Glennon has served as Admissions Director and more recently, Educational Director. In her current position, Ms. Glennon oversees the New School’s faculty development program. Her articles have appeared in Clavier Companion magazine. She is the co-author (along with Ted Cooper) of four duet collections comprising the Side by Side series, published by Alfred. Ms. Glennon has presented at local and national music teachers conventions, including Music Teachers National Convention and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

 

Ms. Glennon remains active as an adjudicator at local festivals and competitions, and serves as pianist and choir director at Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church. She holds two undergraduate degrees from the University of Connecticut: a B.M. in Piano Performance and a B.S. in Music Education. She earned her Masters Degree from the University of Louisville in Piano Performance, where she studied with Lee Luvisi.

Ms. Glennon has recently published a collection of pieces called, "Friends at Last" through Piano Safari. These pieces are woven into a story about what it means to be a friend.

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Yu Han

yhan@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Master of Fine Arts in Music Production, Academy of Art University
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Tianjin Normal University

Yu Han is a pianist and composer currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in
composition and piano performance at the University of Arizona. She has recently performed in
recitals in Aspen and Tucson, showcasing her diverse repertoire and mastery of both solo and
collaborative works.


Throughout her career, Yu has been selected for numerous performances and compositions
across the United States. Her multimedia composition, The Beauty Within, won the grand prize at
the Red Rock Dance Festival, and her work Immune to Love for piano and electronics was
showcased at the TURN UP Multimedia Festival in collaboration with the NYU Music
Department. Yu has also received commissions from institutions like the UNLV Dance
Department and the UA Choreographic Institute. Her compositions and performances have been
highly acclaimed, with recordings broadcast on Performance Today and Tianjin Classical Radio.

 

Yu is dedicated to providing personalized, one-on-one piano lessons, focusing on nurturing each
student's unique talents and goals. She has successfully worked with a diverse range of students,
from beginners to advanced learners, tailoring her teaching methods to meet individual needs.
Her approach emphasizes the development of technical skills, musical expression, and a deep
understanding of the repertoire. Through this individualized instruction, Yu has helped many of
her students achieve significant milestones, including earning State Honors in the MTAC
Certificate of Merit exam in California. Her commitment to each student's progress ensures that
learning is both effective and fulfilling.

Yu Han
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Esther Hayter

Esther Hayter

ehayter@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Master of Music Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Texas Christian University​​

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Washington State University

 

Esther Hayter joined the New School in 2017. A native of Washington State, she completed her undergraduate studies at Washington State University, where she studied piano performance and pedagogy with Drs. Jeff and Karen Savage. She then went on to complete a Masters of Music at Texas Christian University, under the guidance of Dr. Ann Gipson and Dr. Tamas Ungar. While at TCU, she taught class piano for the Pedagogy Lab Program, Extended Education, and undergraduate classes. She also taught private lessons for college elective students and through the TCU Preparatory Department. In addition to her duties at TCU, Ms. Hayter maintained a busy schedule of private students for studios in the Fort Worth area. One of her favorite aspects about teaching is building relationships with her students and seeing their growth, not only as musicians, but as individuals. She also enjoys performing in both solo and collaborative settings, and volunteers as a church musician. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, reading, outdoor activities, hanging out with friends and family, and spoiling her nieces and nephews. 

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Denise Isaac

disaac@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Master of Music in Church Music, Westminster Choir College

Bachelor of Music in Church Music, Moravian University

 

Denise Isaac joined the New School in 2022. She holds a Master’s Degree from Westminster Choir College, where she studied with Ingrid Clarfield, and a Bachelor of Music from Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. Ms. Isaac taught elementary school for several years in Trinidad and Tobago, her native country. She worked with the Eastern West Indies Province of the Moravian Church, serving as the Minister of Music. One of her responsibilities included coordinating choral seminars focused on the important role of the choir in leading the congregation in worship.

 

Prior to joining the faculty, Ms. Isaac worked with a non-denominational church with a K-12 academy where she was responsible for preparing students to meet rigorous academic standards. The program included specialty areas such as piano skills and curricula, and primarily focused on musical training and preparation. In 2020, Ms. Isaac completed the Comprehensive Practical Teaching Program through the Frances Clark Center at NSMS. 

 

Teaching is Ms. Isaac’s life goal, her passion, and her calling. She believes that teachers have the huge responsibility of shaping and molding the minds of the next generation, especially through the study of music. She is a success-driven educator with more than 35 years of experience, and a track record of developing an intuitive connection with students, tuning into their specific learning needs. In her spare time, Ms. Isaac is an avid runner, and enjoys baking and cooking to support her ketogenic lifestyle.

Denise Isaac
Kairy Koshoeva
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Kairy Koshoeva

kkoshoeva@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

 

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, University of Missouri-Kansas City​

Artist Diploma in Piano Performance, Oberlin Conservatory of Music​

Master of Music and Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow, Russia

Kairy Koshoeva earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.  She also holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow, and an Artist Diploma certificate from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (OH). Dr. Koshoeva has garnered awards from around the globe, including the top prizes at the International Piano Competition in Vicenza, Italy, and the N. Rubinstein Competition in Paris; the Gold Medal at the 2004 Rachmaninoff Awards in Moscow; and first prize at the Chautauqua Music Festival concerto competition in New York. In 2003, her home country awarded her the prestigious title of Honored Artist of Kyrgyzstan. She has performed in Israel, France, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Switzerland, and the United States. In 2013, Dr. Koshoeva received the Marian Bowker Davidson Collaborative Pianist Award for her Kansas City performance of Bach’s  Goldberg Variations with the Owen/Cox Dance Group. She also garnered the 2015 Berta Eisberg Award for collaboration with Owen/Cox in a performance of Hindemith’s Ludus Tonalis.

 

She has studied with great musicians as Bella Zubok, Faina Kharmatz, Michael Burshtin (Kyrgyzstan/Israel), Vera Nosina (Moscow), Monique Duphil (Oberlin), and Robert Weirich (UMKC); and had the privilege of being coached by renowned pianist Lazar Berman in Weimar Master Classes.  

Dr. Koshoeva enjoys a varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher.  While living in Kansas City, she taught music at a host of institutions of higher learning, including Avila, Park, and Rockhurst Universities, the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and the University of Kansas. In 2015 she joined the faculty of The New School for Music Study. Many of her students have won prestigious piano competitions, some leading to performances in Carnegie Hall.

Click here to read a recent article profiling Dr. Koshoeva.

Phyllis Lehrer
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Phyllis Lehrer

plehrer@nsmspiano.org

Senior Advisor of Teacher Education​

Phyllis Alpert Lehrer is known internationally as a teacher, performer, clinician, author and
adjudicator. She has given master classes, workshops and enjoyed an active concert career as a
soloist and collaborative artist in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Asia and
Europe.


Ms. Lehrer is professor emerita of piano at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in
Princeton, N.J. She now serves on the artist faculty of the Westminster Conservatory, the community
music school associated with Westminster. A founding member of Young Audiences of New Jersey
and the International Society for the Study of Tension in Performance, she has presented regularly at
conferences of the Music Teachers National Association, National Conference on Keyboard
Pedagogy, and New Jersey Music Teachers Association.


Her collaboration of over 35 years with duo piano partner, Ena Bronstein Barton, includes two CD’s
featuring duets of Mozart, Schubert and Debussy, and two piano works of Laurie Altman, Mozart,
Schumann and Rachmaninoff.


Recent publications include five volumes of the great piano repertoire, Classic for the Developing
Pianist
, co-edited with Ingrid Clarfield, along with the Study Guides that accompany books 1, 2, 3, 4
published by Alfred, Inc. A fifth book, Study Guide 5 is available at Sheet Music Press. Personal
Trainer
, five volumes devoted to keyboard theory, sight playing, technique and repertoire with midi
accompaniments, co-authored with Paul Sheftel, are published by YBK publications in New York
City. Mr. Sheftel and Ms. Lehrer also co-edited 10 books of intermediate to early advanced piano
literature with accompanying CD’s for Carl Fischer: Mastering Classic Favorites and More
Mastering Classic Favorites
as well as Debussy: An Album. Ms. Lehrer was author and editor of
Chopin: An Album, also published by Carl Fischer. She wrote the practice suggestions for the four
books of Piano Etudes for the Development of Musical Fingers selected and edited by Frances
Clark, Louise Goss, and Sam Holland. Among her other edited works are Fantasie-Variations and
Sonata, No. 2, Op. 31 by Dianne Goolkasian- Rahbee, Outside the Box by Kevin Olson and
Wynn-Anne Rossi, and Dance Preludes for Piano Duet by Timothy Brown, published by FJH.
Phyllis Lehrer has contributed several chapters to A Symposium for Pianists and Teachers:
Strategies to Develop the Mind and Body for Optimal Performance
and co-authored The Inner
Game of Music Keyboard Workbook
with Barry Green.


Ms. Lehrer received a B.A. with music concentration from the University of Rochester and Eastman
School of Music and an M.S. in piano from the Juilliard School of Music. Honored as a Music
Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow in 2007, Ms. Lehrer was voted New Jersey Music
Teachers Association Teacher of the Year for 2012-2013. In 2019 she received the Westminster Merit
Award from the Westminster Alumni Association. At the National Conference on Keyboard
Pedagogy 2021, she received the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy/ Frances Clark Center
Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding dedication to the field of music and piano teaching.

Colin Levins
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Colin Levins

clevins@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Master of Music in Piano Performance, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, University of Central Missouri

Originally from the St. Louis, Missouri area, Colin Levins has performed throughout the United States and abroad. He earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory with a fully funded Graduate Teaching Assistantship. Mr. Levins also holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Central Missouri, where he graduated summa cum laude from the Honors College with concentrations in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. Major teachers include Dr. Francine Kay, Professor Sean Chen, Dr. Mia Kim, and Dr. Jennifer Judd.

A recipient of many awards and honors, recent appearances include being a 2023 winner of the Kansas City Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarship Auditions, performances in the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts and the Peabody Conservatory, and recent world premieres of solo piano works. Also a dedicated teacher, former teaching positions include the UMKC Conservatory, UMKC Conservatory Academy, Interlochen Arts Camp, and the Wentzville Academy of Arts, Music, and Education. Outside of music, Mr. Levins takes pleasure in photography as a hobby and attempts to be a runner.

Teresa Lim
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Teresa Lim

tlim@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Westminster Choir College

Master of Arts in Church Music, Santa Clara University

 

Teresa Lim joined the faculty of the New School in 2022. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and a Master of Arts in Church Music from Santa Clara University, California. She also holds teacher diplomas and degrees for voice and piano from Trinity College of Music (LTCL), ABRSM in London, and a diploma and award for Excellence in Music Teaching from the Yamaha Music Foundation, Japan. In March 2006, Ms. Lim was recognized as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) through MTNA in recognition of professional excellence in piano performance and pedagogy, theory/general musicianship, and for dedication to professional growth.


Prior to joining NSMS, Ms. Lim conducted pedagogy classes at the Yamaha Music Academy for Teachers in Singapore, and presented at the Music Teacher’s Symposium (1998) in the Asian Pacific region. Ms Lim also taught piano and music composition for Westminster Choir College’s Middle School Piano Camp, and was a guest lecturer for the Westminster Pedagogy Certificate Program, where she presented weekly pedagogy classes to intern piano teachers on the topic "Exploring Teaching Methods and Repertoire." Ms. Lim also taught private lessons and group classes at Westminster Conservatory of Music in the Young Artist Program in piano, music theory, ear training, AP courses, and early childhood music. Ms. Lim created the piano curriculum for “Piano and Pizzicati,” a course for children studying at Westminster Conservatory.

 

Ms. Lim specializes in preparing students for the RCM (Canada), ABRSM, TCM (UK), and YGE (Japan) international examinations. Ms. Lim was invited to join the Board of Examiners of the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in June 2022. She is an active adjudicator for piano festivals, auditions, and competitions organized by MTNA and the American-Asian Fine Arts Association Piano Competitions (AAFAA).

 

Ms. Lim was recently featured in Princeton Town Topics. Her student, Pablo, received the highest score for RCM Level 6 Piano in the Northeast Region in 2019, and in 2020, received the highest score in the nation for Level 7 Piano. Ms. Lim has worked with Pablo since he was six years old. Many of her other students have performed in Carnegie Hall after success in competitions.

 

In addition to teaching, Ms. Lim has served as music liturgist, choir director, piano accompanist, and cantor in Catholic churches in the United Kingdom, New Jersey, and Singapore. In June 2011, Ms. Lim was invited to conduct a one-day music workshop on “Liturgy and Music in Ministry” for Catholic musicians and choir members from 30 churches in Singapore.

Ms. Lim looks forward to working with her new colleagues at NSMS, and continuing to help shape a new generation of young musicians. Aside from being a dedicated piano teacher and musician, Ms. Lim also has a passion in spiritual direction, a love for her dogs, Benni and Gus, and is a great chef. If music teaching is her first love, being a chef is a close second.

Qin Ling
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Qin Ling

qling@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy, Texas Tech University 

Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, The University of Georgia

 

A native of China, Qin Ling began her piano training at age 5 and was an active participant and prize winner of local and national piano competitions from a young age.

 

While at the University of Georgia (UGA), studying piano pedagogy with Dr. Pete Jutras, Dr. Ling was actively involved in the UGA Community Music School where she worked enthusiastically with children in both private and group settings in the “Keyboard Kids” program. She was also involved in an online piano program of teaching lessons to students at a girls’ school in Kenya. 

 

Dr. Ling completed her DMA from Texas Tech University (TTU) where she studied piano pedagogy with Dr. Carla Davis Cash and worked as a research and teaching assistant. While at TTU, Dr. Ling worked extensively with college music majors and adult amateurs. There, she also co-ran research studies examining such topics as Recreational Music Making (RMM), motor skill development in adult piano learners, and the effects of group music instruction on quality of life in high-stressed individuals. She has studied the phenomenon of flow and play in practice and performance, vulnerability and its effects on diverse piano learners, teaching piano to students with special needs, and the Kodály method. Dr. Ling’s work has been presented at the conferences of Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP).

 

Dr. Ling frequently performs as a soloist and collaborative pianist. She has played concert repertoire on a variety of stages across the United States and Europe. She was a first prize winner at the 2020 Charleston International Music Competition and has worked with distinguished artists such as John Owings, Mikhail Mordvinov, Dr. Geoffrey Burleson, Dr. David Fung, Dr. Liza Stepanova, and Gilles Vonsattel in masterclass settings. Her primary piano teachers have included Dr. William Westney, Dr. Martha Thomas, and Dr. Sergio Ruiz. 

 

Dr. Ling joined NSMS in 2021. She enjoys working with diverse learners, looking for the potential of music making in every individual, and inspiring love for and appreciation of music. In addition to teaching, she helped organize the third annual NSMS Silent Film Celebration in 2024. Since 2022, Dr. Ling has also served as administrative support and translator for the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy. She translated for the Center’s very first Chinese webinar, “Teaching Little Ears to Hear” with Marvin Blickenstaff in May of 2022.

Charl Louw
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Charl Louw

clouw@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Co-Director of PEPS Program

 

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, University of Missouri-Kansas City​​

Master of Music in Piano Performance, University of North Texas

Charl Louw has taught and performed throughout the U.S. and South Africa as soloist, collaborative pianist, and with orchestras including the South African National Chamber Orchestra, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orleans Civic Orchestra, and University of Missouri Chamber Orchestra. He served as director of chamber music and pianist in residence for the Mid-West Chamber Ensemble and, as pianist of the Filamental Trio, collaborated on a recording project of newly commissioned repertoire by award-winning composers from Kansas City.

 

Throughout his career, Dr. Louw has received prestigious awards and scholarships, including the Kauffman Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching, MC Roode Award, and Getrude Buchanan Award. He has been a finalist and top-prize winner in piano competitions, and regularly adjudicates for piano festivals. 

Dr. Louw currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Greater Princeton Steinway Competition and Co-Director of the Program for Excellence in Piano Study (PEPS) at The New School for Music Study. He has presented lectures and master classes in South Africa and the U.S., and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, where he studied with Dr. Robert Weirich.

In 2023, Dr. Louw was recognized as a 2023 RCM Teacher of Distinction: https://www.nsmspiano.org/post/charl-louw-named-2023-rcm-teacher-of-distinction

Margie Nelson
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Margie Nelson

mnelson@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Director of NSMS Student Composition Contest

Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Westminster Choir College

 

Margie Nelson came to The New School in September of 1993, and studied with the school's founders, Frances Clark and Louise Goss. Shortly after, Mrs. Nelson earned Master’s Degree from Westminster Choir College in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy. Mrs. Nelson is the director of our annual Student Composition Contest. In addition to her work at NSMS, Mrs. Nelson teaches music at Saint Matthias in Somerset, Raritan Valley Community College, and also plays piano for her church.

 

About teaching, Mrs. Nelson says, “One of my favorite aspects of teaching is when students make their own realizations about music. I love when they share them with me. I love to laugh with my students because we are doing something so special and sacred with each other. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than collaborate about music.”


Outside of music, Mrs. Nelson enjoys spending time with her family and reading. She also stays active through swimming, biking, running, and shopping. 

Rebecca Pennington
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Rebecca Pennington

rmpennington@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Administrative Director

Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Piano Performance, University of Kansas​​

Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Concordia College

Rebecca Mergen Pennington has been a member of the faculty of the New School for Music Study since 2007. She currently serves as Administrative Director. Dr. Pennington has been a frequent performer in faculty recitals,  and teaches the popular Piano Detectives Club class for kindergarten students. She holds a DMA and MM in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas, and a BM in Music Education from Concordia College. Previous teachers include Jack Winerock and Jay Hershberger. Dr. Pennington is a frequent presenter at local and national conferences.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her three young children.

Kyu Jung Rhee
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Kyu Jung Rhee

krhee@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Doctor of Musical Arts, Master of Music, and Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Rutgers University

Kyu Jung Rhee holds a BM, MM, and DMA in Piano Performance from Rutgers University. With over 20 years of experience, she has taught piano and chamber music to students of all ages, proficiency levels, and diverse backgrounds. A native of South Korea, she has taught at Kon-Kuk University, Yewon School of the Arts, AIM (African Institute of Music), Millersville University, Lancaster International Keyboard Festival, Westminster Conservatory of Rider University, and Rutgers Community Music Program.

Many of Kyu Jung Rhee’s students have achieved remarkable success, winning competitions like the Prima Volta Music Competition, Camerata Artist International Competition, National League of Performing Arts, Crescent Concerts Annual Showcase for Exceptional Young Artists, MusicFest, Anna B. Stokes Scholarship Competition, Cecilian Music Club Competition, and Westminster Scholarship and Concerto Competitions. Her students have performed in prestigious venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Steinway Hall, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Others have excelled in ABRSM, Trinity, and RCM Examinations, while some have simply enjoyed playing the piano.

As a performer, Kyu Jung Rhee has appeared as a soloist and collaborative artist in the United States, Korea, Italy and Uganda. An avid chamber musician, she was one of the founding members of Trio I Medici, performed with the Essex String Quartet, and collaborated with numerous artists in various themed recitals in the Princeton area. She was a winner of the Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition and Corsi Etruria in Italy and a recipient of Aspen Music Festival Scholarship, Eubie Blake Scholarship and Nicholas Music Scholarship from Rutgers University. Her teachers and coaches include Theodore Lettvin, Samuel Dilworth-Leslie, Herbert Stessin, Jeannette Haien, Vivian Hornig Weilersteil, Bernard Greenhouse, and Zara Nelsova.

In addition to teaching, Kyu Jung Rhee has served as an adjudicator for numerous organizations, including PianoFest, Steinway Society, and NJMTA. She also served as the President-Elect and Conference Committee Chair of NJMTA for the 2021-2022 term, as well as Chairperson for the NJMTA Advanced Masterclass Competition and the MTNA State Student Composition Competition for numerous years. Additionally, she edited the Korean edition of “Succeeding at the Piano” by Dr. Helen Marlais (FJH Music).

Kyu Jung Rhee believes that learning and making music can extend well beyond high school and places importance on fostering a lifelong love of music.

Carla Salas-Ruiz
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Carla Salas-Ruiz

csalasruiz@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Associate Director

Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis on Piano Pedagogy, Louisiana State University
Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, Louisiana State University
Licentiate in Piano Performance, Universidad de Costa Rica
Licentiate in Piano Pedagogy, Universidad de Costa Rica


Carla Salas-Ruiz is a pianist, educator, and researcher. A native of Costa Rica, Dr. Salas-Ruiz earned her Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis on Piano Pedagogy from Louisiana State University in 2023. Her dissertation, "A Multiple Case Study of Adolescent Piano Students: Examining Motivation through the Lens of Interest Development," reflects her focus on motivation, interest development, and effective practice strategies. She also holds a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from LSU and two Licentiates in Music, one in performance and one in piano pedagogy, from the Universidad de Costa Rica. Her undergraduate thesis focused on the Costa Rican repertoire as a contribution to piano teaching in initial and intermediate stages.

Her previous teaching experience includes serving as instructor and collaborative pianist at Brazosport College (TX). She was a Graduate Teacher of Record at Louisiana State University's School of Music from 2019 to 2023, during which she received the prestigious LSU 2021 Alumni Association Teaching Assistant of the Year award. From 2015 to 2019, Dr. Salas-Ruiz was an Assistant Professor at the Universidad de Costa Rica. During her tenure, she created a new space for students to perform musical works weekly and promoted interdisciplinary collaborations between the school of music and the school of social sciences. She also served as the Music Precollege Program Coordinator, teaching beginner to advanced piano lessons and serving as a collaborative pianist for strings, wind, and brass sections. Additionally, she served as the Manager of Communications and Periodicals at the Frances Clark Center (2023-2024) and is an active member of the editorial board of the Journal of Piano Research.

She has presented her research at various national and international conferences and has been published in journals such as Visions of Research in Music Education, Piano Magazine, and Research Perspectives in Music Education. Her work emphasizes fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and healthy musicianship among her students. She is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society, a Steinway & Sons Educational Partner Teacher, and regularly serves as an adjudicator in piano festivals and competitions.

Molly Sanford
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Molly Sanford

msanford@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Administrative Manager

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Master of Music, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Bachelor of Music, Western Michigan University

Molly Sanford is an active performer, teacher, scholar, and music editor. She earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance with a cognate in musicology at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in 2024, studying with Michael Chertock. She was the Head Graduate Assistant of the Secondary Piano department for Dr. Michelle Conda from 2022-2024. Dr. Sanford completed her Master’s degree at CCM in 2019, and she holds a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University, where she studied with Lori Sims.


Dr. Sanford specializes in contemporary and American music; her most recent projects include presentations on interpreting Charles Ives’ “Concord” Sonata, a lecture recital on solo piano transcriptions of John Williams’ film music, and a CD album of Allen Sapp’s piano works. She is also an active member of MTNA, and has presented on motivation through contemporary repertoire, teaching students with visual impairments, practice strategies for adult piano students, and technology in group piano classes.


In both group and private lessons, Dr. Sanford enjoys teaching students of all ages and spreading a love for music. When she is not at the piano, she works on music editing, mixing, and mastering for film scores, instrumental works, and private recordings.

Alexa Stier
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Alexa Stier

astier@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

 

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, Yale University, expected 2027

Master of Music in Piano Performance, Yale School of Music

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Alexa Stier joined the New School for Music Study in 2023. Ms. Stier earned her Bachelor of Music degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she studied with Fali Pavri. She completed her Master of Music degree at the Yale School of Music, where she is currently a candidate of the Doctorate of Musical Arts program, studying with Professor Boris Berman and Professor Wei-Yi Yang. Ms. Stier is also the founder and artistic director of the ContemporArt Association based in Romania, which aims to contribute towards the cultivation of chamber music in her hometown through a concert series and a workshop program designed for local music students. 

Described as “simply phenomenal” (New Britain Herald), Romanian-Hungarian pianist Alexa Stier has performed extensively in the United States and across Europe. She appeared as a soloist with orchestras such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (UK), the New Britain Symphony Orchestra (USA), and Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra (Romania). Ms. Stier received first prizes in many international competitions, such as the Sheepdrove Piano Competition (UK) and the Virtuoso & Belcanto Concerto Competition (Italy). She was the recipient of the “Maurice Ohana” Special Prize at the Orléans International Piano Competition (France), and in 2021, she was a Fellow at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. 

 

Ms. Stier won Third Prize, the Prize for the best performance of a new work, and the Audience Prize at the 2023 International Messiaen Piano Competition in Grenoble, France. She performed works by Mozart, Albeniz, Bartók, Debussy, and Messiaen. https://www.maisonmessiaen.com/les-laureats/

Malissa Tong
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Malissa Tong

mtong@nsmspiano.org

Faculty

Doctor of Arts in Piano, Ball State University

Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Ohio University

Bachelor of Music, SUNY Potsdam, Crane School of Music

 

Dr. Malissa Tong joined the New School in 2022. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Tong is a dedicated music educator and pianist with a wealth of experiences that contribute to her unique professional perspective.

 

Dr. Tong earned her Doctor of Arts in Piano from Ball State University with emphases in chamber music/accompanying and music education, studying with Dr. Ray Kilburn. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Ohio University, where she studied with Dr. Christopher Fisher. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, and is a certified K-12 public school music teacher in the state of New York.

 

As a teacher, Dr. Tong has experience teaching students of all ages and levels for well over a decade. While completing her doctoral studies, she maintained a private studio of 15-20 students and taught general music, choir, and band at St. Mary school in Muncie, IN. Through her teaching internship at Ball State, she assisted professor Phoenix Park-Kim with class piano, applied piano, and piano pedagogy coursework at Indiana Wesleyan University. Additional pedagogical training includes an undergraduate concentration in pedagogy, numerous pedagogy seminars at the graduate level, and a case study in piano studio teaching for her doctoral dissertation. Most importantly, Dr. Tong loves teaching and is constantly striving to give her students the best she has to offer.

 

Dr. Tong remains active as a performer and presenter. She enjoys playing stylistically diverse programs, and her lecture recital focused on extended piano techniques. As a collaborative pianist, Dr. Tong recently played for approximately 20 violinists for the Indiana Federation of Music Clubs. Dr. Tong has presented and performed at regional and national conferences such as NCKP and MTNA, and presented at the 2022 MTNA National Conference. She adjudicated in the 2019-2020 National Federation Music Club Junior Festival, where she has been employed as treasurer for the junior festival since 2020. She also served as administrative assistant at the North American preliminary round of the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition from 2017-2019, and is currently the assistant director of the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, where she assists in organizing the annual competition for young artists.

Angela Triandafillou
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Angela Triandafillou Jones

atriandafillou@nsmspiano.org

Faculty, Admissions Director​

Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, University of Oklahoma​​

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Music Education, Ithaca College

 

Angela Triandafillou Jones holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College, as well as New York State teacher certification for K-12 music. She holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, where she was awarded a full teaching assistantship. She has spent summers at the Neighborhood Music School in Connecticut, the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, and the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina.

 

Ms. Triandafillou joined the New School for Music Study in 2011, and serves as Admissions Director. Her students actively participate in local events, and regularly receive honors in the Royal Conservatory program. In addition to her passion for teaching group and private piano lessons to children and adults, she is active in teacher education. She has presented at the national and local levels, and serves on the board of the Piano Teachers Forum of Central New Jersey. She has adjudicated for festivals and competitions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 2023, she received The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy Outstanding Service Recognition Awards.

Ms. Triandafillou frequently performs as a soloist in the New School Faculty Recital Series, serves as a substitute church pianist throughout central New Jersey, and enjoys collaborating with her husband Christopher Jones, a violinist.

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