Bio

Amy Stephens loves jazz and classical piano and is well-versed in both realms, performing and recording since 1998 and teaching since 1993. She is particularly fond of Third Stream music, the fusion of classical form with jazz language and sensibilities, and she has a passion for sharing the arts of composition and improvisation.

Life as a composer…

Amy is a Red Leaf Pianoworks composer, writing piano collections for pianists of all levels, beginner to performing artist. Her Third Stream piano suites include Scenes of San Francisco, A Day at the Beach, and Becoming: Suite for Solo Piano in Seven Movements. Her pedagogical collections include the Childhood Excursions series and the ‘Round the Key Circle series. Her pieces have won numerous prizes and recognition in competitions such as IAWM’s Search for New Music, The American Prize, Sheetmusicplus Press, The Robert Avalon International competition, and Composers Today.

Life as a performer…

Amy has fronted her jazz quartet, Amy Stephens Group, since 1998. The three albums of Amy’s original jazz compositions-My Many Moods, Gold Through Fire, and Amy Stephens Group debut-have earned acclaim and steady airplay on jazz radio. The group has played jazz festivals and concert series around the U.S. and is known for their originality and eclectic mix of styles. Amy’s solo album features new works for piano, including her own Becoming Suite.

Life as an educator…

Amy is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music and an RCM certified teacher and has been a piano instructor since 1993. As a graduate of the world-renowned Indiana University School of Music, Amy holds degrees in classical and jazz piano (BM classical piano, BM jazz piano, MM jazz studies, Performer’s Certificate) and feels very grateful to have studied with the father of jazz education, David N. Baker, and world-class jazz and classical pianists Lynne Arriale, Marius Nordal, Luke Gillespie and Evelyne Brancart. Amy serves as an adjudicator and judge for state piano exams and composition competitions and often speaks at state and national music conferences, sharing her pedagogical knowledge with other teachers in workshops and showcases. She very much enjoys her many bright and curious students in her Coastal California piano studio.

Teaching Info

Teaching since 1993, Amy holds many degrees from Indiana University School of Music (BM classical piano, BM jazz piano, MM jazz studies, Performer’s Certificate). She earned the designation of Nationally Certified Teacher of Music from the Music Teachers National Association and is a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM®) certified teacher. She is a Red Leaf Pianoworks composer, crafting music for pianists from primary to professional levels.

She works with students K-12, from the newest wide-eyed beginner to the seasoned competitor.

Many of Amy’s students have earned spots at prestigious college music schools such as Berklee, Eastman, NYU Steinhardt, The New School, University of Southern California Thornton, and UCLA. Her very first student from 1993 still happily plays piano!

Amy’s students receive training in reading music fluently, playing by ear, standard classical repertoire, jazz styles and improvisation, theory, composition, folk and pop styles. Intermediate and advanced students also learn to read from lead sheets and create their own arrangements. If desired, Amy’s students can take yearly piano examinations through MTAC and RCM® and enter music competitions.

Contact Amy about lessons: amy@amystephens.com