About Kathy
Dr. Kathy Edsill-Charles, NCTM, pianist-teacher, is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music where she received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance. She received a Master of Music degree in piano performance and a Bachelor of Music-Piano/Education degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Her major teachers include Joanne Baker, Richard Cass, William Doppmann, Howard Aibel, and German Diez.
She is in demand as a teacher, collaborative artist and chamber musician. She has performed concerts in Europe, Asia, the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest. Past orchestral performances include the Wartburg Community Orchestra, The Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, and the Clark College Community Orchestra. As a founding member of Music Fusian NW, she is actively working to blend the cultures of East and Western music and help bring a greater appreciation of both styles of music. She also has performed two-piano works and ensembles on the Piano Extravaganza of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Series.
Teaching Experience
For the past fourteen years, Dr. Charles has maintained a private teaching studio in Vancouver, WA. Her students have been recognized for their outstanding achievements at the district and state level. As a member of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), she is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music and she belongs to both WSMTA (Washington State Music Teachers Association) and OMTA (Oregon Music Teachers Association. Her students participate in the OMTA Syllabus testing program and other workshops presented through the organization.
Most recently, she served on the faculty at Clark College teaching applied piano and accompanying the Clark College Concert Choir and the Women’s Ensemble. Previous teaching included teaching private lessons through the Community Music Program at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, where she was also Staff Accompanist. She has served as Instructor of Music at Wartburg College (Waverly, IA) teaching applied piano, class piano and staff accompanist. She was also on faculty at the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, IA) teaching group piano, piano pedagogy and performing as staff accompanist.
Affiliations
Nationally Certified Teacher of Music
Clark County Music Teachers Association
Washington State Music Teachers Association
Oregon Music Teachers Association
Music Teachers National Association
Pi Kappa Lambda
Sigma Alpha Iota – Lifetime member
Certifications
Music Teachers National Association