From left (seated), Tess Drzymala, Dr. Lisa Withers, Urmila Bharathan; (standing) Grace-Marie Mills, Sarah-Dale Mills, Charlotte DeForest, Natalie DeForest, Molly Deegan, Carrington Austin, and Alisha Freitas. Not pictured: Paris Eve Reinhard.
An Emory & Henry music professor recently served as guest teacher of the Second Annual Masterclass for Middle and High School Students sponsored by The Piano School of Salem, Va.
Dr. Lisa Withers, an E&H piano professor, provided instruction to students in the masterclass, which featured the work of composer Amy Beach (1867-1944).
Four piano students of Sarah Reaser O'Brien performed selections from Beach's Opus 36, and each received personal instruction from Withers in front of the class.
"One of the topics I am currently researching is women composers. Amy Beach is important because she was really America's first prominent female composer," said Withers, "and I want these young women to know that they can compose, too."
Withers teaches music theory, piano class, and private piano in Emory & Henry's Music Department.. She is active as a recitalist, chamber musician, and adjudicator and has performance and research interests in French piano music of the 19th and 20th centuries.
