Richard VanDyke
Piano
Richard VanDyke teaches traditional piano lessons and coordinates group piano and theory classes at Cincinnati Music Academy. Richard received his Master of Music in Piano Performance and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where his principal teachers were Elizabeth Pridonoff, Richard Morris, Sandra Rivers (chamber music) and Cleveland Page (piano pedagogy). His Bachelor of Science degree is from University of Wisconsin – Oskosh, where he studied music, chemistry and microbiology. He maintains an active musical career as a teacher with more than fifty students and as a clinician and performer, lecturing on music literature for advancing students.
The VanDyke Piano Studio participates in many local events offered by area organizations including Junior Music Experience (JME) and several activities conducted by Ohio Music Teachers Association: Showcase Recital Series, Masquerade Musicale (Halloween), Ronald McDonald House Piano Play-a-thon, Ensemble Festival and Ohio Pre-Collegiate Buckeye Auditions. His students have been cited for special achievement at the Auditions Festival, JME Evaluations and Ohio Buckeye Auditions. They have also been selected to perform in master classes offered by internationally recognized teachers.
Recognizing the importance of developing a comprehensive music instructional program, Mr. VanDyke encourages students to participate in the National Music Certificate Program (formerly called RACE). Students participating in NMCP study technical skills, repertoire from all musical eras, ear training, music history and music theory. This program is divided into 12 progressive levels beginning at Prep A and Prep B through Level 10. Students may choose to take the evaluation at the appropriate level to document their progress. Students study predominately traditional classical music but will be offered lighter pieces to introduce jazz styles and accommodate student interest during the summer months and the December holiday season.
All students participate in the Incentive and Recognition Program designed to award students for coming to lessons prepared, participating in events and achieving technical improvement. Awards are given at the annual Spring Recital and are based on the number of points earned during the year, reflecting each student’s hard work. The awards are titled Active Participant Gold Ribbon, Honor Student Bronze Medal, Special Achievement Silver Medal, Distinguished Performer Gold Medal and Young Artist Trophy.
Richard is an active member of Ohio Music Teachers Association. He serves on the Ohio Southwest District Board as a Past-President and on the Ohio State Board as the Young Artist and Collegiate Chamber Music Competition Chair. He is actively involved in the NMCP as the Cincinnati Site Coordinator.