Dr. Russell
Reed received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance at Baylor University where he studied with artist-in-residence Krassimira Jordan who familiarized him with European classical techniques and training. Dr. Russell Reed received his D.M.A in composition in 2005 from The University of Texas at Austin. While attending The University of Texas, he studied composition with Dan Welcher and Donald Grantham and served as the assistant director of The New Music Ensemble. Since graduating, Dr. Reed has received many notable honors and performances including a state sponsored performance and exhibition at the historic home of Alexander Scriabin in Moscow. In October of 2007 he premiered several of his new works for piano in recital in Monterrey, Mexico. In February 2009 his piece Princess Songs was premiered in New York City at the Poetry Project reading series, one of the oldest and most prestigious poetry venues in the United States. Recently, light the lovely candles, a piece for Soprano, Viola and Piano was nominated for a Austin Critics Table award for best original composition/score of the 2008-2009 concert season.
Russell describes his approach to teaching piano as directed toward the specific needs of each individual student rather than adherence to a strict general method or pedagogical program. He believes that patience and steadiness can help students develop a love of music-making that lasts a lifetime. He feels that learning to play the piano should also be about learning to be a whole musician -- technique, repertoire, history, theory, artistry, and certainly, if not namely, fun.