Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Rogers Riley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Heather. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been drawn to the piano from very early as a young child, even before I started lessons – I have wonderful memories of listening to my dad play Beethoven on our piano, and having such a strong desire to want to play too! Once I started piano lessons, my love for music continued to grow stronger over the years, and when I started college, I realized that being a musician – doing something artistic and expressive – was what I wanted and needed to do for the rest of my life. That decision merged with my other life-long desire to be a teacher, to share my knowledge and work in a learning environment. I’ve been following these two passions ever since.
Subsequently, I earned my Bachelor of Music Performance degree in Piano from Walla Walla University, and then my Master of Music degree in Piano from The Boston Conservatory. In 1997, I started teaching in the Preparatory Division at Walla Walla University (WA), and then became the Assistant Director. That early experience was a truly inspiring beginning: it has motivated me to be the best teacher I can be by continuously improving and growing, and pass on that passion to my students, helping them discover their artistic potential and a life-long enjoyment for making music.
Currently, I’m a full-time private piano instructor with a piano studio that I run in Jamaica Plain, and I’ve also been on the faculty at Indian Hill Music School, in Littleton, MA since 2002. Other positions include Chair of the Indian Hill Piano Department from 2004-2015, and State Representative for The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program, 2011-2013. I’m frequently called to be an adjudicator for competitions, and to give masterclasses for local teachers. I also enjoy being an active member of New England Piano Teachers Association and Massachusetts Music Teachers Association, volunteering on recital committees and serving as a board member. It is an honor to have just been voted as the 2017 Teacher of the Year by the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think the biggest struggle I had was right after I moved to Boston in 2000 to start my Master’s degree at The Boston Conservatory. After only about 3-4 months into my first year, I had a health issue that forced me to withdraw from classes temporarily. This was extremely discouraging, because any time you take away from practicing regularly is a real setback. You’ve heard the expression, “Use it, or lose it” – not practicing piano meant that some of my technical skills would diminish a little. I felt like it the worst time for this to happen! Being in music, and especially in a conservatory setting, is highly competitive, and I was primed and eager to excel, to throw myself into my lessons and classes, and launch into the next stage of my career. I’d never, ever taken a break from piano before, so this was a major upset to my momentum. It took most of that first year for me to recover and feel healthy again. Surprisingly, the setback I felt in my confidence was even greater than with my piano technique, and it was a real struggle mentally and physically to get back to where I was before. But I did it, and successfully finished my degree two years later. Now, I can reflect on the experience and identify some positive things I learned from what was otherwise a discouraging obstacle: I gained an improved perspective on my work-health balance (something that’s notoriously difficult for musicians!), and I learned how to practice more efficiently and effectively with less effort – which I’m now able to pass on to my students!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Heather Rogers Riley – Classical Piano Studio – what should we know?
I offer private piano lesson instruction at all levels, for both youth and adult students. I also teach chamber music, performance coaching, exam preparation, and serve as a judge/adjudicator for local and regional competitions. My youth students perform frequently in recitals and competitions, achieving highest marks in the state from the Royal Conservatory of Music Development Program, and winning awards in notable competitions such as the MMTA Judged Recitals, MMTA Bay State Competition, and the American Protégé International Piano Competition with performances at Carnegie Hall in NYC.
My goal is to help each student develop beautiful technique, self-awareness, powerful practice skills, and expressive artistry. I really feel like I’m teaching life-skills, because so many of these concepts cross over to all areas of school, work and life!
It’s important to me that my students have a healthy balance of positive reinforcement and constructive criticism. I want my students to know I care about them both musically and personally! I think what sets me apart is that I provide the necessary structure that will both challenge and motivate students so they can achieve their full potential I’m especially proud that I’ve been a part of someone’s musical journey, and hopefully touched their life in a meaningful and lasting way!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband, Will Riley, is my #1 supporter! He’s a wonderful classical guitarist and an experienced, dedicated teacher as well, and since we both do similar work, we completely understand each other. I love being able to discuss teaching and music ideas with him – he’s an excellent sound-board for problem solving and brainstorming, provides endless encouragement, and is always there to help me with anything I need.
I also have two mentors who played major roles in shaping who I am as a pianist and teacher:
My college piano professor, Dr. Leonard Richter, who believed in me, gave me the excellent technical and musical skills I still use today, and made it possible for me to believe I could “be” a professional pianist!
And my college pedagogy and chamber music professor, Debra Bakland – an amazing teacher and deeply insightful person, she taught me how to feel and to listen, both to the music and to the student. She told me once, “To be a good teacher, you have to love people.” I try to live by what she taught me every day.
Contact Info:
- Address: Pondside, Jamaica Plain
- Website: www.HeatherRogersRiley.com
- Phone: 781-789-0857
- Email: HrrRiley@gmail.com
- Facebook: @HeatherRogersRileyPiano
- Twitter: @Heather4Piano
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