Pianoforte Denver

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

Dr. Carol Ann Barry has a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, Literature, and Pedagogy. Dr. Barry is a member of the Music Teachers National Association the Colorado State Association, and the Denver Music Teachers Association. Students may participate in performances, activities and festivals.

Dr. Barry has researched and studied the work of pedagogue Abby Whiteside and works with one of her last surviving students, pianist Sophia Rosoff. The approach emphasizes a natural, tension-free approach to to the piano. This allows students to develop a warm, full sound from the very beginning of study. Students who have studied previously and find that their abilities have plateaued will find this approach very helpful in opening up sound and minimizing technical difficulties.

Dr. Barry teaches with a multi-sensory approach that allows students with different learning styles. Young beginners are taught ith an aural approach similar to Suzuki, with reading skills added as each individual student is ready.

Dr. Barry teaches at her home studio in the Washington Park area, 11 blocks west of the University of Denver. Additionally private study is available in private homes in the Cherry Hill Village area. Students with grand pianos will benefit the most from instruction.

A warm and caring family atmosphere promotes student interest and enthusiasm. Parents are welcome to be an important support system during lessons and home practice.

My Musical Education Background

Carol Ann Barry, Pianist



Pianist Carol Ann Barry is a Nationally Certified member of MTNA. Her pianistic training has included several degree programs as well as study abroad. Selected to serve as a Rotary International Fellow, she studied at the Goethe Institute in Munich, and the Hochschule fur Musik und Darsteleende Kunst in Hamburg, Germany. Mrs. Barry is interested in the pedagogical work of internationally renowned pedagogue Abby Whiteside. She currently studies in New York with pianist Sophia Rosoff.

Dr. Barry is a frequent presenter at music conferences at the state and national levels Her creative teaching style has enhanced her ability to work with children with diverse learning needs. Dr. Barry served on the organizational committee of the 2005 WPPC Conference in Anaheim, California, and has presented several papers for the organization, including the lecture, Outlining-A Crucial Practice Technique, at the 2009 national conference in Arizona. A lecture recital featuring the Preludes, Op. 64, by Cesar Cui, was presented at the College Music Society national conference in 2010.

Between 1995 and 2000, Dr. Barry served as the Director of Keyboard Studies at the Columbia Institute of Fine Arts, in Falls Church, Virginia. During her tenure at Columbia, she developed and directed the Columbia Pedagogy Series, which served as an outreach to teachers and musicians throughout the Washington area. She was the founding director of the Columbia Concert Series at CIFA, which presented some of Washington’s finest artists and performance ensembles.

Orchestral appearances have included the McLean Symphony, Reston Community Orchestra, and the Columbia Orchestra in performances of Addinsell's “Warsaw” Concerto, the Carnival of the Animals, by Camille Saint-Saens, Concerto in D Minor, K. 466 by Mozart, and Chopin's F Minor Piano Concerto.

Carol Ann Barry is available for House Concerts featuring classical recital material in Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder. Collaborative performances are also possible. For more information please contact her at (contact me).

Genres and Subjects Taught

Pianoforte Denver offers instruction in acoustic piano, theory and musicianship. Theory is an important part of each lesson and is coordinated with technical studies. An expansive sampling of literature is offered, providing a broad base of musical experiences.

Students are encouraged to make collaborative literature a part of their curriculum. This includes duets, accompanying choirs, church work and chamber music with a variety of instrumentations.

Lesson Rates

Pianoforte Denver is a year-around program. Students receive 34 lessons during the school year, with 36 lessons scheduled in the calendar. The additional 2 lessons allow for 2 absences by Dr. Barry during the school year. Any additional absences by Dr. Barry will be made-up. Students are scheduled for 4 to 6 summer lessons, flexibly scheduled to accommodate summer camps trips etc. Summer sign-up is scheduled during early May.

Lesson Lengths: First and second year students may be scheduled for a 45 minute lesson although hour lessons are preferred for students over the age of 7. After 2 years of study, or beginning at age 8, students must take an hour lesson. High School student lesson lengths are based on the student's level and difficulty of literature studied. Lesson lengths of one hour, 1.5 hours or 2 hours are determined at the beginning of each school year. Students desiring to audition at the university level need at least 1.5 hours weekly.

Tuition is based on lesson length and location. Students studying privately in their homes are charged a higher rate to accommodate travel time to and between students. For rates, please contact Dr. Barry at (contact me).

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

Pianoforte Denver offers lessons to pre-school aged children that focuses on aural learning using the Suzuki approach. Students are introduced to reading based on individual readiness.

Many students begin reading as early as age 6, with some students benefiting from an aural approach until age 8. All students receive reading and theory instruction by age 8.

College Preparatory students are meticulously prepared based on the type of music program (liberal arts programs versus performance programs). In 2012, Dr. Barry prepared three students for college auditions. The three young men will be studying at University of Chicago, University of Virginia and Messiah College. Previous graduates have attended James Madison University, Northwestern University, and the Curtis Institute.

My Certifications and Awards

Dr. Barry is a Nationally Certified Teacher of the Music Teachers National Association. Other affiliations include the College Music Society and the World Piano Pedagogy Conference. She has given presentations for national conferences for both organizations.

Barry specializes in the principles of technical and musical freedom espoused by pedagogues Abby Whiteside and Sophia Rosoff.
Her students have been selected to play at national conferences, workshops and masterclasses.

My Musical Influences

The principles of playing with technical ease and physical freedom has been a major influence both in my own playing as well as my teaching. Students are encouraged to be conscious of unnecessary tension from the earliest lessons.

Mrs. Barry is known for her ability to develop transfer pianists quickly, increasing their sound and fluency.

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