Fisher Piano Studio at Ohio University
Miguel Castro Bautista
Miguel Castro is currently pursuing the Master of Music degree in piano performance and pedagogy at the Ohio University School of Music where he is a student of Dr. Christopher Fisher. He began his musical studies at the age of ten at the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela in the city of Puerto Ordaz and studied piano with Professor Armando Navas Luque. At 12 years old, he performed his first public piano recital. He has performed recitals in Venezuela, Peru and Brazil. His musical education has been conducted by Master Leopoldo Igarza, José Luis Presa, María Luisa Padrón and Gerardo Gerulewicz; and his piano education has been taught by Gioconda Vásquez, David Ascanio and Igor Lavrov. Miguel Castro graduated from “José Ángel Lamas” Superior School of Music, achieving with honors the title of Piano Performer. He studied Master in Music in piano performance at the Simón Bolívar University under the tutelage of Russian pianist Igor Lavrov.
He has attended master clases taught by Héctor Villasana, Claudio Carbó Montaner, Guíomar Narváez, Guadalupe Parrondo, Doménico Lombardi, Maura Pansini, Franco Medori, Alexandre Dossin and Vivian Weilerstein. In July 2011, he won the 1st Prize in the “III Rosario Marciano National Competition” (Venezuela). In November of that year, he received the Student Merit Award granted by the Central University of Venezuela in the Artistic-Cultural Mention. Moreover, he has performed as a soloist with the Symphonic Orchestra of Paraguaná, the Symphonic Orchestra of Barinas, the Symphonic Orchestra of Falcón and the Youth Symphonic Orchestra Inocente Carreño. In December 2017, he participated in the IV Federico Chopin Competition in Lima-Peru. In January 2019, he participated in the XIV Santa Catarina International Festival in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil.
He worked as a piano accompanist in the Fedora Alemán Lyrical Singing Chair conducted by Professor Lotty Ipinza during the academic year 2014-2015. He was the titular pianist of the Youth Symphonic Band Simón Bolívar during the years 2014-2015. He obtained a Certificate in Orchestral Conducting by the Faculty of Humanities and Education of the Central University of Venezuela in 2015, under the tutelage of Master Miguel Ángel Monroy and Juan Francisco Sans. He was a piano accompanist in the Orchestral Conducting Chair conducted by Maestro Alfredo Rugeles at the Simón Bolívar University. He was a piano teacher in the EEMMAL and he conducted his own Piano Cathedra in the “Juan Manuel Olivares” National Conservatory of Music. He lived in Lima where he worked as a Piano Teacher in the Extension Courses at the National Conservatory of Music of Peru during the years 2018 and 2019.
He has attended master clases taught by Héctor Villasana, Claudio Carbó Montaner, Guíomar Narváez, Guadalupe Parrondo, Doménico Lombardi, Maura Pansini, Franco Medori, Alexandre Dossin and Vivian Weilerstein. In July 2011, he won the 1st Prize in the “III Rosario Marciano National Competition” (Venezuela). In November of that year, he received the Student Merit Award granted by the Central University of Venezuela in the Artistic-Cultural Mention. Moreover, he has performed as a soloist with the Symphonic Orchestra of Paraguaná, the Symphonic Orchestra of Barinas, the Symphonic Orchestra of Falcón and the Youth Symphonic Orchestra Inocente Carreño. In December 2017, he participated in the IV Federico Chopin Competition in Lima-Peru. In January 2019, he participated in the XIV Santa Catarina International Festival in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil.
He worked as a piano accompanist in the Fedora Alemán Lyrical Singing Chair conducted by Professor Lotty Ipinza during the academic year 2014-2015. He was the titular pianist of the Youth Symphonic Band Simón Bolívar during the years 2014-2015. He obtained a Certificate in Orchestral Conducting by the Faculty of Humanities and Education of the Central University of Venezuela in 2015, under the tutelage of Master Miguel Ángel Monroy and Juan Francisco Sans. He was a piano accompanist in the Orchestral Conducting Chair conducted by Maestro Alfredo Rugeles at the Simón Bolívar University. He was a piano teacher in the EEMMAL and he conducted his own Piano Cathedra in the “Juan Manuel Olivares” National Conservatory of Music. He lived in Lima where he worked as a Piano Teacher in the Extension Courses at the National Conservatory of Music of Peru during the years 2018 and 2019.
Taae Hamid
Taae Hamid grew up in Gallipolis, Ohio. He is a freshman piano major within the Honors Tutorial College and School of Music at Ohio University where he is a student of Dr. Christopher Fisher. Taae’s former piano instructors include Teodora Owen, Cheryl Jarvis, and Allen Strait. He frequently collaborates with many musicians throughout his community, and was named the student accompanist of his high school choir during his junior and senior years of high school. Taae frequently plays in different churches, and has also accompanied the string and vocal students at his local theater. His primary interests besides piano include stargazing, reading, and running. Taae is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree.
Xuan He
Xuan He is currently working toward the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Arts (Artist Track) at Ohio University where she studies piano with Dr. Christopher Fisher and musicology with Dr. Garrett Field.
She completed her Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy at Florida State University where she studied with Dr. Heidi L.Williams. In 2016, Xuan graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance at Nazareth College of Rochester. As a native of China, Xuan also holds a degree in Musicology (music education track) from Shandong Normal University. During her years at FSU, Xuan taught private piano lessons to students of all ages and worked as the choir accompanist at Tallahassee Chinese Christian Church.
She completed her Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy at Florida State University where she studied with Dr. Heidi L.Williams. In 2016, Xuan graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance at Nazareth College of Rochester. As a native of China, Xuan also holds a degree in Musicology (music education track) from Shandong Normal University. During her years at FSU, Xuan taught private piano lessons to students of all ages and worked as the choir accompanist at Tallahassee Chinese Christian Church.
Yun-Ju Liao
Yun-Ju Liao is a graduate student of Dr. Christopher Fisher at the Ohio University School of Music where she is a recipient of a graduate performance scholarship. She hold a bachelor's degree in piano performance from the National Taiwan University of Arts where she also studied violin and music education. During her undergraduate studies, she collaborated with choirs, instrumentalists, vocal soloists and in piano ensembles. In addition to concerts and recital appearances, she has performed in hospitals, nursing homes, and social parties. She has maintained a piano and violin studio since graduation.
Zehao Liu
Zehao Liu grew up in the Cangzhou city of Hebei, China where she began the piano studies at the age of 5. She is currently pursuing the graduate performance certificate at Ohio University as a student of Dr. Christopher Fisher.
Anh Nguyen
Anh Nguyen is a third-year doctoral student at Ohio University. She started studying Piano Performance since age 5 in Vietnam. She was classically trained at Ho Chi Minh city Conservatory by Ms. Kim Thanh Le who was a highly respected senior Vietnamese piano teacher, and Dr. Eun-Young Joo who was a descendant of Heinrich Neuhaus’ pedagogic line and Viennese tradition. In 2015, Anh moved to the United States and continued to study the art of piano playing with Dr. Tuyen Tonnu and Dr. Duce Geoffrey at Illinois State University. At Ohio University, she studies with Dr. Christopher Fisher. She has received scholarships and assistantships for her entire studying both in Vietnam and United States, including summer assistantship and scholarship at OPUS Chamber Music Camp 2018 in Illinois and at the Summit Music Festival 2019 in New York.
Besides being a pianist, Anh Nguyen holds a Bachelor degree in Thermal Engineering and enjoys working on scholarly research in music. She had her research papers presented at the 17th International Conference of the Asia-Pacific Society for Ethnomusicology (APSE) 2014 in Thailand, and Global Arts Festival 2019 at Ohio University. At Ohio University, she studies Musicology with Dr. Garrett Field.
Besides being a pianist, Anh Nguyen holds a Bachelor degree in Thermal Engineering and enjoys working on scholarly research in music. She had her research papers presented at the 17th International Conference of the Asia-Pacific Society for Ethnomusicology (APSE) 2014 in Thailand, and Global Arts Festival 2019 at Ohio University. At Ohio University, she studies Musicology with Dr. Garrett Field.
Lydia Sander
A native of Lancaster, Ohio, Lydia Sander is a sophomore piano major in the Honors Tutorial College and School of Music at Ohio University where she is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree. Lydia is a student of Dr. Christopher Fisher, with whom she has studied since 2012. Former teachers include Prof. George Haddad, Ruth Manahan, John Funk, and Kathryn Rarick.
Lydia has completed The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program Grade 8, 9, and 10 piano performance assessments with first class honors. Throughout her years of studying piano, she has collaborated with instrumentalists, vocalists, choirs, and has performed for various churches, special events, recitals, and competitions. She maintains a vibrant piano studio in Lancaster and Athens, Ohio, and is the current collaborative pianist for the Ohio University Women's Ensemble.
Lydia is also a proficient harpist and serves as the principle harpist for the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. Past instructors include Lydia Weaver Haywood and Hee Jin Yoon. She has been awarded the certificate of honor at Bob Jones University Summer Music Camp – Harp Division (2011), CHEO Showcase winner of instrument division - harp (2011), and first place apprentice category winner in the U.S. National Scottish Harp Championship (2010). Notable performances include: The Cardinal Health Orchestra, NPAC's 2018 production of The Fantasticks, The Ohio Society Daughters of the American Revolution conferences and events, The Lancaster Celtic Festival, as well as weddings and corporate events.
www.instrumentsofexcellence.com
Lydia has completed The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program Grade 8, 9, and 10 piano performance assessments with first class honors. Throughout her years of studying piano, she has collaborated with instrumentalists, vocalists, choirs, and has performed for various churches, special events, recitals, and competitions. She maintains a vibrant piano studio in Lancaster and Athens, Ohio, and is the current collaborative pianist for the Ohio University Women's Ensemble.
Lydia is also a proficient harpist and serves as the principle harpist for the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. Past instructors include Lydia Weaver Haywood and Hee Jin Yoon. She has been awarded the certificate of honor at Bob Jones University Summer Music Camp – Harp Division (2011), CHEO Showcase winner of instrument division - harp (2011), and first place apprentice category winner in the U.S. National Scottish Harp Championship (2010). Notable performances include: The Cardinal Health Orchestra, NPAC's 2018 production of The Fantasticks, The Ohio Society Daughters of the American Revolution conferences and events, The Lancaster Celtic Festival, as well as weddings and corporate events.
www.instrumentsofexcellence.com
Laura Silva
Laura Silva is a native of Caracas, Venezuela where she developed her musical interests of teaching, solo repertoire, chamber music, orchestral and choral music, and accompanying. Laura is currently a second year piano performance and pedagogy graduate student of Dr. Christopher Fisher at the Ohio University School of Music. She holds degrees from the Juan Jose Landaeta Conservatory, Central University of Venezuela (Bachelor in Social Psychology) and a Master of Music from the Simon Bolivar University. She has studied piano with Carlos Urbaneja, Elizabeth Guerrero and Abraham Abreu; harpsichord with Rubén Guzmán, Bruno Procopio, Jacques Ogg, Ketil Haugsand and Alessandro Santoro, and participated in master classes with Vadym Kholodenko, Manuel Laufer, Edith Peña, Kristiina Junttu, Laura Mikkola, Michel Beroff, Prisca Benoit, Roger Muraro, Gabriela Montero, Carlos Duarte, Walter Blankenheim, Frank Fernández and Judith Jaimes.
As pianist of the main choirs of Schola Cantorum of Venezuela Foundation, principal pianist of the Teresa Carreño Symphony Orchestra and a regular guest for other orchestras from "El Sistema", Laura has had the opportunity to participate in important festivals and concerts in Europe, Asia and the United States, under the baton of leading conductors including the Grammy Award winning artist, Gustavo Dudamel, music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. She has been a piano teacher at the Caracas Mozarteum Music School where she has conducted an innovative Piano Ensembles Project.
Laura holds a graduate teaching assistantship at OU School of Music as a piano group instructor for college students and a collaborative pianist of University Singers and Choral Union. She is also a collaborative pianist for college and graduate students at OU. She has continued developing the Piano Ensembles project for the Athens Community School of Music, with the OU MTNA Collegiate Chapter. The project was presented in four Conferences in the US and two concerts at OU during the academic year. Laura also teaches private lessons at the ACMS. During the summer, she offered group piano safari classes, as well piano ensemble classes, and was the collaborative pianist for the Summer Musical Theater Camp.
http://lauraspiano.wix.com/laurasilva
https://vimeo.com/laurasilva
https://soundcloud.com/laurasilva-547662042
As pianist of the main choirs of Schola Cantorum of Venezuela Foundation, principal pianist of the Teresa Carreño Symphony Orchestra and a regular guest for other orchestras from "El Sistema", Laura has had the opportunity to participate in important festivals and concerts in Europe, Asia and the United States, under the baton of leading conductors including the Grammy Award winning artist, Gustavo Dudamel, music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. She has been a piano teacher at the Caracas Mozarteum Music School where she has conducted an innovative Piano Ensembles Project.
Laura holds a graduate teaching assistantship at OU School of Music as a piano group instructor for college students and a collaborative pianist of University Singers and Choral Union. She is also a collaborative pianist for college and graduate students at OU. She has continued developing the Piano Ensembles project for the Athens Community School of Music, with the OU MTNA Collegiate Chapter. The project was presented in four Conferences in the US and two concerts at OU during the academic year. Laura also teaches private lessons at the ACMS. During the summer, she offered group piano safari classes, as well piano ensemble classes, and was the collaborative pianist for the Summer Musical Theater Camp.
http://lauraspiano.wix.com/laurasilva
https://vimeo.com/laurasilva
https://soundcloud.com/laurasilva-547662042
Alexandra Taggart
Alexandra Taggart is a graduate piano performance and pedagogy student of Dr. Christopher Fisher at Ohio University. She holds a graduate assistantship with which she teaches group piano and accompanies in the School of Music. Alexandra was awarded honorable mention for her concerto performance in Ohio University’s 2018-2019 Student Soloist Competition.
Alexandra completed her undergraduate degrees at Florida State University where she studied piano with Dr. Heidi Williams. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs with a concentration in Italian. She was named a Fulbright semi-finalist for the Italy English Teaching Assistant award for the 2018-2019 academic year.
While at FSU Alexandra participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. She presented musicology research at university conferences and taught an interdisciplinary research colloquium. She gave piano performances in the university and community and played clarinet in FSU’s concert band.
This summer Alexandra will participate in the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. She will serve as president of Ohio University’s collegiate chapter of the Music Teachers National Association for the 2019-2020 academic year.
www.alexandrataggart.com
Alexandra completed her undergraduate degrees at Florida State University where she studied piano with Dr. Heidi Williams. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs with a concentration in Italian. She was named a Fulbright semi-finalist for the Italy English Teaching Assistant award for the 2018-2019 academic year.
While at FSU Alexandra participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. She presented musicology research at university conferences and taught an interdisciplinary research colloquium. She gave piano performances in the university and community and played clarinet in FSU’s concert band.
This summer Alexandra will participate in the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. She will serve as president of Ohio University’s collegiate chapter of the Music Teachers National Association for the 2019-2020 academic year.
www.alexandrataggart.com
