Join Eric Baumgartner, Carolyn Miller, and Kevin Olson as they present the latest Christmas piano music from Hal Leonard and Willis! Expert arrangements in a variety of levels and from a wide array of popular arrangers will be showcased.
The last webinar of the year will also bring special gifts and surprises to all who attend!
Eric Baumgartner
Presenter
Eric Baumgartner received jazz degrees from Berklee College of Music and DePaul University. He is the author and creator of Jazz Piano Basics, a series that presents jazz fundamentals in an accessible manner through short dynamic exercises. Eric is a sought-after clinician/lecturer who has presented throughout the US, Canada, England, Germany, and Australia. He and his wife Aretta live in Atlanta, Georgia where he maintains an active schedule as performer, composer, and dedicated member of the local music scene.
Carolyn Miller
Presenter
Carolyn Miller is a teacher, pianist, and composer from Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds music degrees from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. She has taught piano to students of all ages for many years, both private and in the classroom and is often asked to adjudicate at music festivals and competitions. Carolyn’s music often teaches essential technical skills, yet is fun to play, which appeals to both children and adults. Many of her compositions appear on contest lists, including the NFMC Festivals Bulletin. Fun fact: The late Regis Philbin performed her “Rolling River” and “Fireflies” in 1992 and 1993 on national television.
Kevin Olson
Presenter
KEVIN OLSON is a pianist, composer, and member of the piano faculty at Utah State University, where he teaches piano literature, pedagogy, accompanying, music theory, commercial composition, and rock & roll history, among others. Dr. Olson coordinates the piano program at Utah State University, and oversees the Utah State University Youth Conservatory, which provides piano instruction to over 150 pre-college community students. A native of Utah, he began composing at age five and at age 12 won first prize at the 1983 National PTA Convention. Since then he has been a Composer-in-Residence at NCKP, and has written music commissioned and performed by groups such as the Five Browns, American Piano Quartet, Chicago a cappella, and the Rich Matteson Jazz Festival. Besides maintaining a large studio of students with varying ages and abilities, he has also presented workshops and performed in India, China, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Charmaine Siagian
Host
Charmaine Siagian received her BM and MM degrees in piano performance from Youngstown State University and her DMA in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma. Originally from Sabah, Malaysia, Charmaine authored the Malay Folk Songs Collection published by Hal Leonard, where she is editor of educational piano.