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Dr. Lisa Kinzer, who has been a music department faculty member at Longwood for nearly 30 years, was recently inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame.
The award is given every two years to educators in the United States and Canada who “foster passion, creativity and discipline in the next generations of piano artists.” Kinzer was honored at an awards ceremony Oct. 5 in New York.
I am gratified that Steinway has now recognized what many of us have come to know about Lisa Kinzer: She is a thoughtful and wise artist with a true passion for music, her students and her colleagues.
Dr. Roger Byrne, dean of the Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences
“I am gratified that Steinway has now recognized what many of us have come to know about Lisa Kinzer: She is a thoughtful and wise artist with a true passion for music, her students and her colleagues,” said Dr. Roger Byrne, dean of the Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences, which includes the music department.
Kinzer has long been a favorite among Longwood students who study music, teaching a variety of levels of classes and serving as the collaborative pianist and accompanist to student vocal groups such as the Camerata Singers.
Dr. Kinzer’s professionalism, expertise and preparation are critical to the success of Longwood’s music students.
Dr. Pam McDermott, music department chair, associate professor of music and director of choral activities
“Dr. Kinzer’s professionalism, expertise and preparation are critical to the success of Longwood’s music students,” said music department chair Dr. Pam McDermott, associate professor of music and director of choral activities. “She sets a high bar, providing musical leadership and example beyond imagination. Along with her accompanying of faculty and guest artist recitals, her rehearsal support provides the model students need to connect instruction with performance, and propels them to new heights of musical artistry.”
Kinzer earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts and Louisiana State University, respectively. She graduated with a doctorate in musical arts in piano performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where her professors included accomplished musicians including Robert McDonald, Anne Epperson, Jack Guerry and John Salmon.
She came to Longwood with her husband, Charlie, also a music department faculty member, in 1996 and currently serves as the faculty representative to the Board of Visitors.
Kinzer maintains an active performance schedule that includes solo recitals, lecture recitals, masterclasses and numerous collaborations with artists such as soprano Julianne Baird, violinist Sergiu Schwartz, the Amernet String Quartet, James String Quartet and Duo2Go. She served as the vocal coach/accompanist on the artist faculty at the Operafestival di Roma in Italy and has been the pianist for the Summer Garden Opera Festival in Farmville since 2010.
She frequently appears with fellow Longwood faculty members David Neithamer, James Kidd and Christopher Swanson. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, Virginia Music Teachers Association, College Music Society and National Guild of Piano Teachers.
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