Heather Rogers Riley

TEACHING

I've run a flourishing private piano studio for over 25 years, which is currently located in Jamaica Plain, MA. 

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Previously, I was on the faculty at Indian Hill Music School (now Groton Hill Music Center) from 2002-2019, where I taught private piano students, chamber ensembles and performance workshops.  I was also Chair of the Piano Department from 2004-2015, where I created important programming for students, including:

• Piano Performance Workshops

• the Piano Certification Curriculum

• the Honors Piano Competition

• SummerDayMusic 

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I'm an active member of local professional music organizations, where I collaborate with other teachers, create vital music programs for the community, receive professional development, and provide access for my students to top-notch events.  Some of my work:

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Massachusetts Music Teachers Association:

• President, 2020-2022​

• President-Elect, 2018-2020

• Chair, Judged Festival, 2016-2020

• Judged Festival Repertoire Committee, 2010-2020

• Vice-President of Membership, 2014-2016

• Chair, Royal Conservatory of Music program, 2011-2013

 

New England Piano Teachers Association:

• Chair, 20th/21st Century Recital

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Royal Conservatory of Music:

• Founding Teacher of the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program

• State Representative, 2011-2013

• Chair, MMTA, 2011-2013 

 

​During this time, I helped the state participation in the program triple in size and oversaw several exam centers.

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Walla Walla University, Washington:

• Assistant Director, Piano Preparatory Division, 1997-2000

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STUDENTS

My students frequently stand out for their accomplishments in recitals and notable competitions, including:

• Highest marks in the state in the Royal Conservatory of Music Program. 

• the MMTA Judged Festival

• the MMTA Bay State Competition

• Prizes in the Miclot International Music Competition, American Protege International Piano Competitions, the AADGT International Festivals, and the Crescendo International Competitions, with performances at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC, and Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA.  

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Students have also been accepted to prestigious programs, such as:

• Interlochen, Summer Intensive Program

• Jacobs Academy, Indiana University

• Point-Counterpoint, chamber music summer program

• University of Houston, Pre-College Piano Institute

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To see more, please visit the Student Achievements page, or listen to them perform on the Video page!

 

 

PERFORMING

I've performed solo and chamber recitals across the United States, including the Boston area, California, Texas, and Washington.  

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One of my favorite series of performances ever was a program of Spanish music I gave with my husband, guitarist William Riley.

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While living in the Northwest, I performed and competed throughout the region, with the most memorable achievement winning the 1999 Oregon East Symphony Concerto Competition, and performing Scriabin’s Concerto in F-sharp minor with the Oregon East Symphony.  

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Other performance highlights:

• Soloist with the Indian Hill Chamber Orchestra in Bach’s Double Keyboard Concerto in C minor under the direction of Bruce Hangen;  

• 4-hand and 2 piano concerts;

• Chamber music concerts of Women composers

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 LISTEN to a sample of my performances!

 

PERSONAL

When I'm not teaching or practicing, I enjoy taking walks around Arnold Arboretum & Jamaica Pond, visiting farmers' markets, and enjoying the vibrant Jamaica Plain neighborhood.  I'm especially happy staying home, reading, and playing with our two cats.