Press Release

The Carey Institute of Fine Arts (CIFA) will offer a new beginning group piano class for adults starting the week of August 20th on the Hattiesburg campus of William Carey University.
           
Group classes will introduce and reinforce musical concepts, and will provide instruction in technique skills at the keyboard, sight-reading, theory, and ear training. 

The classes will be led by Dr. Ellen Price Elder, classical pianist and former music faculty at the University of Michigan, U of M Dearborn, Eastern Michigan University and Schoolcraft College.  Elder is assistant professor of piano at Carey, and will be assisted in the class by WCU piano pedagogy interns.

New students will be evaluated by Elder before classes begin and interviews for placement positions have already begun.  No previous piano experience is necessary to benefit from this program.  However, space in the class is limited.  The class will meet once a week for one hour with flexible scheduling beginning the week of August 20.

For those interested in private study, new student auditions are also currently taking place.  Private instruction offerings through CIFA include voice, piano, composition, organ, and guitar, as well as woodwind and brass instruments. Faculty includes members of the Winters School of Music as well as other highly qualified instructors from the area.

 Amanda Freeny, CIFA administrator and piano/voice instructor, said, “At CIFA, 
we believe that every person has the potential for musical ability and accomplishment. 
Our faculty is dedicated to help students reach their highest potential and equip them with musicianship skills that can be applied to all areas of music.”
           
Tuition prices for private lessons range from $130 to $350 for ten weeks of instruction.  Tuition for the adult piano group class is $270 for ten weeks of instruction, plus the cost of materials.
For more information regarding the group class or private study please contact
 
Amanda Freeny at amanda.freeny@wmcarey.edu or 601-318-6138, or Dr. Ellen Price Elder at ellen.elder@wmcarey.edu or 601-318-6179.