Pianist April Barnes

holds her Bachelor's of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studied both solo and chamber music. Her versatility as a pianist has taken her to many different venues in the United States and Europe. She recently performed Saint-Saens' 2nd Piano Concerto with the Beatrice Regional Orchestra under the direction of Kevin Boesiger. April also studied abroad at the International Piano Academy in Vienna, Austria and performed at the famed Bösendorfer Saal.

During the summers she accompanies pianist and husband Paul Barnes to Europe where they often perform together. The Vienna International Piano Academy , the Amalfi Coast Music Festival, and the Piano Plus Festival in Corfu, Greece are some of their favorites.

A skilled instructor as well, she has taught piano since 1992 to students of all ages and skill-levels. A member of the esteemed National Guild of Piano Teachers, Music Teachers National Association and Nebraska Music Teachers Association, April encourages her students to participate in the Festivals and National Piano Playing Auditions each year. A life-long lover of jazz, April also loves incorporating jazz in her teaching.

In 1994, April was sent to study with Elizabeth Mueller Grace of Kansas City and Shirley Harrison of Lincoln, NE where she was taught the techniques of renowned pedagogues Dorothy Taubman and Tobias Matthay. April now instructs her own students in this manner, specializing in the technique of reducing injury and tension in piano playing through proper use of arm weight.

In addition to teaching, April also has over twenty years experience as a professional church musician. Currently, she is the pianist and choir accompanist at Good Shepherd Presbyterian church in Lincoln, NE. She has also served as choir accompanist and has led worship services at Christ Community Church in Beatrice, NE.

She is also passionately devoted to gardening.