Bonnie Kellert Introduction

by Matthew Harre

I am sorry to be unable to attend the AMSF Special Event on November 20, 2010, featuring my good friend Bonnie Kellert in her lecture and recital, Chopin with Panache. However, I would like to introduce her to you with these written remarks.

Bonnie and I had the same teacher, though she in her childhood years and me in my adult years. We share high admiration for this teacher, Alexander Lipsky. After studying with Lipsky, Bonnie went on to study with Emerson Myers, who was also Frank Conlon's teacher at Catholic University. To have survived intact these two powerful men is a remarkable accomplishment.

Afterwards, Bonnie was recipient of a full, four-year scholarship at the Peabody Conservatory of Music where she studied with Leon Fleisher and earned B.M. and M.M. degrees in Piano Performance.

Ms. Kellert gives concerts, master classes and presentations, such as the one on November 20, worldwide. She has played with orchestras around the country, in Europe and in Asia.

She is currently an independent piano teacher after having been a faculty member for twenty-two years at the Levine School of Music. Her students are consistent prizewinners and have performed in Master Classes for Ruth Laredo, Susan Starr, Brian Ganz and Leon Bates at the MTNA National Convention. Miss Kellert has been published in "KeyBoard Companion" and the "Piano Pedagogy Forum". Currently she is the president of the Washington Music Teachers Association.

Bonnie and I, acquaintances for many years, have become good friends working together for the Washington Music Teachers Association. She does a stellar job as president. She pushed through many changes in bringing WMTA into the 21st century, and she deserves high marks for these changes.

Please enjoy and learn from Bonnie's presentation.