Jeanette Louise Yaryan, pianist, has performed on the concert stage from a young age, and is fluent in multiple styles and genres. Beginning her pianist's journey at age 3 by picking out melodies and harmonies by ear, she was Classically trained from age 4, and earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, two Master of Music degrees (the first in Solo Piano, and the second in Collaborative Piano), and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance. Prominent teachers and mentors include Norman Krieger, Kathryn Brown, Anita Pontremoli, Caroline Oltmanns, Yuki Mack, Elizabeth Pastor, and John Perry. Along the way, Jeanette also trained extensively in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pop, and Sacred Music, and has worked professionally in all of those arenas. Although she is particularly known as an avid performer and champion of contemporary music, Jeanette also loves performing the music of traditionally Classical composers. She thrives on performing both as a soloist and as a partner, and has been the pianist in her chamber group, Definiens, for over seventeen years. Most recently, Jeanette has begun developing concept performances which combine solo piano, her own spoken word, multidisciplinary collaboration, and thematic programming. Her voice is unique, and her willingness to comment on global philosophy and events has caused her to stand out among performers. One of the shows she designed, Gods and Monsters, addressed issues of gender equality, income disparity, systemic racism, and the human drive toward self-destruction through our creation and unwavering adoration of technology. In this show she collaborated with legendary jazz bassist Marshall Hawkins and famed visual artist David Reid-Marr. Jeanette is a trained composer and arranger, and frequently writes for her chamber group, as well as other musicians. Her favorite style of writing is that which includes both Jazz and Classical idioms, and she particularly enjoys writing choral music, having been fortunate to study that discipline with renowned composer Morten Lauridsen. She also studied instrumental composition with Frederick Lesemann.
A passionate educator, Jeanette began teaching private students in 1997, has taught students between ages 4 and 87, and has worked with several students with disabilities. Her work with one student led her to be invited to present at the Visually-Impaired Musicians' Lives conference in London, England, in 2015. Her extensive knowledge and experience with a vast range of styles and literature has brought her as a guest artist-teacher to prestigious institutions worldwide, including a 2022 teaching tour at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Welsh Academy of Music and Drama, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Internationally, she has presented work at ISME conferences in Malaysia, Italy, Brazil, and Scotland. Currently the Assistant Head of School, overseeing all Arts and Academic programs and faculty, and having prior served as Music Department Chair, she has served on the faculty of the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy since 2011. Although quite busy with administration, she still teaches private lessons, piano performance seminar, chamber music, and collaborative piano, and has taught advanced music theory, vocal coaching for Classical and Musical Theatre students, and group keyboard. Another course she created with visual artist David Reid-Marr was their joint Visual Art + Music class, in which teams of students created concept works, containing both visual art and music, from start to finish within five days' time, performing them at the end of the week. Her students have won numerous competitions, and have a 100% success rate of acceptance to the programs of their choice after they leave her tutelage, including programs at The Juilliard School, Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, The Cleveland Institute of Music, Peabody Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, Cincinnati Conservatory, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Manhattan School of Music, Bard College, Berklee College of Music, CalARTS, Swarthmore College, University of Miami, Chapman University, Youngstown State University, California State University in Long Beach, Hofstra University, and more. Other courses Jeanette has taught include music appreciation, group keyboard, directing choirs and orchestra, and advanced sight-singing, at institutions including University of Southern California, Idyllwild Arts Academy & Summer Program, Cypress College, El Camino College, and the California Academy for Math and Science. Adept in student personal development, Jeanette successfully managed the dormitory for upper-class honors students at Idyllwild Arts, utilizing her outstanding skills at creating and nourishing a healthy and happy community of residential faculty and students there. When Jeanette is not performing, writing, administrating, or teaching, she loves to travel, study new languages, explore new cuisine, and spend time with her cats, Luna, Phoenix, and Kujaku.