Formed in 2019 in Orem, Utah, the Collaborative Pianists Guild of Utah is an L3C trade association (tax-exempt) that supports its members with professional resources and continuing education. We advocate for professionalism in the music field between collaborative pianists and other musicians and their teachers.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Collaborative Pianists Guild of Utah is to raise awareness, expand vision, and promote excellence in the art of collaborative piano; and to create a liaison between collaborative pianists and the musical community of Utah. We seek to encourage interest in collaborative piano among student pianists through community outreach and education of fellow piano teachers and sponsoring events that recognize outstanding collaborative work among young pianists.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LAWRENCE GEE acquired his Bachelor of Music in piano accompanying and Master of Music in piano performance from Indiana University where he accompanied in many voice studios and studied voice with Camilla Williams who was the first black soprano to sing with a major American opera company. After college he played for productions in a number of regional opera companies including Lake George Opera, Kentucky Opera and Augusta Opera, culminating in being an assistant conductor for New York City Opera. Upon moving to Utah he became an assistant professor in piano for University of Utah and for several years was piano area director at Snow College in Ephraim. He is currently an independent instructor of voice and piano. One of his students, George Dyer, sang leading roles at New York City Opera and other opera companies and currently has his own show in Branson, Missouri. Other voice students have been winners and finalists in local and national auditions for Music Teachers National Association and National Association of Teachers of Singing, of which Mr. Gee is a member. He has also been a pianist collaborator with many well known instrumental musicians including Andres Cardenes, former concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony and violinists William Hagen and David Park. He has published a number of instrumental hymn arrangements with Jackman Music.
Dr. Ray Smith recently retired as professor of saxophone at Brigham Young University. After receiving a Bachelor of Music Education from BYU, Smith went on to receive both his Master and Doctor of Music degrees in Woodwinds Performance from Indiana University. He is proficient in flute, bassoon, clarinet, and oboe as well as several other instruments. He can be found playing with the Utah Symphony or the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square periodically, and often with the Tantara band, Q’d Up.
Due to a conflict with NATS on February 24 and 25th, the Winter Workshop will be moved to March 10 at the regular Guild meeting.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from BYU and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Literature. Coursework completed at the Eastman School of Music. National Tours include Miss Saigon, 42nd Street, and The Music Man; accompanist for well-known performers such as Kristen Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, and other stars of the Broadway Stage, Metropolitan Opera, and New York City Opera; as well as numerous directorial credits from BYU and other college and professional theatres. Mark currently works in the musical theatre department for Utah Valley University.