Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM), Chrissy is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association, North Carolina Music Teachers Association, and Raleigh Piano Teachers Association. Chrissy maintains a private piano studio where she focuses on sharing her love of all types of music with her students.
Chrissy's works are published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company, Piano Pronto Publishing, and SMP Press. Chrissy enjoys composing music in a variety of styles, from contemporary classical to rock. To date, she has published twenty-two collections of piano solo and duet music for students. Her piano music has been featured on the contest lists of many teaching organizations, including the National Federation of Music Clubs, the Minnesota Music Teachers Association, the North Carolina Music Teachers Association, and the Iowa Music Teachers Association.
Chrissy has also written a variety of chamber music for voice, brass, woodwinds, and strings. Her chamber works have been premiered by the North Carolina Chamber Music Institute, the Triangle Chamber Music Collective, and the Vida Strings quartet. She is a founding member of the Carolina Contemporary Composers (c3), a local group dedicated to creating and performing new music.
In addition to teaching and composing, Chrissy enjoys writing about topics related to piano pedagogy. Her articles on teaching have appeared in American Music Teacher magazine, and she has been a frequent clinician for teacher groups in the North Carolina area, presenting on topics ranging from practice skills and motivational techniques to incorporating improvisation and composition into piano lessons. Chrissy also blogs regularly on these topics here.
Chrissy's works are published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company, Piano Pronto Publishing, and SMP Press. Chrissy enjoys composing music in a variety of styles, from contemporary classical to rock. To date, she has published twenty-two collections of piano solo and duet music for students. Her piano music has been featured on the contest lists of many teaching organizations, including the National Federation of Music Clubs, the Minnesota Music Teachers Association, the North Carolina Music Teachers Association, and the Iowa Music Teachers Association.
Chrissy has also written a variety of chamber music for voice, brass, woodwinds, and strings. Her chamber works have been premiered by the North Carolina Chamber Music Institute, the Triangle Chamber Music Collective, and the Vida Strings quartet. She is a founding member of the Carolina Contemporary Composers (c3), a local group dedicated to creating and performing new music.
In addition to teaching and composing, Chrissy enjoys writing about topics related to piano pedagogy. Her articles on teaching have appeared in American Music Teacher magazine, and she has been a frequent clinician for teacher groups in the North Carolina area, presenting on topics ranging from practice skills and motivational techniques to incorporating improvisation and composition into piano lessons. Chrissy also blogs regularly on these topics here.
What people are saying...
"[Chrissy's preludes] are delightful pieces that expose students to a variety of techniques and devices found in modern works, including changing meters, odd meters, syncopated rhythms, and jazz influences....Any of the preludes would work quite well as recital pieces and would prepare students for the works of the great composers." -- Suzanne Schons, Clavier Companion magazine
"Chrissy Ricker has tapped into the sounds young people want to play and has made them accessible to progressing pianists...They're in love with this music!" -- Sarah Robertson, piano teacher
"Life gets so busy I don't often stop to write reviews but I just played through this book and couldn't not stop to write a review! The jazz harmonies are incredible for how accessible this book is for early intermediate pianists! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun playing simple jazz music." -- Nicole Douglas, piano teacher (review of Cool Cats)
"Chrissy Ricker did it again! These are engaging and exciting solos for beginners that are a big hit with my students. I love teaching pattern based pieces that make sense to students while challenging them to reach a little higher. Want your students to practice more? Here's your answer." -- Heidi Scott, piano teacher (review of Easy Perfect Patterns)
"I love this book because the music is fun to play. The pieces are memorable, with cool patterns. I can imagine going through an adventure when I play the piece. My favorites are "Into Forever," "Epic," and "Dragon March."" -- Logan, age 13 (review of Let's Quest!)
"[Chrissy's preludes] are delightful pieces that expose students to a variety of techniques and devices found in modern works, including changing meters, odd meters, syncopated rhythms, and jazz influences....Any of the preludes would work quite well as recital pieces and would prepare students for the works of the great composers." -- Suzanne Schons, Clavier Companion magazine
"Chrissy Ricker has tapped into the sounds young people want to play and has made them accessible to progressing pianists...They're in love with this music!" -- Sarah Robertson, piano teacher
"Life gets so busy I don't often stop to write reviews but I just played through this book and couldn't not stop to write a review! The jazz harmonies are incredible for how accessible this book is for early intermediate pianists! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun playing simple jazz music." -- Nicole Douglas, piano teacher (review of Cool Cats)
"Chrissy Ricker did it again! These are engaging and exciting solos for beginners that are a big hit with my students. I love teaching pattern based pieces that make sense to students while challenging them to reach a little higher. Want your students to practice more? Here's your answer." -- Heidi Scott, piano teacher (review of Easy Perfect Patterns)
"I love this book because the music is fun to play. The pieces are memorable, with cool patterns. I can imagine going through an adventure when I play the piece. My favorites are "Into Forever," "Epic," and "Dragon March."" -- Logan, age 13 (review of Let's Quest!)