Biography

Peter Groch holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a faculty member at the New School for Music Study in Kingston, NJ, where he teaches piano lessons and group repertoire classes. Outside of teaching, he serves as an administrative assistant for the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, and works for Piano Magazine. 

During his time at the University of Illinois, Peter competed in several competitions and received first place in the ISMTA Collegiate Piano Competition. His interest in world music led him to become a member of the Gamelan Ensemble and the Balkan Ensemble. Between degree programs, Peter spent several years in Chicago, Illinois where he was an active accompanist, teacher, and performer. 

Upon admittance to the University of Oklahoma, Peter was awarded a teaching assistantship through which he taught group piano classes and applied piano lessons. He spent his summers in Oklahoma as the assistant music director for the Cimarron Opera Theater Camp. In the summer of 2018, he was selected as a performer for the 43rd annual Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, where he performed in master classes with Alan Chow and Ralf Heiber.

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Peter was awarded the Post-Graduate Teaching Fellowship at the New School for Music Study. As a Fellow, he worked closely with several faculty members and visiting pedagogues to refine his teaching skills, develop a personalized curriculum to encourage full musical growth, and devote time to composing pedagogical pieces for his students. In addition to private teaching and observations, Peter participated in the New School’s rich history of teacher education and pedagogy courses––including several sessions led by notable pedagogue Marvin Blickenstaff. 

Peter has studied piano with Dr. Rochelle Sennet, Dr. Mary Beth Molenaar, and Dr. Igor Lipinski. His Pedagogy teachers and mentors include Dr. Christos Tsitsaros, Dr. Barbara Fast, Dr. Jane Magrath, Mrs. Amy Glennon and Mr. Marvin Blickenstaff. 

Teaching Philosophy

Peter believes that free and effortless technique should be taught from the very first lesson. By combining technique, theory, musicality, and creativity in his lessons, he strives to encourage well rounded musicians whose love of music will continue for a lifetime. Though precision, accuracy and musicality are essential, Peter believes that exploring creativity through interpretation, experimentation, and composition lies at the heart of a meaningful musical experience.