I started playing piano when I was eight years old in Delavan, Wisconsin. I had no idea that at age eight that piano lessons were going to profoundly change my life, but they did. My first teacher was pianist and composer Charma Davies Lepke. I studied primarily classical music with Mrs. Lepke and my studies continued with her through my high school years. In my sophomore year at Delavan-Darien High School, I started playing piano in the high school jazz band. Joe Kieraldo was the director of the jazz band and he introduced me to jazz. Both Mrs. Lepke and Mr. Kieraldo made a real impact on my life as a musician.
After high school graduation, I enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Sciences. In my four and a half years at UW-Madison I also studied music theory, music history, and sang in a choral group. Upon graduation from UW-Madison, I moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and worked for nine years as a computer programmer.
In Milwaukee, I studied with jazz pianists Kevin Kostick and Mark Davis. I also studied piano pedagogy for two semesters at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music with Dr. Kayme Henkel. From 2006 to 2010, I played jazz piano many Friday and Saturday nights at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. I have also played piano at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Ozaukee Country Club in Mequon, Silverado in Brookfield, and Beanies Mexican Restaurant in Port Washington.
In the fall of 2010, I met Grammy award winning keyboardist Jeff Lorber. I completed several lessons with him using Skype. Mr. Lorber lives in the Los Angeles area and his latest CD entitled 'Space-Time' is excellent.
Currently, I teach piano lessons from my home in Port Washington, Wisconsin. I also teach some piano lessons on-site in the Milwaukee area. I have been teaching piano lessons since 2008. I enjoy working with both kids and adults. I teach beginning piano for kids eight years or older and adults. I also teach more experienced students about jazz music and improvisation.
I also currently work part-time as a pianist at Von Maur Department Store. Von Maur is located in Brookfield, Wisconsin at The Corners. I started playing there in April 2017.
Copyright 2019 Scott A. Schmidt. All Rights Reserved.
