CWU Piano

CWU Piano A vibrant community of collegiate pianists from Central Washington University.

Carmen Still, NCTM, Piano Pedagogy, Graduate PianistCarmen is our decidedly non-traditional graduate student. She return...
07/04/2026

Carmen Still, NCTM, Piano Pedagogy, Graduate Pianist

Carmen is our decidedly non-traditional graduate student. She returned to school after some years of teaching, life-ing to pursue her Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy with Dr. Yerin Kim.
After a year of classes and a busy teaching assistantship teaching secondary piano students and playing for instrumentalists and vocalists, while conducting the Yakima Valley Youth Chorus and teaching her private piano studio, she’s starting off the summer with two concerts with her duet partner, Carmen Smith. Other summer projects include taking care of the family farm (garden, cows, and chickens), spending time with her husband and four children, prepping for next year’s homeschooling and choral seasons, and writing her master’s thesis.

Carmen also brings the most delicious baked goods to school that makes everyone’s day, made by her husband Darren!

Meredith Montgomery, seniorMeredith is a student of Dr. Yerin Kim and graduated this spring with a Dual BA in Piano and ...
07/03/2026

Meredith Montgomery, senior

Meredith is a student of Dr. Yerin Kim and graduated this spring with a Dual BA in Piano and Studio Art, alongside a minor in Food Science and Nutrition. During her senior year, she was awarded the Music Department’s Presser Scholarship, a highly competitive honor presented annually to an outstanding undergraduate music major. Following graduation, Meredith taught as the Lead Instructor for the Summer Literacy for Youth in Music (SLYM) program. She currently maintains a private piano studio for young students in Ellensburg, continues to paint, and remains a beam of light to everyone around her!

Elliot Matteson, junior Elliot is a Piano Performance major studying with Dr. Yerin Kim. He was recently awarded the pre...
07/03/2026

Elliot Matteson, junior

Elliot is a Piano Performance major studying with Dr. Yerin Kim. He was recently awarded the prestigious C. Farrell Fine Arts and Research Scholarship, which provides full tuition, a stipend, and comprehensive support for creative research projects. He is currently composing a single-movement piano concerto for chamber orchestra, planned to premiere in Spring 2027.

Additionally, Elliot was selected to perform the Grieg Piano Concerto with the Martinů Philharmonic at this summer’s International Concerto Festival, an engagement made financially possible by the Farrell Scholarship. Last week, he also performed at the WSMTA conference as the Winner of MTNA-Steinway & Sons Young Artist Piano Competition, WA Underrepresented Composer Award playing ’s Sideways.

Congratulations, Elliot!

Nathan Ortiz, Graduate Pianist, Collaborative PianoNathan is an international student who came to the states to pursue h...
06/30/2026

Nathan Ortiz, Graduate Pianist, Collaborative Piano

Nathan is an international student who came to the states to pursue his studies with Dr. Yerin Kim. He finished a year of work as a collaborative pianist staff for degree recitals and voice studio classes after earning his Master of Music in Piano Performance at CWU. This Fall, he will be continuing his studies at the University of Kentucky, pursuing a masters degree in Collaborative Piano with a full scholarship and a teaching assistant position. Good luck with your next chapter, Nathan!

Natalie Clay, freshman Natalie is a freshman majoring in Piano Performance. She loves playing in the orchestra as a keyb...
06/01/2026

Natalie Clay, freshman

Natalie is a freshman majoring in Piano Performance. She loves playing in the orchestra as a keyboardist and recently played her first professional gig as a keyboardist at the Wenatchee Symphony Orchestra. “Natalie is a beam of light and brings energy that can brighten up any ensemble and people”

Izel Ochoa-Read, freshman

Izel is a freshman majoring in Piano Performance. He loves all piano things from the Romantic era. Naturally, Dr.Kim plans to have him play an all Bach and Haydn recital one of these days. “Izel can make a melody sing as if it is the only thing that matters in the world”

Both Natalie and Izel got accepted to study and perform this summer at the Chroma International Piano Festival at the Bartok Institute in Hungary. This will be there first ever international travel and are fundraising for this exceptional opportunity! If you are able and would like to support them, please do! If you live around Ellensburg and have a piano, they will happily come by and perform a concert for you and your community!

Natalie’s Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/8fb8dd219
Izel’s Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/f719ef2a1

Kamron Emery, senior Kamron is a Composition and Piano Performance Double Major studying with Dr. Kim. He is a recipient...
05/20/2026

Kamron Emery, senior

Kamron is a Composition and Piano Performance Double Major studying with Dr. Kim. He is a recipient of the Provost Faculty-Student Award for his musical illustration (illustrated by Meredith Montgomery, another piano classmate) for violin. His book will be published in June.

“The Nine Lives of Koko is a musical story of a family cat, Koko, and his alternative lives, created through the imaginations of a young girl and her mother. Each life of Koko’s is depicted through imaginative illustrations and nine short character pieces composed for solo violin. The Nine Lives of Koko serves as both a family-friendly musical performance and an engaging, educational tool for violin teachers to use within their studio.” - Kamron

“A true artist and architect of sounds. I think his next book and recording should be about S’mores at piano parties…because he can make any mundane thing gorgeous!”

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Ella Melin, sophomoreElla is studying with Dr. Yerin Kim , pursuing Piano Performance Major and Creative Writing Minor....
05/17/2026

Ella Melin, sophomore

Ella is studying with Dr. Yerin Kim , pursuing Piano Performance Major and Creative Writing Minor. This summer, she will be performing and learning from internationally renowned faculty, Robert McDonald and Ran Dank at the Summer Masterclass program.

Ella is ”the most beautiful musician and human. She is even more beautiful when she practices.”

A huge thanks to pianist Miki Aoki for sharing her gorgeous music and insightful teaching with CWU Piano this week! Stud...
05/08/2026

A huge thanks to pianist Miki Aoki for sharing her gorgeous music and insightful teaching with CWU Piano this week! Students and our community were so inspired 🎹 ♥️

Please join acclaimed pianist Miki Aoki for a captivating recital that bridges centuries and celebrates the diverse voic...
05/03/2026

Please join acclaimed pianist Miki Aoki for a captivating recital that bridges centuries and celebrates the diverse voices of the piano repertoire. Ranging from monumental Bach transcriptions to the vibrant landscapes of the French countryside, this program promises an unforgettable musical journey. Experience the towering virtuosity of the Romantic era, the wit of 20th-century Paris, and a special celebration of masterworks by historical female composers Clara Schumann and Cécile Chaminade. Don’t miss an evening of breathtaking piano music performed by a phenomenal pianist!

May 6, 2026
Recital Hall, CWU
Free admission

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906 Dean Nicholson Boulevard
Ellensburg, WA
98926

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