2009 Impressionism Lecture Recital
Impressionism: Reactions and Innovations of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel
This concert is a part of an annual event, The Esther C. Olin Lecture Recital on Piano Performance, established in honor of Dr. Esther C. Olin.
Dr. Esther Clark Olin
Dr. Esther Clark Olin was a longtime adjunct professor of piano and music composition at Lynchburg College. She taught music theory and piano, accompanied senior voice recitals, and performed in string ensembles for numerous LC musical events. She has chaired several Westover committees for music students.
Prior to teaching at Lynchburg College, Dr. Olin was an adjunct professor of piano at Hollins University, associate professor of music at Liberty University, associate professor of music at Loyola University College of Music-New Orleans, and taught at Bethany College, Kansas, and Malone College, Ohio.
Dr. Olin earned a doctor of musical arts at Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, a master of music at Indiana University School of Music, and a bachelor of music magna cum laude at Wheaton College Conservatory. She has accompanied Dr. Harvey Olin in numerous Community Concert Series, was Indiana University staff accompanist, played viola in the New Orleans and Roanoke Symphonies, and has conducted the Loyola University orchestra and ballet theatre ensemble, as well as festival choirs at both First and Rivermont Presbyterian Churches in Lynchburg, Virginia.
This lecture recital series, named in her honor, is an annual tribute to the musical legacy she cultivated at Lynchburg College.
Dr. Cynthia B. Ramsey
Dr. Cynthia B. Ramsey, assistant professor of music, resides in Bedford. She earned a bachelor of music education at James Madison University (1985), a master of music education at Shenandoah Conservatory (2005), and a doctor of musical arts in music education at Shenandoah Conservatory (2008) inWinchester, Virginia. Her dissertation, The Development and Implementation of an Improvisation Curriculum for Freshman Collegiate Group Piano Classes, was completed in June. Dr. Ramsey has presented group piano research at the National Keyboard Conference (Chicago) and music education conferences in Virginia, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. She has adjudicated the World Piano Pedagogy Competition in Atlanta (2006) and Las Vegas (2007). She has studied piano under Sharon Phillips and Dr. Patricia L. Brady.
F. Johnson Scott III
F. Johnson Scott III is an instructor of music at Lynchburg College. He earned a bachelor of science in chemistry at James Madison University (1987) and a master of music in church music at Shenandoah Conservatory (2007). He is pursuing a doctor of musical arts in music education at Shenandoah Conservatory. He has studied organ under Dr. Harvey Huiner, Lynchburg College professor emeritus of music, Dr. Richard McPherson, Mr. Colin Andrews, and Dr. Steven Cooksey. Mr. Scott is organist at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lynchburg.
Noémi Otto
Noémi Otto, a Lynchburg native, was born and reared in Romania. She earned a bachelor of music at the Gh. Dima Music Academy of Cluj, Romania, and a master of music in piano performance at the University of Alabama, where she also served as a graduate teaching assistant in piano and music theory. Mrs. Otto has been on the faculty of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Randolph-Macon Women's College, and Sweet Briar College. Currently she teaches at Lynchburg College and is the music director of St. Thomas More Catholic Church.Mrs. Otto also has an independent piano studio.
Dana Wade Ballard
Dana Wade Ballard is a native of El Paso, Texas. She earned her bachelor of music in piano performance at Northwestern University, where she studied with Donald Isaak. During her career as a professional musician, she has maintained a private piano studio, served as accompanist for the Hamilton College Oratorio Society, accompanied student recitals at Hamilton College and Lynchburg College, and served as music director and children's choir director for churches in New York, New Hampshire, and Virginia. She serves as music director and children's choir director at Heritage United Methodist Church in Lynchburg. Last fall, she joined the accompanying staff at Lynchburg College, where she accompanies students in the voice studio of assistant professor Jessica Burkey. Dana lives in Forest with her husband, Ken, and three children.
Melanie Braxton Coleman
Melanie Braxton Coleman '06, a teacher in Amherst County Public Schools, resides in Lynchburg. She graduated from Lynchburg College with a bachelor of arts in music education and is currently pursuing a master of arts in conducting at Lynchburg College. Melanie remains active with the Lynchburg College Choral Union. She studied piano under Dr. Esther Olin (2002-06).
Robin E. Zimmerman
Robin E. Zimmerman, a resident of Bedford, graduated from Milligan College with a bachelor of arts in music education. He plays piano for Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Bedford and serves as the director of music for Forest United Methodist Church. He is an adult services supervisor at Bedford Department of Social Services and is active with Bedford's Little Town Players, where he acts, serves on the Board of Directors, he has played as an accompanist for musicals.
Francis Longaker
Francis Longaker, a senior at Lynchburg College, is a resident of Roanoke. A double major in music performance and European history with a minor in English literature, he studies piano under Dr. Cynthia B. Ramsey and competed in the first annual Concerto Competition held at Lynchburg College. Named an honorable mention winner, he performed Piano Concerto No. 11 in F major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the Concerto Showcase on March 20.
Brittany Montoro
Brittany Montoro, a junior at Lynchburg College, is also a resident of Roanoke. A music theory and composition major, she studies piano in the studio of Noémi Otto She has also studied piano with Dr. Esther Olin, Scott Zane Smith, Dr. Emily Chua, and currently studies organ with F. Johnson Scott III.
Matthew Booth
Matthew Booth lives in Forest and is a Lynchburg College sophomore. A double major in music performance and mathematics, Matthew studies piano under Dr. Cynthia B. Ramsey. He has studied piano for ten years under the tutelage of Mrs. Helen Mensink, Dr. Nicholas Ross, Mr. Scott Zane Smith, and Dr. Emily Chua and currently studies organ with F. Johnson Scott III.
