Instructor Profile

Richard Simonds is an accomplished pianist and dedicated music educator with a thriving presence in New York City, Westchester, and Connecticut. A Scarsdale native, he embarked on his piano journey at the age of eight under the tutelage of Oldrich Teply at Hoff-Barthelson Music School. Richard's commitment to musical excellence led him to attain a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Haverford College, followed by the completion of his Master's in Piano at Mannes School of Music, where he studied under the esteemed pianist Vladimir Valjarevic. His musical pursuits have taken him to prestigious festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival in 2014, Music Fest Perugia in 2015, and ASME@WAU in 2022. Richard's passion for education is evident through his extensive teaching experience across various age groups and proficiency levels at institutions such as Hoff-Barthelson Music School and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Richard has been privileged to learn from renowned mentors, including Matthew Bengtson of the University of Michigan, Amy Yang of the Curtis Institute, and Curtis Cacioppo of Haverford College. With a rich background in both performance and education, Richard Simonds continues to inspire and guide aspiring musicians on their own musical journeys.