Susan Carpenter is an independent piano instructor in Shepherd University’s Community Music School. She served as an adjunct instructor in the Shepherd University School of Music from 2006-2021, teaching individual and group piano classes, piano ensemble/collaborative piano, Introduction to Music, and acting as Staff Accompanist. She developed the Piano Fun classes for adults in 2017, and the program has been a popular and fun way for adult students of all ages and levels to participate in music-making since then.
Ms. Carpenter has maintained a private studio for over 30 years, has worked as a collaborative musician in the Tri-State area, and has acted as adjudicator in piano for the West Virginia Music Educators Association Solo-Ensemble competition as well as for piano competitions held by the West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia Music Teachers Associations.
Prior to her arrival in the Eastern Panhandle, Ms. Carpenter spent 14 years as a piano and violin instructor in Saudi Arabia, her contributions as teacher, performer and concert organizer for the expatriate community earning her a “Who’s Who of American Women” in 2000.
Ms. Carpenter earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and a double Master of Music degree from the University of Texas-Austin in Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy. She credits her instructors Stella Kayser, Dr. Carroll Chilton (UW-Madison), Dr. Jack Radunsky (Oberlin Conservatory), and Dr. William Race (UT-Austin) with influencing her performance and teaching style, and her father, the late Dr. Robert G. Petzold (UW-Madison), for his inspirational example as a crusader for musical education research and reform.