Allison Gagnon

Dr. Allison Gagnon prepares her students to stand out through a broad and varied repertoire for preparation and performance and discipline-specific seminars in vocal/instrumental literature for collaborative pianists and support skills for collaborative pianists as part of their curriculum. 

My teaching philosophy includes figuring out where each student is—experience, skill set, personal and professional development—and then bringing each student along to become independent and capable professionals with self-respect, respect for others and respect for their work.

Credentials

• Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Piano, 1979
• Piano Faculty, Queen’s University, 1986-98
• Staff Pianist, McGill University from 1991-96 and Queen’s University from 1986-98
• Staff Pianist, Meadowmount School of Music, summers since 1997

Career Highlights

• Performances with Frederica von Stade, Jens Lindemann, Miro Quartet, Anthony Dean Griffey
• CD Recordings with Judith Saxton (distributed globally by the International Trumpet Guild) and James Miller
• Publication of definitive edition of the piano reduction for Chausson's Poéme Op. 25 for Violin and Orchestra
• Music Academy of the West and starting to study with Anne Epperson
• Pianist at National Competitive Festival of Music (Canada) for several years in the 1990s

Awards, Recognitions and Honors

• UNCSA Excellence in Teaching Award, 2014
• Canada Council Award for study at CIM, 1997-98
• Floyd Chalmers Award for study at CIM, 1997-98
• Several UNCSA faculty development awards

Organizations

• Music Teachers National Association
• North Carolina Music Teachers Association, College Faculty Chair
• College Music Society