Joan Forsyth

Joan Forsyth
Piano instructor

Pianist whose performing career has taken her from The Kennedy Center to tours of Europe, Japan, and South America


Biography

Joan Forsyth, pianist, is an eclectic artist whose performing career has taken her all over the world. Teaching has always been an important part of her musical life, and she maintains a vibrant piano studio in Mount Vernon, New York. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience, having taught both privately and for institutions such as New York University, Concordia College, and Sarah Lawrence College. She also has Suzuki piano training, assisted Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and Mme. H. Katoka at Suzuki Institute West in San Francisco, and takes a special interest in early childhood education. Forsyth is the chairman and founder of the Bronxville center of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and a past chairman of the Westchester-Rockland–Putnam Music Teachers Association. Currently she is the chairperson of the piano department at Third Street Music School in New York City.

An active performer, Forsyth is both a sympathetic chamber musician and commanding soloist. She has made appearances at venues such as The Kennedy Center, Merkin Hall, Zankel, and Weil Recital Halls, as well as tours of Europe, Russia, Japan, and South America. Her playing has been broadcast on WNYC, WFAS, RAI(Italy), Vermont Public Radio, and New York Public Radio. She has appeared as soloist with the Westchester Chamber Orchestra and the Westchester Philharmonic. Forsyth has recorded for CRI, Albany, Bridge, Soundspells, and Furious Artisans. She holds a doctorate of musical arts degree from Rutgers University and a master’s degree from The Juilliard School of Music. She was a music instructor at Bennington from Fall 2014 to Spring 2022.