Lawrence D. Porter, M.M.
Director - Founder

Mr. Porter has long been involved in both the performance and teaching of great music.  He is a concert and jazz pianist and an organist, and has been invited to perform around the country, in addition to his work in Santa Fe.  As a music educator he has taught at Texas Christian University, the University of Northern Arizona, Antioch College (Ohio) and in Santa Fe teaches privately as well as with Santa Fe Community College.  Mr. Porter has over 30 years of experience with piano and music competitions, having won his first competition in 1970 at the Arkansas State Music Teachers National Association, and since then performed at competitions in Texas, Colorado, Paris and at the Van Cliburn International Amateur Competition.  He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Northern Arizona University, and has done Doctoral Studies at Arizona State University and the University of North Texas.  As Concert Technician, he has served with Steinway, Bosendorfer, Fazioli, Baldwin, Yamaha.  He is the author of "The Piano & The Pianist"  and in 2010 he has released a new concert CD.    For more information, visit LarryPorterPianos.com


Dr. Michael Baron, Chair of Adjudication

Michael Baron, Associate Professor of Music at Florida Gulf Coast University, heads the piano area of the university music program while teaching courses in applied and class piano. An award-winning concert pianist, Baron performs more than forty concerts each year, including annual tours of Europe and engagements throughout the United States . Equally at home as a recitalist, a soloist with orchestra, and a chamber musician, Baron commands a diverse repertoire, ranging from Baroque compositions to world premieres of contemporary works. His virtuosity and musicianship regularly garner the highest critical acclaim. Il Tempo ( Rome ) praised his “spellbinding recital. Baron kept the audience enthralled with a combination of touching poetry and superhuman virtuosity.” Baron holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from The Ohio State University where he studied with legendary American pianist Earl Wild. He also worked extensively in Italy with renowned pianist Orazio Frugoni.

A distinguished educator, Dr. Baron was formerly Artist-in-Residence, Head of Keyboard Studies, and a tenured Associate Professor of Music at Mesa State College in Grand Junction , Colorado . He has also taught at the State University of New York, Beloit College , and The Ohio State University. Among others, Baron has presented masterclasses for Music Teachers National Association, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and the Crested Butte Chamber Music Festival. He has served as a jurist for numerous competitions including the Jefferson Symphony National Music Competition, Competition Internationalé, Rocky Mountain Competition, Pikes Peak MTNA Competition, American Piano Guild Competition, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra Competition and Capella Musicale.

Dr. Baron's students have won or placed in numerous competitions, including Competition Internationalé, Music Teachers National Association, Maurice S. Thomas Memorial Competition and Four Corners Piano Competition. He is a popular teacher and presenter for music teacher association workshops. Baron co-directs the Corsi Internazionali di Musica Summer Music Festival at the University of Urbino , Italy, and is Artistic Director of the Rocky Mountain Music Alliance Concert Series in Colorado Springs , Colorado.

Dr. Michael R. Smith, Executive Director
Ph.D., University of Nevada-Reno
Santa Fe, NM

Ms. Mary Jo Nixon- Vice President|
Marketing and Consulting
Juaquin, TX

Mrs. Frances McKelvy
Pianist, Consulting
Atlanta, Texas


Advisory Board

Rev. Wayne Hammer
First Christian Church
Santa Fe, NM

Reese Baker
Santa Fe, NM 

Martha Burgraff
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Bill Rodway
Albuquerque, NM


Accounting

Abrams & Sarkissian, LLC
Santa Fe, New Mexico


Honorary Board Members

Mrs. Cleo Williamson
Dallas, Texas 

Natalie Sturdy
Marshall, Texas