Biography

A versatile pianist and dedicated teacher, Dr. Robert Carney enjoys finding unique and creative approaches for the concert stage and the piano studio. His concerts often feature hidden gems in the literature, including works by American composers such as Corigliano, Menotti, Rzewski, and Liebermann. Recent performances include concerto performances in Kansas City and Topeka in addition to other solo recitals in Europe and the US states of Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Missouri. As a pedagogue, Carney has presented on topics ranging from teaching technique and expression to using Web-based tools in the piano studio. His current research focuses on using Web-based communities for facilitating independent learning which has been presented in the US, Canada, and Europe.

Carney is currently Associate Professor of Music at Southwest Baptist University where he teaches applied and class piano, piano pedagogy, piano literature, aural skills, and music appreciation. Carney's students have been prizewinners in state, regional, and international competitions and have appeared with orchestra and performed at prestigious venues such as Merkin Hall in New York. He spent last summer teaching at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan and at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

Carney has degrees from the University of North Texas (DMA) and Louisiana State University (MM) and has studied at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. While in the Dallas area, he built a large private studio and served as Coordinator of Instruction at the Master's Touch School of Music and on the faculty of North Central Texas College. Active in many professional organizations, he is currently President-Elect of the Missouri Music Teachers Association.