Dr. Kuhny has the pianistic skills and teaching experience to develop the inherent talent in every student, no matter the age or skill level. Every student is taught in a warm, supportive environment that focuses on building a love for and appreciation of music. All students receive individualized teaching plans, thereby providing the opportunity to develop talent and learn a life-long appreciation of music and the arts.
Dr. Kuhny is a leader in music, holding various leadership positions in music education organizations. She is well esteemed by her peers, being voted Teacher of the Year in both Chicago and West Suburban chapters of the Music Teachers National Association. Steinway Pianos has also honored her as Teacher of the Year. She is dedicated to advancing musical education and is currently the chair of two major competitions: the Illinois State Music Teachers Association (serving 200 students) and the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association Sonata-Sonatina Festival (serving 300 students). Dr. Kuhny has close professional relationships with many university professors throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Dr. Kuhny is a national leader in piano education. She is a frequent competition adjudicator, masterclass teacher, conference presenter, and published author. Dr. Kuhny is an international educator of the ear-training approach to music education as one of only 25 teacher-trainers for the Suzuki Method. The Suzuki philosophy allows students to achieve proficiency in piano performance first with reading music shortly thereafter. About half of Dr. Kuhny’s students use an ear-training first approach with the other half using a reading method first; each family makes this decision with her guidance.
Dr. Anne Marie Kuhny holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois. Two Master’s Degrees include her Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy (teaching piano) as well as her Master of Music in Piano Performance and Literature. Dr. Kuhny holds undergraduate degrees in both Piano Performance and Music History. All of her degrees are from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, during which Dr. Kuhny had the privilege of studying for ten years with Dr. Ian Hobson, “a musician of tremendous versatility who has earned an international reputation as a pianist, conductor, and educator.” You can find information about Dr. Hobson here.
Pre-college, Dr. Kuhny was fortunate to study for five years with Dr. Karen Shaw at Indiana University. Mr. John Reglin of Chicago provided the firm foundation for these university-level studies. Dr. Kuhny began piano lessons at the age of three.
Looking to become a Suzuki teacher? Dr. Kuhny is a certified Suzuki Piano Teacher Trainer, only one of about 25 in the Americas. She offers courses on the Suzuki Philosophy and Piano Method to teachers online and in person around the world. Click here for more information.
Outside of her education, Dr. Kuhny has had a wide variety of musical experiences. She has performed across the United States and in Europe. As a student, she was honored to perform in masterclasses with many of the world’s great concert pianists as early as age seven. A true lover of the arts, her favorite activities include attending performances of her beloved Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall and Ravinia, opera at Lyric Opera of Chicago, piano performances in many venues, and exhibits at the Art Institute of Chicago. During her university study, her favorite coursework was piano, chamber music, and music history.
An experienced music educator, Dr. Kuhny taught piano to children and adults throughout her graduate study at the University of Illinois Piano Laboratory Program. Dedicated to the development of young musicians, Dr. Kuhny has held leadership positions with the University of Illinois chapter of MTNA as its Vice President and Treasurer.