This piece showcases the lyrical and emotional qualities Rory strives to bring out in his students' playing. The warmth and reflection in this late Brahms work exemplifies Rory's approach to musicality and expression.
Rory holds a Master of Music in Solo Piano Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, UK. He studied under Dr. Murray McLachlan and received a 4.0 GPA equivalent in his piano pedagogy training. His education was supported by the prestigious Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) scholarship, amongst other notable merit-based scholarships.
Prior to this, he completed his Bachelor of Music with Summa Cum Laude equivalent at Queen's University Belfast, graduating with the highest mark in his year while studying piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, Ireland under Dr. Peter Tuite.
As the Director of a US national piano school, a former elected Trustee for the European Piano Teachers Association, and a former Teaching Assistant at the University of Manchester, he remains actively involved in advancing piano pedagogy. His academic research has focused on Beethoven's piano works, resulting in several published articles and conference presentations.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, Rory has guided students from beginners to advanced levels, with his students frequently achieving Distinction grades.
He believes in nurturing not just technical proficiency, but deep musical communication and understanding through story telling. His approach combines a pedagogical lineage that can be traced back to Beethoven with modern insights from his research on musical form, theory, and historical performance practices.
For children, Rory adapts his teaching to their developmental stage, incorporating elements of the Kodály, Orff, and Dalcroze methodologies to create an engaging learning environment that builds a solid foundation for lifelong musical exploration, as well as incorporating his experience as a father of two young boys.
Rory Dowse BMus (Hons), MMus
Rory's experience directly informs his teaching approach, helping students develop their collaborative skills and musicality beyond solo performance.
Painting by Brian Owens
Rory has presented his research on Beethoven's piano works at prestigious institutions including the Royal Musical Association and The Society of Musicology in Ireland
Limited availability ensuring personalized attention for each student.
"Rory's enthusiasm and love for piano is so clear and such an integral part of his teaching, and it's something which continues to inspire me and my playing to this day!"
Lauren Richards