Isabella Ancira
Composer, Pianist, Teacher
Photo: Custer State Park, SD
About Me
I have been playing piano and composing music since 2010, and I've been teaching private lessons for about 6 years now. I've always held a deep appreciation for music—whether I'm performing a classical piece, completing a composition, or watching a student exceed my expectations, music always provides new experiences and nourishment for the soul.
I have received my Bachelor's degree in music composition from Illinois Wesleyan University. While attending IWU, I studied composition with Dr. David Vayo, Dr. John Orfe, Dr. Roy Magnussen, Dr. Jiyoun Chung, and Dr. Eric Zurbin. I also studied piano under the guidance of Dr. Ilia Radoslavov, Dr. Franklin Larey, and Dr. R. Kent Cook. I have also taken masters-level courses in composition and pedagogy at Illinois State University. While at Illinois State, I had the pleasure of teaching group piano classes as a graduate assistant as well.
Currently, I am a piano teacher with Hip Cat Music School in downtown Bloomington, IL. I am also the Music Director and accompanist for First Presbyterian Church of Danvers, west of Bloomington-Normal.