Suzanne Sheppard is a classically trained pianist and composer known for her exceptional versatility, technique and creativity.  Whether performing traditional repertoire, composing original music, creating popular arrangements, or teaching in the studio, Suzanne radiates a deep musical sensitivity and understanding.

 With expertise across a variety of musical genres, Suzanne has extensive performance experience in diverse venues, including the classical concert hall, the theater, ballet and modern dance studios, the piano bar and the church.  She has served as Principal Pianist for the Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education, Accompanist for the professional ensemble Labyrinth Choir, and Pianist for the Live Piano Music Program at T.F. Green Airport, in Providence, RI, as well as resident and guest pianist at churches of varying denominations.  She presently serves as the Pianist/Organist at the Rye Congregational Church in Rye, NH. Since 2013, Suzanne has been performing regularly with her dynamic vocal and piano duo, The Sheppard Sisters, co-founded with her sister, mezzo-soprano Lisa Sheppard Hadley.  The duo has been awarded several grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and has performed throughout the region.

 An award-winning composer, Suzanne has earned numerous honors for her original work, including prizes from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, ASCAP and the Composers Guild.  Suzanne has received commissions and premieres by the acclaimed vocal ensemble, Cappella Clausura, and her music has been performed by the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem Ensemble, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, and the Orpheus Chamber Music Ensemble, as well as by individual professional musicians.

Suzanne has produced professional recordings of two of her original works:  (1) Suite for Solo Marimba, published by C.F. Peters Corp., performed by marimba virtuoso, Ayami Okamura and (2) Riding the Road, performed by jazz vibraphonist, Vid Jamnik, with the composer at the piano.  Suzanne also produced a solo piano CD, On Dove’s Wings, featuring many of her original arrangements and two original compositions.

 As an educator, Suzanne has been teaching piano and music composition to students of all ages, beginners through advanced, for more than 25 years.  In addition to her private studio, Suzanne taught piano at Rhode Island College as an Adjunct Instructor and was a Teaching Assistant in Music Composition and Theory at the University of Michigan.  She has also brought her expertise to several community music schools.  Suzanne holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music from the same institution and a Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory. For more detailed information, please refer to Suzanne’s CV.