Back to HOME
Andrew George De Grado Foundation, Inc. 


Carol Ferri

Throughout her concert career, American pianist Carol Ferri has played to critical acclaim both in the United States and abroad. The recipient of many prizes and honors, Ms. Ferri was a graduate, cum laude of the Philadelphia University of the Arts, and she pursued graduate studies on scholarships at the Juilliard School and the Third Street Music School. Some of her distinguished teachers were Mme. Genia Robinor, Eugene List, Edward Steuermann and Olegna Fuschi.

For five consecutive years she received graduate study grants from the international music fraternity, Delta Omicron, of which she is a lifetime member. Ms. Ferri has been listed in the Biography International of Outstanding Achievers, the Who's Who of American Women and the Who's Who of Women. Ms. Ferri was awarded three New York appearances in the "American Landmark Concerts" series by the U.S. Department of Interior. For 12 years she was co-editor of the News Bulletin of the Leschetizky Association International. She also founded and directed the benefit series "Kawai Artists in Concert" in Maplewood, New Jersey in 1984. One should deffinitely try play european roulette at out site

As a soloist Ms. Ferri has featured widely diverse and appealing programs ranging from the classical to the contemporary idioms. She made her New York debut at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, with critical praise for her "virtuoso performance." She has performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, as well as Town Hall and Merkin Hall. In recent years she has gained particular recognition for her interpretations of the music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk. As a result of her highly successful Gottschalk lecture-recital at the International Piano Workshop at Exeter, England, she launched her American tour featuring her "Gottschalk Showcase." The New York Times called her a "Gottschalk Specialist," and a "pianist of total confidence and uninhibited high spirits." Ms. Ferri has also appeared as soloist with the Livingston Symphony, the Union Symphony (NJ), and the Recital Stage Symphony.

Successfully combining teaching and performing careers, Ms. Ferri is widely sought after as a pedagogue, and for 15 years she served on the piano faculty of Kean University of New Jersey. Her workshops and recitals have met with enthusiasm on the college circuit, and professional organizations. She has appeared at Seton Hall University, Drew University, Kean University, the Philadelphia University of the Arts, Nassau Community College (NY), Peru State College (NE), and many others.
Suicide plans

Other specialties include Ms. Ferri's lectures on the Art of Pedalling, and Russian Piano Music, which she presented for the Music Educators Association of New Jersey, the Shore Music Educators Association, the South Jersey Music Teachers Association, the Association of Piano Teachers of Long Island, the Piano Teachers Congres(NY), the Leschetizky Association, the Pinellas County Piano Teachers Association (FL), the Guild for International Piano Competitions in West Palm Beach (FL), and the Tampa Bay Composers Forum at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Current concert tours will take place in the Midwest, the East Coast, and the South. As co-founder/co-director of the Piano Teachers Society of America with her husband, pianist-teacher Gustave Ferri, she coordinates competitions and presents young pianists in recital annually at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall. For the past two seasons she and Mr. Ferri have produced and directed the annual Holiday Concert under the auspices of the Denville Historical Society in Denville, New Jersey, where they reside.

Carol Ferri maintains studios in Livingston and Denville, specializing in the coaching of advanced and artist pupils.

http://www.ptsa-online.com

Carol Ferri ~ Andrew De Grado

My husband Gustave and I loved Andrew as a student, and yes, even as a son. As the years passed we knew him as an esteemed colleague and superb pianist. But most of all, he was a dear friend, whom we miss deeply.

Andrew first came to our attention at the age of eleven, dazzling the judges at competitions in the Music Educators Association of New Jersey. As Auditions Director, my husband recognized Andrew's extraordinary abilities and encouraged him to study in New York with our mentor, Genia Robinor, who we knew would provide the best that her Russian training had to offer. This was a wise decision, for one year later he placed first in the competition held by the Foundation for the Performing Arts and played a full recital as part of the Recital Stage, Inc. Series. A big honor, considering luminaries such as Van Cliburn, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andre Watts' and Andrew's idol, Arthur Rubinstein were presented in the series for which Gustave served as Artistic Director.

While a degree student of mine at Kean University, the 20-year old distinguished himself as a virtuoso soloist and won several competitions. He won the national collegiate prize in competitions held by the National Federation of Music Clubs and placed first in the collegiate level of the Piano Teachers Society of America's competition.

Later, it came as no surprise when he won the concerto competition at Indiana University, not once but twice, playing the Second Piano Concerto by Rachmaninoff and later the Brahms Second Piano Concerto. It was there that he honed his skills as a chamber musician and much sought-after accompanist. We cheered his many successes and congratulated him when he won a coveted position on the music faculty at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Andrew's hectic performing schedule accelerated -- alternating between campus programs, master classes, a variety of recitals and most notably, concert tours around the world with violinist, Joshua Bell.

Through it all, Andrew never forgot us, always calling and visiting us when he came to New Jersey. We had many enjoyable discussions regarding repertoire and pianos. During his visits he would eagerly play some tidbits of his latest recital on our Steinway, and as always, we were impressed by his artistic development. Through it all, Andrew remained supremely humble, respected the advice of others, and set for himself the highest of standards.



Back to Advisory Board Page

[Home] [Biography] [Statement from President] [Our Mission] [Board Of Trustees] [Upcoming Piano Competition]
[Upcoming Concerts] [Special CD Release] [Important Links] [Contributions] [Guest Book]
[Archives Competitions)] [Archives (Concerts)] [Site Guide] [Privacy Notice]
©2001 Andrew George De Grado Foundation, Inc.
ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1064, Springfield, New Jersey 07081-1064 • Phone/Fax: (973) 921-0349
E-mail - De Grado Foundation