Rate My Professor Leonidas Lagrimas

Dr. Leonidas Lagrimas is Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at Western Carolina University’s School of Music. His primary responsibilities include teaching Applied Piano and coordinating the Class Piano program. He holds a Ph.D. in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University and a Master of Arts in Music Education from New York University. Before his current position, Dr. Lagrimas served as full-time faculty at SUNY Fredonia and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Prior to pursuing his doctorate, he taught music in the New York City public schools for ten years. In addition to his university duties, he maintains a private piano studio and serves as Vice-President of the Asheville Area Piano Forum.

An active researcher and presenter, Dr. Lagrimas specializes in class piano curriculum development, piano pedagogy, recreational music making, adult piano pedagogy, and the music of Claude Debussy, Amy Beach, and Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee. He has presented at conferences of the College Music Society, MTNA, National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, and NAfME. His publications include articles in Piano Magazine, MTNA E-Journal, American Music Teacher, and the Francis Clark Center’s online webinar series. Dr. Lagrimas serves on the editorial board of American Music Teacher, MTNA’s official journal, and as Editor of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association Journal. As a performer, he presents solo and collaborative recitals nationwide, including guest artist appearances at the University of Florida, University of Alabama, Appalachian State University, and UNC-Greensboro. Notable collaborations feature Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann, Lorrie Morgan, and Carnegie Hall performances. He also contributes to musical theatre as pianist, conductor, and music director for various productions. Recipient of the 2024 Belcher College Faculty Teaching Award and 2023 Faculty Scholarship Award, he holds MTNA National Certification, serves on the NCMTA Executive Board, and is a sought-after judge and clinician.