Deborah Belcher's mission is to support students of all ages and levels in university and avocational settings to enjoy their abilities and the act of making music in a happy and uplifting atmosphere of curiosity and fulfillment.  She is highly skilled at communicating information in a relaxed and entertaining style that sets students at ease, enhances learning, and makes for a good time for all concerned.

Deborah has performed for more than three decades as recitalist and collaborative pianist throughout the Eastern US and in Canada.  She has appeared as soloist with the Blue Ridge Symphony, the Converse College Chamber Orchestra, the Elmhurst Symphony, the Sammartini Chamber Orchestra, and the Windermere Chamber Orchestra in London and Canada.  Her performances have been heard in Public Radio broadcasts throughout the Midwest and the Southeast.  Press reviews of her performances have noted ”technical and musical gifts in substantial amounts” and have commented that “ ...her playing led us to new discoveries about Chopin.”  Richard DeVinney, writing for the Grand Rapids Press said, “Her playing breathes with believable emotional force.”

Equally at home in academia, Dr. Belcher holds performance degrees with Honors from Winthrop University, Indiana University, and Michigan State University, and has studied further with Eugene List at the Eastman School of Music and with Robert Goldsand at the Manhattan School of Music.  Dr. Belcher has taught at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, The Cleveland Institute of Music, and Converse College, all while maintaining a class of private pre-college students.  She hold the status of Permanent Professional Certified Teacher in Music Teachers National Association and adjudicates regularly for that organization, for the National Federation of Music Clubs and for Kiwanis Club Festivals in Canada.

Deborah has enjoyed living in beautiful Asheville since 1991.  She is one of the pianists selected to perform on the privately sponsored Pianoforte Series of the Asheville Art Museum and also appears on benefit concerts sponsored by the Asheville Area Piano Forum (of which she is a charter member) and regionally as soloist, in piano four hands works, as vocal accompanist and in chamber music.  Dr. Belcher teaches a class of pre-college and adult private students, serves as Adjunct Associate Professor of Music at UNC-Asheville, and is in demand throughout the Southeast US as facilitator of the “Instant (Pop) Piano for Hopelessly Busy People” seminar while dancing as much Argentine Tango as time allows.  Her skill and love of people and teaching consistently take students to levels of understanding and ability that were previously only a dream. She invites you to attend her classes, have fun, and be impressed with your learning ability! 

You may reach Dr. Belcher at pianomuse@charter.net if you have questions.