Allison Ernst, Pianist

Dr. Allison Ernst is a dedicated and passionate performer and teacher. Her work as a pianist has taken her all over the United States, performing solo, chamber, and concerto works. She has also competed in the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition and the Bay Area Piano Competition. An avid leader within music education, she serves as the Newsletter Editor for Tennessee Music Teachers Association, Treasurer for the Nashville Area Music Teachers Association, and as an adjudicator for piano festivals around Nashville. She is the owner and founder of Dr. Allison's Piano Studio, previously known as Aunt Ali's Music Studio. She also held a position as Adjunct Professor of Music for three academic years at Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee. 

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Allison’s commitment to serving the community through musical performances has inspired her to
create two projects, which include The Riverside Arts Walk Concert Series and The Mission Inn Concert
Series. She continues to perform events through her newest community outreach program, The
Music City House Concert Series. Creating a greater sense of community through the power of music
remains central to her ideals in all the roles that she plays. As a scholar, she plans to publish her latest
research entitled, “Playing with Time: Understanding and Notating Tempo Rubato,” in the next issue of
the academic journal Historical Performance Practices.

Originally from Kalispell, Montana, Allison received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Historical Performance
Practices from Claremont Graduate University, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from California
Baptist University, and a Bachelor of Arts-Music from Seattle University. Her primary teachers include
Jenny Soonjin Kim, Tina Kouratachvili, and Kay Lund

Dr. Ernst is thrilled to be taking on new students in her Nashville home studio, as well as continuing her
online classes. She is also available for booking at allisonlernst@gmail.com. Find more information
about her performances, classes, and community projects on her website allisonernstpianist.com.