Piano Teachers
Piano Teachers
The Music Shoppe of Normal
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Afrim Shabani
Piano/Composition Instructor | Normal, IL
Afrim Shabani (Master of Music - Illinois State University, Doctor of Education - Bradley University) is an Advanced Specialist in Piano, Theory, and History with the Royal Conservatory of Music. In addition, he is certified by the MTNA as a NCTM in piano. He is a music faculty member at Heartland Community College. Currently, Afrim manages a large private piano studio in Bloomington/Normal. His students regularly participate in the RCM certificate program of music study. In addition, his studio participates in the IFMC-Festival each year. In 2017, his student was the winner of the MTNA Illinois Composition Elementary Division.
Robert Nakea
Piano Instructor | Normal, IL
Robert Nakea is originally from Hawaii. He started learning piano at age six, and by age 15 made his solo debut with the Honolulu Symphony. He is a two-time laureate of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition (1988 and 1994), and was the winner of the Joseph Fisch International Piano Competition in 1986. He has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, performing in such venues as the Bergen International Music Festival in Norway, the Eisteddfod Festival of Wales, and Operafestival di Roma. An active concert pianist, Mr. Nakea enjoys teaching young musicians of all skill levels, instilling in them a love for music and for the instrument.
Lu Witzig
Piano Instructor | Normal, IL
Originally from China, Lu Witzig received her Bachelor degree in piano performance from Shenyang Conservatory of Music. She earned Master degrees in both piano performance and collaborative piano from Illinois State University.
As a passionate piano teacher, her students gain a love for music. Her students often win competitions, including the MTNA Sonata Festival. She also prepares her students for college auditions to pursue their degrees in music.
Lu joined Illinois Wesleyan University in 2012. She serves as a staff accompanist in the School of Music and a piano instructor for the Preparatory Department. Lu performs actively as a chamber musician and soloist. She toured in China in 2018 and 2019.
Amy Nussbaum
Piano Instructor | Normal, IL