Introduction

Kyle J. Rusk is a pianist, accompanist, and teacher who currently resides in Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania. Kyle has over 20 years of experience in the field of piano playing, and is currently looking to share that experience with students of all ages and playing levels.

Education

Kyle is a graduate of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania where he obtained his Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance and Music Business Management. His principal teachers were Dr. Nancy Boston (DMA, Peabody Conservatory) and Dr. Eun Joo Kwak (DMA, Northwestern University).

During his time at Mansfield University, Kyle was the University’s work-study accompanist for 3 years as well as the piano accompanist for the Mansfield University Concert Choir for a record 4 years under the direction of Dr. Peggy Dettwiler. As accompanist for the choir, Kyle was able to appear on 5 Mansfield University Concert CD’s as well as have appearances in Carnegie Hall, Germany, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Kyle performing with the Mansfield University Concert Choir at Carnegie Hall, New York City. January, 2014.



The State College Community

Kyle has been a resident of the State College community since May, 2016 where he and his wife have been an active part in the area’s Musical and Educational communities.

With regards to education, Kyle has been a Substitute Teacher for the State College Area School District since April of 2018, where he has had experiences teaching all grade levels (K-12) as well as teaching a variety of subjects. Musically, Kyle has consistently substitute taught General Music at the middle school level. Kyle has also filled in for teaching all of State College High School’s Choirs and Theory classes. This summer (in addition to teaching piano), Kyle will be a 3rd/4th teacher for State College Area School District’s annual summer CHAMPS Camp.

With regards to music, Kyle performs with many different musical ensembles of the State College area, including but not limited to:

  • Tenor 2 – Essence of Joy 2, directed by Dr. Anthony Leach
  • Tenor, Substitute Pianist, Substitute Conductor – United Baptist and Brethren Church, directed by Dr. Christopher Kiver

The Taubman Approach

Beginning in May 2015, Kyle began (and continues) to study the Taubman Approach to piano playing with Mr. Robert Durso of the Philadelphia area. Kyle was initially intrigued by this approach because of its reputation for curing piano-specific injuries (Tendinitis, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglian Cysts, etc.) in addition to the work’s incredible depth of technical and musical knowledge. Since beginning his studies, Kyle has found that his piano playing ability has blossomed. More importantly, the Approach has given him a technical base that he can always go to when addressing technical and musical challenges in a piece of music. Most importantly, the Approach is a work that focuses on communicating its valuable information to students so that all individuals may obtain a high level of piano playing.

Since beginning study of this work, Kyle has made it his musical mission to:
– Learn as much of the Taubman Approach as possible
– Impart and communicate that accumulation of knowledge so that all of his students have the opportunity to achieve their pianistic dreams.
– Become a Certified Instructor of the Taubman Approach

Kyle’s piano teacher, Mr. Robert Durso, on an episode of Living the Classical Life

For more on the Taubman Approach, please move on to the Lessons page.