Leah Kosch
Teaching Philosophy
As a musician and teacher, I am, unabashedly, a piano-phile. The piano is a wonderful instrument that serves many functions, but is above all, a great foundational instrument. Because so much can be taught at the piano, my goal as a piano teacher is to give all of my students a strong foundation in concepts that are essential to making music. Note-reading, phrasing, rhythm, and basic theory are areas that I try to target with each student. These are taught with the hope that, at a certain point, any of my students will be able to apply the knowledge they’ve gained on their own. This is an important skill not only to playing the piano, but to playing any instrument. As a teacher I also enjoy finding different ways to approach these concepts as a way of meeting the many different learning styles presented by each student. I believe in customizing to each student, and strive to make everything I teach engaging and clear, so that each student is empowered to be able to make their own musical choices.
Biography
Leah Kosch is a versatile pianist and dedicated educator whose career spans both performance and teaching. Her teaching experience is extensive and varied, having run her own studio in Ohio before moving to Boston, where she has taught at South Shore Conservatory and the Longy School of Music’s preparatory program. Her students, ranging widely in age and ability, have participated in chamber ensembles, mock evaluations, and competitions.
At Longy, Kosch expanded her teaching repertoire to include coaching piano duets and assisting with performance workshops. Currently, she holds a faculty position at Boston College, where her responsibilities include teaching keyboard harmony, secondary piano to undergraduates, and coaching chamber groups.
As a performer, Kosch has established a diverse and active career in the Boston area. She has appeared as both a soloist and chamber musician, tackling traditional repertoire and modern compositions with equal skill. Her performances have been featured in concert series such as the Longy Faculty concert series, Septemberfest, and Boston College Chamber Series.
Kosch is also a sought-after accompanist, assisting students of various ages in lessons, auditions, concerts, and competitions at Longy, Boston College, and the Brevard Summer Music Institute. Her commitment to new music is evident in her performances with the Boston New Music Initiative and her recordings for local composers.
Through her multifaceted career, Leah Kosch demonstrates a deep commitment to both music education and performance, continually inspiring students and audiences alike with her passion and expertise.
Degrees
B.M., magna cum laude, Ohio State University
M.M., the Longy School of Music