"Started lessons at The Birchard Piano Studio with our second grader six months ago and couldn't be more pleased with the progress. Deanna is great with children and runs a great studio."
Founded in 2011 as "Miss Deanna's Piano Studio," the Birchard Piano Studio exists to bring glory to God through the making and teaching of music, both at the piano and away from it. Teachers prepares individual and personalized lesson plans for each student, building a foundation for success in music theory and performance. We understand each person has unique goals as a pianist, and we are committed to seeing our students achieve those goals as we pursue musical excellence together.

Deanna Birchard, NCTM

Deanna Birchard began teaching in January 2011 as a part of the Directed Teaching component of her degree program. She studied piano under Dr. John Mortensen and pedagogy under Mrs. Connie Anderson. Deanna received her Bachelor of Music in Keyboard Pedagogy from Cedarville University in 2013.

After graduating Deanna began a small studio in her hometown of Akron, Ohio, teaching a handful of students and sharing recitals with her first piano teacher. Upon moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, she began work as a piano instructor at Meyer Music, teaching there from 2016 to 2019.

In 2020 Deanna completed the requirements for the MTNA National Certification in Piano. She is a member of Music Teachers National Association, Michigan Music Teachers Association, and the Piano Teachers’ Forum of Grand Rapids. She is also an active pianist in her local church and community.

Liz Wolden

Liz comes to us with more than 25 years of experience teaching classroom music all over the world, from Massachusetts to Egypt, India, and most recently Vietnam. She earned her master’s degree in Music Education and Piano Performance from Boston University, and she has a Level III Certification in Orff-Sheulwerk-based pedagogy.

Liz joined the team at The Birchard Piano Studio in 2021 as a substitute teacher for Deanna’s maternity leave. She has since grown her own student base here at the studio.

Rebekah Shomsky, Directed Teacher

Rebekah started at The Birchard Piano Studio in 2021. She teaches beginner students as a Directed Teacher under Deanna's guidance.
​
Rebekah earned her Bachelor of Arts in General Music in 2021 from Grand Valley State University. This year she is pursuing her NCTM

Lydia Summerfield, Directed Teacher

Lydia joined The Birchard Piano Studio in 2020 as our first Directed Teacher. She teaches beginner students as a Directed Teacher under Deanna's guidance.

Lydia is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in General Music at Cornerstone University.

Kara Ruman, Administrator

Kara joined us in 2021 in the new position of Studio Administrator. She is here to assist students, parents, and teachers with any an all administrative needs.

Kara is a homemaker and former elementary-school teacher. While she is happy to be part of the staff here at The Birchard Piano Studio, she is even more happy for her new full-time job as Grammy to Deanna's new baby.