Jodie McDowell-Brill (director/piano) Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina has been the director of Piano Works Studios for twelve years and has been teaching piano for 30 years. She received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Pedagogy from East Carolina University in 1978 where she was trained in private and group piano instruction. This will be Jodie’s seventh year teaching piano at Randolph Macon College. She has accompanied dancers for the Richmond Ballet, Virginia Commonwealth University Dance department, and Shuffles Dance Center where she has also taught dance for twelve years. She has a passion for both music and dance and has enjoyed having the opportunity to teach many students of all ages and levels.
Chris Nickels (piano) Chris is in his seventh year teaching at Piano Works Studios. He has worked as company pianist for Washington Ballet, Richmond Ballet as well as ballet and modern dance accompanist for Virginia Commonwealth University and George Washington University. As a composer, Chris has composed scores for modern dance choreographers such as Dana Burgess, Starrene Foster and Cynthia Word. His compositions have been performed at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Freer-Sackler gallery, Corcoran Gallery, New York University, LaMama, the University of Richmond and in countries throughout Asia, Europe and South America. Chris is currently the organist for the Second Church of Christ Scientist in Richmond, Va. Chris is a welcome assset to Piano Works Studios.
Georgia Stewart-Tuck (piano) originally from Northern Pennslyvania, holds a Masters of Music Education degree from Denver University and Mansfield Pennslyvania University. She has an extensive background teaching Music Education in the Elementary, Middle and High Schools and has taught piano for eleven years. She also specializes in voice and saxaphone. While in Denver she had the opportunity to sing with the Denver Opera Company and currently sings with the Richmond Symphony Chorus. This will be her fifth year teaching piano at Piano Works Studios. We are so fortunate to have Georgia.
