Dr Rae de Lisle is currently Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Auckland. Following eight years studying and performing in London where her teachers included Brigitte Wild, Cyril Smith, Maria Curcio and Christopher Elton, Rae spent fifteen years as solo pianist, accompanist and chamber musician. She performed throughout New Zealand and North America, including concertos on many occasions with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Her recently recorded CDs include Morgen, Songs for Cello with Andrew Joyce, and Jenny McLeod: Portrait with Piano, featuring works by New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod.
Her ground-breaking PhD research into focal dystonia has led to presentations throughout the world, including a number of keynote addresses at international conferences. For many years she has been researching international concepts for developing a biomechanically natural piano technique. She recently published a highly successful interactive book Fit 4 Piano which includes specific exercises she has developed in order to in establish and maintain a coordinated, healthy piano technique. Relevant for students of every level from the earliest beginner to the professional pianist, It is available in both electronic and printed versions, where more than 80 HD videos of exercises and musical examples can be viewed with QR codes.
www.raedelisle.com
Her teaching has produced many outstanding pianists who have excelled at international competitions, including first prizewinners at the Sydney International Piano Competition, the Bradshaw and Buono International Competition, the Perrenaud Foundation International Piano competition, and the Lev Vlassenko Australasian Piano Competition. Many of her former students are established as pianists thoughout the world. She received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Auckland in 2011, and in the same year was awarded the Marie Vandewart Memorial Award for outstanding service and commitment to fostering the love of chamber music in New Zealand. She is Artistic Director and founder of the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition and International Festival in New Zealand. An experienced adjudicator she has served on international juries for the Dublin International Piano Competition, the Singapore National Piano Competition, the Lee University International Piano Competition and later this year will be on the jury for the Pacific Rim International Festival.
In 2015 she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music.
