Pianofest

Vicki Stephens McVay, PhD is co-founder and co-director of Pianofest, Inc. Dr. McVay earned both a Bachelor's Degree in Music with an emphasis in piano and a Master's of Musicology Degree from the University of Kentucky. Dr. McVay is coordinator and instructor of Class Piano at the University of Kentucky and has served as an instructor of Aural and Written Music Theory at the University since 1991. She is the Executive Director of the Piano Preparatory Program that was established in 1998 at the University. The Prep Program was established as a result of the School of Music's vision for community outreach and is committed to providing educational instruction and performance opportunities in Music to students of all ages and ability levels.Dr. McVay's passion is for Arts Advocacy which she considers a never ending mission. Dr. McVay also serves as President of the University of Kentucky Friends of Music and is faculty advisor to the University of Kentucky School of Music Service Organization.

Cathy Calhoun Rowland is co-founder and co-director of Pianofest, Inc. Mrs. Rowland earned both a Bachelor's Degree in Music and Music Education with High Distinction and a Master of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Kentucky. Mrs. Rowland has attended several Music Technology Symposiums presented at the MTNA Conventions. She has also been a participant in the Summer Technology Seminars that are sponsored by the Yahama Corporation of America. Mrs. Rowland taught vocal and general music to grades one through twelve in a private school for seven years and has been a private piano instructor for thirty-one years. Her studio includes multi-keyboard ensemble classes and a computer lab. Her students have received superior ratings in the Ensemble category of the KMTA Spring Festivals and State Level Competitions. In addition to being co-found and co-director Mrs. Rowland serves as the ensemble conductor for Pianofest.

Cameron Hardin is the camp coordinator of Pianofest. Mr. Hardin is a native of Pike County, Kentucky. Mr. Hardin began attending Pianofest in 2000 as a camper and has been with Pianofest since. Mr. Hardin began playing piano at the age of 7 and continued with lessons until his arrival at the University. He now works as a piano instructor for the Piano Preparatory Program. Mr. Hardin is currently working for Fowler Measle and Bell PLLC. Mr. Hardin finished classes at the University of Kentucky, during his time at the University of Kentucky Mr. Hardin served on the School of Music Service Organization, was in the Wildcat Marching Band and was part of the University's Mock Trial Team.

Daniel Arnold is the assistant conductor and special instructor in composition at Pianofest. He is a senior music major at the University of Kentucky, where he studies piano with Dr. Alan Hersh and composition with Professor Joseph Baber. Daniel has taught at the Unviersity of Kentucky Piano Preparatory Program since 2005 and has been involved with Pianofest since 2006. In 2009, Daniel won the John Barnes Chance Memorial Scholarship for composition and the S.C. Bartlett Piano Scholarship.