Alison Drat is a classical pianist who is passionate about sharing the
gift of music with others.
Alison Drat is an active performer and teacher in the Kansas City metro area. She opened her piano studio in the fall of 2012 and currently offers lessons from her home studio in Overland Park. She is a member of the Kansas City Music Teachers Association and is involved in the music ministry at Lenexa Baptist Church. She taught elementary music at Kansas City Christian School in Prairie Village from 2012-2014. She served as the choral and vocal accompanists for Johnson County Community College from 2014-2015. She has been playing the piano for 24 years and has over 10 years of teaching experience.
Alison holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University and a
Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Wheaton College.
Alison completed her Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University in 2012. While at FSU, Alison served as a graduate assistant in piano pedagogy and taught class piano for music majors and non-music majors. Her graduate lecture recital focused on the relationship between music and other art forms. Her pedagogy research project was entitled "Creative Sound Exploration in Preschool Piano Lessons." Alison studied piano with Dr. Heidi Williams and pedagogy with Dr. Victoria McArthur.
Alison graduated summa cum laude from Wheaton College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Music degree. She completed a double major in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy. During her time at Wheaton, Alison served as the accompanist for various student soloists, Opera Music Theater, and the Wheaton College Women's Chorale. She was the honors conductor for the Women's Chorale from 2009-2010. She served as a teacher's aide for Suzuki piano group classes at the Community School of the Arts and assisted in the planning of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association Annual Conference in 2008. She received the Student Achievement Recognition Award from the Music Teachers National Association for her outstanding music achievements and her intention to teach music professionally. Alison studied piano with Dr. Danial Paul Horn and Dr. William Phemister and studied pedagogy with Dr. Beth Bauer and Dr. Karin Redekopp Edwards. Her pre-college piano teachers include Mrs. Jo Jensen and Mr. Leland Peck.
Alison graduated summa cum laude from Wheaton College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Music degree. She completed a double major in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy. During her time at Wheaton, Alison served as the accompanist for various student soloists, Opera Music Theater, and the Wheaton College Women's Chorale. She was the honors conductor for the Women's Chorale from 2009-2010. She served as a teacher's aide for Suzuki piano group classes at the Community School of the Arts and assisted in the planning of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association Annual Conference in 2008. She received the Student Achievement Recognition Award from the Music Teachers National Association for her outstanding music achievements and her intention to teach music professionally. Alison studied piano with Dr. Danial Paul Horn and Dr. William Phemister and studied pedagogy with Dr. Beth Bauer and Dr. Karin Redekopp Edwards. Her pre-college piano teachers include Mrs. Jo Jensen and Mr. Leland Peck.
Alison began playing the piano at the age of eight. Her early experiences with the piano continue to impact her teaching today.
"I enjoyed playing the piano, but I was not always motivated to practice. There were many days that I told my parents I wanted to quit taking lessons. However, my parents believed in the importance of music and recognized that I needed to continue developing discipline and perseverance They supported and encouraged me through all of the bumps in the road. As I continued to practice, I gradually began to love making music. Instead of telling me to practice, they had to ask me to stop practicing! I began to spend hours playing the piano every day. My experience taught me the importance of supportive parents and teachers who help their students achieve success at each stage in the learning process. I am grateful that my parents and teachers believed in me from the beginning. My hope is that each student who enters my studio will come to love music just as I did and develop the skills to enjoy music for a lifetime."
Alison lives in Overland Park, Kansas with her husband Collin and 5 year old son Noah. She enjoys homeschool Noah and spending time with family and friends.
