Jane Buttars is a versatile musician and innovative educator who has performed professionally as pianist, harpsichordist, vocalist, and dancer for many years.
She has given solo recitals, chamber music programs and lectures across the country, and has released a CD of original live solo piano improvisations, Keys to the Inside. She also directs Music From the Inside, a program of interactive courses and workshops which uses music and movement improvisation to help people develop self-expression and musicianship. She has brought her workshops to schools, colleges, piano teacher trainings, and community and religious groups. She also maintains a studio for private sessions and distance learning.
Dr. Buttars is a Graduate of the MfP Leadership Program, and a past coordinator of the MfP Graduate Program. She was drawn to MfP after burning out from a classical music career, which excluded playing by ear or improvising, and 5 years away from music.
She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in keyboard performance, and was educated at Indiana University and in Germany as a Fulbright Scholar. She has studied improvisation and composition with W.A. Mathieu, recording artist, composer, and author of The Listening Book; learned the Taubman piano technique from Sheila Paige; and supplemented life-long dance training with music and movement study at the NY Dalcroze School.
She currently performs as part of the Momentary Quartet with Lin Foulk on horn, Harold McKinney on trombone and Patrick Whitehead on trumpet, musicians she originally met at workshops conducted by Music for People. This group offers concerts of all freely improvised music.
| Website – Momentary Quartet: | https://momentaryquartet.wordpress.com/ |
| CDs: | Keys to the Inside Tympanum |
| Articles: | Finding the Inner Voice |
| Blog Posts: | Improvisation: Bridge to Our Inner Music Unwritten Notes: Improvisation for Classically Trained Musicians |