​Ellen Figueira has played piano since she was three years old, at which time she first observed her older sister playing a mysterious instrument with black and white keys, and was determined to try this out for herself Ms. Figueira is pleased to assert, years later, that the piano is still a wondrous instrument. She began private lessons at age 6, continued formal lessons throughout high school and resumed them as a young adult. The formal lessons before entering college were with Roy Bogas (who was a place-winner in the 1962 Tchaikovsky Competition student of Rosa Lhevinne). During and after a technical career with General Electric Company and at NASA Ames Research Center in California, she resumed formal lessons throughout adulthood. Most recently, she has been coached by Elena Abend (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee); currently she pursues an Associate Diploma programs (Piano Performance) through the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program (RCMCP). Ms. Figueira has also accompanied many students in recitals, scholarship competitions, and recordings, and has accompanied college students for semiannual jury performances.
In addition to her studio and various performance engagements of her own, she is a strong believer in continuing education for herself. She is a member of the Wisconsin affiliate of the National Federation of Music Clubs, the Lake Country Music Club, the Milwaukee Music Teachers Association, and other local music organizations. She has obtained the National Gold Medal for Elementary Piano Pedagogy, sponsored by the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), and is in the process of studying for her Associate of the Royal Conservatory (ARCT) degree in Piano Performance. She has also attended ongoing master classes and workshops presented by the Golandsky Institute, the RCM, and the Frances Clark Center for Piano Pedagogy; and specialty workshops presented by Robert Durso, Kevin Olson, Robert Vandall, Judit Jaimes, Catherine Rollin, Ed Lancaster, Melody Bober, Wynn-Anne Rossi, Elena Abend, Jason Sifford, and Carol Matz. M. Figueira enthusiastically (and carefully) encourages and prepares her students to participate, as they are able, in many regularly-scheduled evaluation festivals. These include festivals offered for students of all ages by Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program (RCMCP), the Wisconsin Federation of Music Clubs (WFMC), the Lake Country Music Club (LCMC), and the Milwaukee Music Teachers Association (MMTA). Other events, which her students under age 19 have participated in, are offered by the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA), Waukesha County 4-H, Milwaukee Piano Arts (affiliated with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra), and other organizations.
One of her favorite activities is to hold recitals (both group and solo recitals) frequently throughout the year, to afford as many of her students as possible the chance to play for others in a formal yet supportive setting.
Ms. Figueira likes to think of her studio as a friendly place where there is laughter and sheer enjoyment of music production, but above and beyond that she would stress three things in her studio:
to train her students to play competently and attractively,
to help them appreciate their progress while helping them set goals for their playing,
to share their musical gifts with others.
During the pandemic of 2020-2021, she continued teaching online and organized two virtual recitals in 2020, and was very grateful for the ongoing support and enthusiasm of her students and their families.
Online lessons are available upon request.
To Ms. Figueira, every day brings something new to learn in music, and she appreciates being inspired by her students to present musical concepts in creative ways.
Whatever your age and ability, Ms. Figueira welcomes you to her studio!