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Dan Bickel

PIANO - ORGAN - KEYBOARDS

Composer - Lyricist - Music Coach

About Your Instructor

Sorry,
I am no longer taking students.
Feel free to browse the site, tho.
​

50+ years Musical Performance & Music Technical Experience, 20 years School/Education Admin. Experience

 

Teaching Philosophy:

My philosophy is to present the basics of music for beginners in a positive (and fun) setting, to develop and reinforce music skills and knowledge. As learners advance, lesson plans are custom designed to perfect individual skills and meet interest goals for a practical application of musical skills, whether it be for advanced musical training or for personal satisfaction.

Education/Training:

  • 1955-1964. Piano & Theory studies with Ethel Miller Exley (Concertmistress Cincinatti Orchestra, retired), Oil City, PA.

  • 1959-1961. Violin Studies, Joe Emmanuel, Oil City, PA

  • 1960-1964. Pipe Organ Studies, Jean Stormer, Oil City, PA.

  • 1961-1964. Woodwind studies (clarinet & saxophone), Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra, Frank Puleo; Mixed Chorus, Glee Club, Phil Runzo, Oil City, PA.

  • 1964-1966. Woodwind studies, band arrangement & orchestration, Charles B. Anderson, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, District, Regional & State Band, District Jazz Band, All-state Clarinet Choir; Mixed Choir, District & Regional Chorus, Donald Mowery, Titusville, PA.

  • 1964-1966. Vocal studio accompanist, Joan Peebles (frmr. American Opera, retired), Titusville, PA

  • 1965. Pipe Organ Studies, Wesley Vos (frmr. Associate Editor, "Diapason" magazine), Franklin, PA

  • 1966-1968. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA; Music/Fine Arts; saxophone studies, David Borst; piano/organ studies, Catherine Carl; voice studies, Betty Stewart; IUP Concert Band, Daniel DiCicco; IUP Chorus, Men's Glee Club, Charles Davis.

  • 1970-1972, Penn State Erie, Mechanical Engineering courses.

 

Pipe Organ Building / Advanced Music Background:

  • 1962-1964. Pipe Organ/Piano Technician apprenticeship training, Raymond Oiesen, Oil City, PA

  • 1967. Bershire Organ Co, N.Wilbraham, MA; summer pipe organbuilding apprenticeship.

  • 1968. Tellers Organ Co, Erie, PA; summer pipe organbuilding apprenticeship.

  • 1969-1971. Tellers Organ Co., Erie, PA; pipe organ builder, technician, designer; organist for committee demonstrations & recitals on finished instruments.

  • 1971-1975. Lawrence Phelps & Associates, Erie, PA: mechanical action pipe organ builder, Head Designer.

  • 1979-1982. Tellers Organ Co (re-organized), Erie, PA; pipe organ building, General Manager, Designer.

  • 1982-1991. Bickel Pipe Organs, Edinboro, PA; Master Pipe Organ Builder, pipe organ tuning, maintenance & restorations.

  • 1987-1990. Boro Music, Edinboro, PA; founded & operated retail & institutional music store.

 

Professional Music / Performance Experience:

  • 1961-1964. Associate Organist & Sunday School Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Oil City, PA.

  • 1964-1966. Organist, First Presbterian Church, Titusville, PA.

  • 1964-1966. Vocal Studio Accompanist, Joan Peebles (frmr. Metropolitan Opera, retired), Titusville, PA.

  • 1964-1967. Member, American Federation of Musicians.

  • 1966-1968. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA; Chapter Secretary, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia; President, American Guild of Organists, Student Chapter.

  • 1966-19968. Assistant Organist, Junior Choir Accompanist, Graystone United Presbyterian Church, Indiana, PA.

  • 1968. Organist, Homer City Presbyterian Church, Homer City, PA.

  • 1969. Music Director, "Sidi Players" (theater group), Sidi Yahia, Morocco.

  • 1970. Technical (pipe organ) advisor, "Principals Unshackled" record album, Carlo Curley (International Organ performer), Grand Rapids, MI.

  • 1989-1996. Music & Choir (adult & youth) Director, Composer; Unity of Edinboro, Edinboro, PA.

  • 1990-2008. Music Director (summer season), Unity in Chautauqua, Chautauqua Institution, NY.

  • 1991-2009. Music Director, Universal Unity of Spirit, Lily Dale (Cassadaga), NY.

  • 2005-2006. Music Director/Music Coach/Musician, "University Players", Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA.

  • 2007-2009. Music Director/Music Coach/Musician, "New World Coming Theatre Troupe", Edinboro, PA.

  • 2010-2012. Piano Instructor, Hovland Conservatory of Music, Phoenix, AZ

  • 2012 - present.  Owner and Instructor, MusicScholars Piano Studio, Phoenix, AZ

 

Education Administrative Background:

  • 1994-2000. Postsecondary education Administrator, Director of Admissions, Adult Education Training Division & Continuing Education Director, Erie Business Center,Erie, PA

  • 2001-2009. Postsecondary education Administrator, Continuing Education & Industry-Specific Training liason, Marketing Manager; Great Lakes Institute of Technolology (Allied Health/Medical School); TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy (Cosmetology School); Erie Institute of Technology (Electronics/Technical School); Erie, PA

  • 2009 - Co-founder of Phoenix Rising Free School, Scottsdale, AZ

  • 2010.  Founder of MusicScholars, Phoenix, AZ

Designed by D. Bickel - Tellers Organ Co. 1973
Designed by D. Bickel - Phelps & Assoc. 1974
Console restoration; Burger & Schafer/Tellers 1983
Historic restoration by D. Bickel 1983
Designed by D.Bickel - Phelps & Assoc. 1975
Designed by D. Bickel - Phelps & Assoc. 1978
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