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