Early Years and Education
Patty Palumbo always dreamed of playing the piano. She traveled a lot in her early years due to her father’s work with USAID and CARE. Born in Egypt, she lived in Turkey, Iran, New Delhi, Belize, Sri Lanka, Colombia, and Liberia. Music was a constant in her family. Her mother who was a musician and she had a great-uncle who conducted a small orchestra in Los Angeles. These were strong influences on her career.
Patty began playing the piano at age five in India, with her mother as her first teacher. No matter where she lived, she enrolled in the local Royal School of Music Program to continue her studies. While in Colombia, an American ambassador heard her play and encouraged her to apply to the Interlochen Arts Academy. Upon receiving a scholarship, she studied there for three years. Then she earned her bachelor’s degree at the Eastman School of Music. Patty later pursued a master’s degree at the New England Conservatory. Later, she completed a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Maryland.
She had one of her most memorable experiences at Interlochen. One day, she was turning pages for a concert pianist performing a contemporary piece. When she turned one page, the rest went flying across the stage. Has that ever happened to anyone else?
Areas of Interest and NVMTA
If given the opportunity to speak for 30 minutes on any topic, Patty would discuss effective practice strategies and event preparation. She emphasizes the importance of listening to great artists perform and using their interpretations as inspiration.
Patty loves listening to classical music and finds deep emotional expression through the piano. Her advice to new NVMTA members is to attend as many meetings and events as possible, as engagement within the association is the best way to grow a studio. Through NVMTA programs, she has connected with colleagues, discovered exceptional young talent, and learned how to better prepare her students for competitive events. She strongly encourages teachers to involve their students in both competitive and non-competitive opportunities offered by NVMTA.
Currently, Patty chairs the Concerto Festival for the K-3 Division and co-chairs the Piano Achievement Awards Competition. She has also co-chaired the Robert Spencer Concerto Competition. Her favorite events are the concerto and duet competitions, as they allow students to collaborate with friends and learn from one another. One of her proudest moments was when one of her students had the opportunity to perform a concerto with the Amadeus Orchestra.
For Patty, a perfect day would include teaching piano, spending time with her children, and taking a walk with her dog—her “favorite child.”
