ELIZABETH TUFANKJIAN began studying piano at the age of 6. At the age of 11, she was given the book of the complete Chopin Nocturnes which she learned in that year. That was when she realized music would be in her life’s calling. Her early teachers included QXR’s radio international concert pianist, Grace Castagnetta.

Elizabeth Tufankjian began teaching piano at the age of 16. She loves to tell her students that she would ride her bike to her piano students’ houses and with the money she earned, she bought her first car. She studied advanced music theory and composition with composer, the late Dr. Ronald Mazurek. As a result, Elizabeth has written piano arrangements of hymns, love songs, and movie themes which she performs for weddings, international church conventions, and recitals. She has been a church pianist for a large church in NYC for several years. Along with her husband, Tom, she has made three CD recordings: Peaceful Consolation I and II and Christmas Dinner. Along with solo piano performances, Elizabeth has performed in ensemble with The Piermont Trio. She also trains students in the challenges of crossing over into improvisation and vocal accompaniment. She has studied piano performance and technique for several years in NYC with concert pianist Eleonor Bindman, whom she still plays for on occasion.

Elizabeth’s resume includes developing an entire lower school music program at Saddle River Day School in 1992. This program included the Lower School Chorus spring and winter concert performances along with core music theory knowledge. The program also included lectures and concert performances focusing on the life and music of the classical masters, for enrichment and music history appreciation.

Elizabeth has special training in Early Childhood Development. This knowledge has been integrated into her piano teaching approach. She not only addresses the fine motor control it takes to play well, but also uses tools such as the synthesizer to help her students listen deeply to different tone colors in the melodies they are working on. Another tool often used is video recording her students’ performances in her studio. These recordings have been used many times for a student’s college portfolio. She has taken a special interest in helping her students become familiar with ways to conquer the challenges of piano performance. She enjoys teaching all levels of piano and considers her student’s accomplishments a joyful miracle. She is a member of the NJ Music Teachers Association.