As pianist, educator, collaborative musician, and administrator,

Allison Shinnick Keep advocates for the transformative role that music can play in society and in the lives of individuals. Her solo and collaborative performances have been heard across the U.S., Germany, Spain, and Japan, and in venues such as Bach-Saal (Kiel), Orchard Hall (Tokyo), Hill Auditorium (Ann Arbor), Helzberg Hall (Kansas City), and Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall (NYC). A champion of American works, Allison’s repertoire includes compositions by Griffes, Liebermann, and Price, and she has appeared as soloist in concerti by Amy Beach (Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra) and Aaron Copland (Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra).

 

A dedicated teacher, Dr. Keep received extensive pedagogical training at the New School for Music Study in Kingston, New Jersey, where she served on the faculty for four years. She has also held graduate teaching assistantships at the University of Michigan and the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Allison is currently on the faculty of Hope College (Holland, Michigan), where she teaches courses in piano and aural skills. She also maintains a vibrant private studio of pre-college pianists.

 

Allison is one half of the Keep Piano Duo, performing frequently alongside her husband, Dr. David Keep. They made their duo debut in 2023 in Kiel, Germany, in collaboration with the Research Center for the Complete Edition of Johannes Brahms. Recent duo highlights include appearing as soloists for Carnival of the Animals with the Holland Symphony Orchestra, a research project focused on the historical implications of four-hand waltz performance, and recitals in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. 

 

Dr. Keep is also an avid choral accompanist. Currently serving as accompanist for SPERA treble choir at Hope College, previous positions with Princeton Girlchoir, UMKC Conservatory Singers, Cantala women's choir of Lawrence University, and the Lawrence Community Music School Girl Choir Program have led to several performances at state and regional ACDA conventions.

 

Allison seeks to contribute to the greater piano teaching community both locally and nationally through serving in administrative roles, presenting at conferences, and writing. Her recent lecture recitals, Women of the Nocturne and Aaron Copland at the Piano: a Distinct American Voice, have been heard at state and national conferences, and her writing has appeared in the Piano Magazine, Piano Inspires Kids magazine, and on the Piano Inspires Discovery Blog. In addition to chairing the New Professionals Committee for NCKP: The Piano Conference, Dr. Keep has served on the boards of the PianoArts North American Competition, the Piano Teachers Forum of Central New Jersey, and the Michigan Music Teachers Association.

 

Allison holds a DMA in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Michigan; she earned a Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City; and she holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance and oboe performance with a minor in German from Lawrence University. She studied piano with Arthur Greene, Robert Weirich, and Catherine Kautsky, and her pedagogy mentors include John Ellis, Amy Glennon, and Mary Van De Loo.