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 US, Germany, Spain, and Japan, and in venues such as Bach-Saal (Kiel), Orchard Hall (Tokyo), 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).
Dr. Keep is on the faculty of Hope College (Holland, MI), where she teaches courses in piano and aural skills to both music majors and non-majors. She also maintains a private studio of pre-college pianists. Prior to moving to Holland, Allison spent three years in residency in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She maintained a vibrant private studio and served as a Graduate Student Instructor at the University of Michigan, where she taught keyboard skills classes to undergraduates and private lessons to precollege students as part of the Piano Pedagogy Lab Program. From 2016-2020, Allison was on the faculty of the New School for Music Study in Princeton, NJ.
Allison seeks to contribute to the greater piano teaching community both locally and nationally through serving in administrative roles, presenting at conferences, and writing. She recently performed a lecture recital of nocturnes by women composers at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, in addition to co-chairing the New Professionals Committee. Dr. Keep currently serves as the secretary of the board of the PianoArts North American Competition, as well as the Teacher Education Chair for Michigan Music Teachers Association. Allison previously served as Digital Communications and Engagement Coordinator for the Frances Clark Center, initiating the Teacher Education Webinar Series and facilitating over 60 webinars during her tenure.
Currently accompanist for SPERA treble choir at Hope College, Dr. Keep is an avid choral accompanist. Collaborative engagements with Princeton Girlchoir, UMKC Conservatory Singers, Cantala women's choir of Lawrence University, and the Lawrence Academy of Music Girl Choir Program have led to performances at state and regional ACDA conventions. In addition to choral accompanying, Allison is an active chamber musician and especially enjoys collaborating with wind players. She has joined forces with Chinese flutist Guoliang Han for performances for the New Jersey Flute Society and for MusicGoLove, benefitting Eden Autism. She also performed with oboists and bassoonists from across the world at the 2014 and 2017 International Double Reed Society conventions.
Dr. Keep holds degrees from the University of Michigan, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and 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.