A Passion for Helping Students Learn How to Play Piano or Sing
My Bio
Philippa Smith-Tyler lives in the Caribbean, on the island of St. Croix, where she teaches piano
and voice, plays organ for church services, and, occasionally plays in jazz or classical concerts.
She has been the music director for the Caribbean Community Theatre, and is the music
director for musicals at the private school Good Hope-Country Day School.
Philippa was born and raised in Washington, DC. She studied with various professional pianists
and became the protégé of renowned concert pianist and author, the late Vivian Colton
McBrier. Her college years were spent at The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston,
Massachusetts, where she earned a degree in Music Education. Her graduate music studies
included the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, Maryland University,
American University with the late concert pianist Evelyn Swarthout Hayes, and George
Washington University with concert pianist and music critic the late Ylda Novik.
Ms. Smith-Tyler was an instructor of piano and voice for several years in the Washington, DC,
area. She taught music in high school, middle school, and elementary school. She is a member
of the National Music Teachers’ Association, the Maryland State Music Teachers’ Association,
and the Prince George’s County Music Teachers’ Association. In addition to teaching, she played
for churches, and organized jazz shows, turning her home into “an eclectic music salon” for
musicians to perform monthly.
Ms. Smith-Tyler moved to Miami, Florida, “for the flora, the fauna, and the warm weather”,
where she continued teaching music in schools and private sessions, and playing for churches.
She also performed Latin jazz with bands throughout South Florida. Some of her performance
venues were Tobacco Road, the Bass Museum and the Hard Rock Café.
For even warmer weather, Ms. Smith-Tyler moved to the Caribbean, where she currently
resides.
Her students have included the children and grandchildren of famous artists, including the late
classical concert pianist Leon Fleisher. Many of her students have gone on to careers in music
performance and education.
Ms. Smith-Tyler’s easy-to-learn piano book “100 Popular Piano Songs For the White Keys” has
been showcased at book fairs in Germany and in New York. It can be found on Amazon and in
various bookstores around the US and US territories.
To arrange piano or voice lessons, or both, please contact the studio.