Elisabeth Malcolm
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Over 20 years of experience teaching students of all ages
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Former faculty at highly respected music institutions
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Specialized training in collaborative, ensemble-based piano learning
Bio
Lis was destined for a life of music. Raised in a musical family, she grew up listening to her father perform viola with the North Carolina Symphony and observing her mother teach violin. She began her own musical studies at the age of five, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to music and teaching.
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Lis has enjoyed teaching students of all ages and abilities since 2001. She loves teaching, accompanying, playing piano at church, and collaborating with other musicians. Her passion is helping students build strong musical foundations while developing confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love and appreciation for music.
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Outside of the studio, Lis enjoys life with her husband and their three energetic children. As both a teacher and a parent, she understands how children learn and grow at different stages, and her teaching is shaped by what works in real family life. Music is a meaningful part of their household, and Lis values creating lessons that are structured, encouraging, and joyful—supporting each student’s growth both at the piano and beyond.
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Lis’s teaching is grounded in extensive classical training and professional study, shaped by close work with students and families.
Education & Professional Training
Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelors of Arts in Violin
Strong classical foundation in piano technique, musicianship, and performance, including two solo piano recitals and coursework in piano pedagogy, music theory and history, collaborative piano, and ensemble performance including orchestral, string quartet, and piano trio settings.
Masters of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy
Advanced training in piano performance and pedagogy, including two graduate recitals (solo and collaborative), extensive coursework in piano pedagogy, music theory and history, and hands-on teaching experience. Lis served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, teaching class piano, and completed a master’s thesis, Awareness, Breathing, and Alignment: Injury Prevention for Pianists as Lifestyle, which focused on healthy, sustainable piano technique and physical wellness at the keyboard.
Post-Graduate Fellowship & Faculty Experience
Completed a nine-month post-graduate fellowship centered on thoughtful, child-centered piano teaching. Training included regular lesson observation with ongoing feedback from the school’s Educational Director, team-teaching group classes, and developing detailed lesson plans with clear, long-term goals that guided instruction throughout the year. Following the fellowship, Lis served as a full-time faculty member at The New School for Music Study for an additional year.
Teaching Experience
Lis brings over two decades of teaching experience to Ensemble Piano Studio, working with students of all ages and stages—from young beginners to advancing pianists. Since founding her own studio, she has guided hundreds of students as they grow in confidence, musicianship, and joy at the piano.
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In addition to her private studio, Lis has served on the faculty of several respected music institutions, including The New School for Music Study, High Point University, and Ravenscroft School. These experiences have shaped her thoughtful, student-centered approach, blending strong musical foundations with encouragement, collaboration, and long-term growth.
Parents value Lis’s ability to meet each child where they are while maintaining high expectations in a warm, supportive environment. Her teaching reflects both extensive professional experience and a deep understanding of how children learn best—over time, with consistency, and in community.