Biography

Dr. Janet Fetterman enjoys a successful piano career as a soloist, teacher, and chamber musician. She received her bachelor's degree in piano performance from Stetson University in central Florida under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Rickman on a full music scholarship where she was the pianist for the touring concert choir. In addition to her rigorous coursework and performance schedule, she maintained a large piano studio through the continuing education program at Stetson. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1995 and was selected to perform on the commencement recital, an honor bestowed upon students who showcase an outstanding senior recital.

Dr. Fetterman continued her education at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City as a student of Professor Richard Cass. While at the Conservatory of Music, Dr. Fetterman served as a graduate teaching assistant in class piano, won multiple competitions, including the concerto/aria competition in 1997, and won numerous scholarships from a variety of organizations including the Kansas City Musical Club and Sigma Alpha Iota. She continued her work in the teaching profession by creating a studio at the Conservatory of Music and having a full complement of students, as well as instructing undergraduate courses. In 1999 she graduated with her master’s degree in piano performance and was honored with the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Outstanding Graduate Assistant award by the Conservatory of Music. Dr. Fetterman decided to continue her musical education with Professor Cass and began work on a Doctorate of Musical Arts.

While pursuing her doctorate, Dr. Fetterman continued her teaching, enjoying a large and successful studio at the Conservatory. She was an active educator as well as a performer during her studies at the Conservatory where in 2004, Dr. Fetterman received a Doctorate of Musical Arts with an emphasis in performance as one the final students of Professor Richard Cass. After graduating from the Conservatory, Dr. Fetterman continued to both perform and teach. Over the years, she has premiered multiple works for composers, including in October 2004 being the featured pianist with the Kansas City Civic Orchestra in the North American Premiere of “The Queen Symphony.”

In May of 2002 during her doctoral studies, she formed the Roo Duo which had amazing success, winning the prestigious bi-annual Ellis national competition in South Carolina. This competition, sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs, took place in the spring of 2003, less than a year after the founding the duo team. At the Ellis competition, the Roo Duo also won the Abild American Music Award for the best performance of American music. With this prestigious win, the Roo Duo was managed by the National Federation of Music Clubs, which allowed the duo team to concertize throughout the United States for two years. The Roo Duo performed the world premier of Benjamin Lees’ “Tableau for Duo Piano” at the National Federation of Music Club’s convention in Nashville. The Roo Duo’s success also included winning the Concerto Competition at UMKC, enabling them to perform with the university orchestra. In addition, the Roo Duo released an album of their concert repertoire. Even while enjoying the success of the Roo Duo, Dr. Fetterman continued her solo career and won the Graduate Performance Award at the centennial celebration of Sigma Alpha Iota at their National Convention in Michigan. In 2005, she released her second CD featuring solos and duets with another Richard Cass student, Jerry Pope.

Over the years, her performances have taken her not only across the country, but also to Europe. She has been the piano accompanist for the United States Youth Ensembles which regularly tours Europe, including performances in Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. On the solo scene, she has performed with the Kansas City Symphony and was the featured soloist with the Medical Arts Symphony.

After graduating from UMKC with her degree, Dr. Fetterman founded her own private piano studio, which has a large number of students covering a wide range of ages. In addition to her active performing and teaching career, Dr. Fetterman is a sought after adjudicator in both Kansas and Missouri. She is a member of several musical organizations, including Pi Kappa Lambda, Sigma Alpha Iota, Kansas City Music Teachers Association, and served on the UMKC Alumni Board. Dr. Fetterman is also a lifetime member of the National Federation of Music Clubs. For the past 20 years, she has served as the pianist, accompanist, and even organist at Holmeswood Baptist Church. Most recently, in addition to her solo performances, Dr. Fetterman has established a duo piano collaboration with Elizabeth Grace and concertizes to enthralled audiences in the greater Kansas City area.