Teacher Profile: Farris Turner

About Farris Turner

Farris Turner III is a Classical Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator based in Northern Virginia, but originally from North Carolina. He began studying piano at the age of eight and later pursued Organ studies as well. From an early age, he developed a deep admiration for the works of Classical composers, like Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Haydn, and became drawn to this genre and exploring Piano Literature.

Farris is a graduate of George Mason University, where he double majored in Music (concentration in Piano Performance) and Government & International Politics. During his studies, he worked under the instruction of Dr. Ina Mirtcheva-Blevins and also studied collaborative and pedagogical keyboard techniques with Dr. Anna Balakerskaia, Dr. Eunae Ko-Han, and Dr. John Healey. Farris currently continues his private studies with Dr. Myriam Avalos-Teie.

As a teacher, Farris emphasizes curiosity, musical understanding, and long-term confidence. With Piano students, he frequently uses the Faber and Alfred methods for beginner levels, but branches into Classical Piano Literature as early as possible, once foundations are established. Emphasizing proper technique development and the inclusion of composition and theory as part of his students' study is important to Farris, and he strives to make these studies fun and personalized to the interests of his students.

Farris's teaching philosophy centers on building a flexible yet comprehensive musical foundation while encouraging students to develop into capable, expressive, and independent musicians. His goal is to help students discover the same joy he has found in Classical studies as they explore the art of Piano.