Collaborative Pianists

Dr. Mary Jo Cox (for Tuba Artists and Guest Artist Recital)

Dr. Cox received her Bachelor of Music from Houghton College, and her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Cox maintains an active schedule as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States. She has served on the faculty of Central Michigan University, currently holds the position of principal keyboardist with the Midland (MI) Symphony Orchestra, and is a frequent collaborative pianist for festivals and competitions throughout the US.

Dr. Ling Lo (for Euphonium Artists)

Dr. Lo holds degrees from Michigan State University (DMA Piano Performance, Collaborative Piano/MM Collaborative Piano), Boston University (MM Piano Performance), and Soochow University (BM Music Performance). Lo is a Teaching Assistant Professor in Collaborative Piano at the University of North Dakota. Prior to this, she served as staff pianist at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Saginaw Valley State University. Lo has been invited as a guest artist to present duo recitals at universities throughout the US and has served as a festival pianist for many conferences and festivals.

Dr. Sheryl Iott (for Euphonium Students)

Dr. Iott is an active solo and collaborative performer, speaker, teacher, and adjudicator. She is an examiner and online course facilitator for the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, and author of "Thinking and Playing Music: Intentional Strategies for Optimal Practice and Performance," published by Rowman and Littlefield (2021). A Fulbright scholar, she taught at the University of Brasilia in 2017 and has served on the faculties of Interlochen Arts Camp, Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan State University, and Hope College. She has studied with Ralph and Tine Votapek, Ian Hobson, and Joseph Evans.

Marie Blair (for Tuba Students and Adjudicators Recital)

Blair holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Michigan State University, a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Professional Performance Diploma from the Royal Northern College of Music in England, where in 2002 she won the Bach Prize and the Piano Duo Prize. As a soloist, she has performed in New York, the Midwest, and internationally. She is a highly sought-after collaborative pianist for instrumentalists and vocalists alike. She now resides in New York.