Collaborative Piano

My Thoughts
On the Art of Accompanying

    Being an accompanist requires a varied and diverse skill set beyond those required of a solo concert pianist. While my classical pianist training began at age 5 and I mastered the most difficult repertoire in the solo piano literature at a very early age, I was also lead trumpet all through school and acquired years of experience in ensembles of every kind under all kinds of conductors. From the beginning, it seemed that the nuances required of being a part of a group including a wide array of listening and self evaluation skills came very naturally to me.

    As an accompanist,  I love the challenges involved in playing very difficult music with compelling artistry while in collaboration with other instrumentalists or singers and under the direction of a conductor. The ability to hear and react to a tapestry of musical events all at the same time while following the  conductor or soloist, is a multilevel endeavor that is tremendously satisfying to me. The ebb and flow of the dance of lead and follow can be quite compelling, and if done well, can greatly enhance or limit an ensemble.  Highlighting the performers no matter how easy or complex the music is, regardless of the quality of the instrument can inspire everyone involved and take a performance to a magical level.       

    I sight read well and learn music quickly, including orchestral reductions and choral scores.   Beyond skills required to assist in learning notes, I see my role as pianist as one that enhances the music with pianistic skill and beauty while creang a live foundation that supports and flexes in real time what’s being created. While I do enjoy being a support to beginning conductors with my playing, I love rehearsals where music is being made from beginning to end, each and every rehearsal no matter what phase of learning it is.  My connection with the conductor is paramount to the success of the ensemble and the teamwork required involves trust and respect.  Beyond that, if there is a devotion to musicianship at every phase of the learning the partnership can be tremendously satisfying.

 
Contact to Hire

Accompaniment Highlights

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Directing  the Ladies Ensemble Performing Selections from "Sister Act" 

 Unity of Roanoke Valley.  (I made the head pieces!) 
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Accompanying Chamber Voices

Patrick Henry High School Choral Department
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Accompanying Choral Assessment Patrick Henry Women's Choir

Radford University,  Radford, VA
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Accompanying Fleming Choral Department

Fleming High School, Roanoke VA

From Students and Clients


"The quality of a pianist makes or breaks any type of choir. You, my dear lady, add so very much to RVCS!  You're a game changer! Thank you so very much!"
"I believe I speak for our Board when I say thank you for your abilities, musicianship, attention to detail, and love of good music. Together we have experienced many beautiful moments of music. The collaboration has been inspiring for me and for our singers."
"While I am happy to hear you have new projects upcoming, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss at your leaving us. I have admired both your professionalism and your musicianship, and you have played a big role in our successes."
"Janice,  you are such a remarkable accompanist, and such an outstanding musician!!!!!!!!!!!  Thank you for sharing your many gifts and talents with us, and for working with our conductor to help us make such a wonderful sound!!!!!! "
"I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed coming to rehearsal knowing that you are the accompanist. You have been kind and friendly and have done a wonderful job in bringing out the musicality of the Choral Society."
"You will be very missed! Thanks for sharing your talents with RVCS and the broader community -- we have all been made better for it."
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your hard work and flexibility. Janice, thank you for playing beautifully (as usual!) and supporting us. Soloists and duets...OH, MY GOODNESS! Your pieces were priceless."
"I've said multiple times that you make us sound better!  You have been a blessing."
"Dr. Cusano plays the piano with so much passion, it is almost as enjoyable to watch her play as to hear her.  An amazingly talented piano player!"
"As an accompanist, Dr. Cusano greatly compliments and enhances other musicians and singers.   Whether she’s accompanying amateur musicians playing Fleetwood Mac, or professional orchestral musicians playing advanced classical pieces, she adds so much color, texture, and fullness of sound to her collaborations.”
"As a singer, it is so important to have an accompanist who is able to catch you if you make a mistake and follow along with you to make it unnoticeable for the audience. I have found over the many years that I have worked with Dr. Cusano that she never misses a beat even when I do!"
"Thank you for the way you support the singers in such a musical way, but much more for the way you support me as the director."
"Thank you for your beautiful piano music and support of our singing!"
"What a delight- you sing with with such soul and emotion- so much enjoyment of the richness of skill and virtuosity on the piano and of the magnificence of the music you play.  I am so often nourished by your  concerts."
"We are so grateful for you at PH and in Roanoke in general! You have poured so much into this music program and into me personally. You are such a bright light.  Thank you for being you and sharing your gifts and your presence with us!"
"Whether it is the prelude, the offertory, or accompaniying the vocalist or choir, your piano performance is always exquisite. While I know that you possess a great talent, I also know that continual practice and rehearsing are required. While you make it seem to just flow without effort, I appreciate that a great deal more is required. The Christmas Cantata was magnificent and could not have happened without you."
"Without you what kind of choir would we be?"
"Thank you for being so awesome! We couldn't do the things we do without you!"
"We are grateful for you dedication to excellence in our music program and for all your efforts to support it especially the amazing concert you gifted!"
"Thank you so much for accompanying us on Tuesday. You are an incredible accompanist and I can't wait to work with you more in the future."
"Janice is a truly gifted artist. To hear her play solo is always a transcendent experience, full of emotion and beauty. As an accompanist, she is collaborative and supportive, adding immense depth to the overall performance."
"Janice's own personal music with her piano and voice is brilliant, and helps us find peace in meditation, and laughter and tears in inspiring tunes."