Cindy Abts is a specialist in piano, drums/percussion, and music theory. She currently has a private music studio in California’s Inland Empire. Cindy has worked as a performer and educator with orchestras, concert bands, jazz bands, marching bands, drumlines, and drum corps. She brings over 38 years of playing experience and 30 years of teaching experience to her students.
She completed her bachelor’s degree in music performance at Humboldt State University and master’s in music performance at the Ohio State University. She also did graduate work at Ball State University. Cindy has been certified as a teacher for both the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Music Teachers Association of California.
Cindy has taught piano, percussion, jazz, music theory, music history, music technology, music education, and conducting at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels. She has previously taught at Dickinson State University, Ball State University, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Her teaching has been recognized through numerous awards, including being named the “Teacher of the Year” at Dickinson State University.
As a performer she has played in a number of ensembles, including the Ohio State Faculty Chamber Ensemble and orchestras in Eureka California; Kokomo, Marion, and Muncie Indiana; and Fullerton, Temecula, Riverside, and West Covina California. She has been the principal percussionist and timpanist with the Eureka Symphony and the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra.
Cindy’s students have gone on to study music at the university level as well as becoming professional music teachers and performers. Her students can participate in numerous competitions and festivals, including the Royal Conservatory of Music, MTAC, CAPMT, MTNA, ABRSM, NFMC, and the Piano Guild. She also offers piano and music theory lessons specifically designed for those students who are preparing for the AP music theory exam, MTAC Certificate of Merit, RCM music theory and history, college entrance theory exams, university piano proficiency exams, and the CSET music exams.
