Music Conservatory of Westchester • Faculty

Barbara Podgurski grew up in Maspeth, Long Island. She earned her bachelors and masters degrees in piano performance and music theory at Mannes College of Music and is currently completing her doctoral degree at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

Barbara has served on the Conservatory faculty since 1999, teaching piano and music theory classes. She also hold faculty positions at Hunter College and Mercy College.

Of her teaching approach, Barbara says, “Rather than trying to fit a student into a pre-determined mold, I like to work with and nurture each student’s innate abilities. I place a strong emphasis on rhythm, phrasing, and a healthy posture at the instrument. Learning music is like learning a language.”

An active soloist and chamber music performer, Barbara made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2002. She has performed as soloist and collaborative pianist at Merkin Hall, Steinway Hall, Caramoor Center for the Arts, Donnell Library, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Trinity Church, National Arts Club, the University Club, Yale University, and Columbia University. She has been heard live on WNYC, WQXR, WQED, and WPLN radio. She is the executive director of Musica Reginae Productions and is the artistic director of the Nantucket Island Academy of Music.

Photo/Pinsky Studio

Return to complete Faculty List

Conservatory faculty are all highly skilled and experienced teachers. Teachers are assigned to maximize the learning experience of each student taking into account the students musical interests and goals, age and scheduling needs.

"I am very happy and proud of Jun Luke Foster’s and Benjamin Boventer’s achievements. I taught Jun Luke for 12 years and his acceptance to Juilliard School of Music is a great sign of his musical maturity and accomplishment. He was also accepted to Harvard and Yale. Benjamin was with me for five years. He won a prestigious $40,000 scholarship from Skidmore College for music studies. He was the only pianist in that competition who received this award. He was also accepted at Tufts University. It is very satisfying to know that our students continue to achieve such success." —Svetlana Gorokovich, MCW Faculty

Conservatory faculty are all highly skilled and experienced teachers. Teachers are assigned to maximize the learning experience of each student taking into account the students musical interests and goals, age and scheduling needs.

"I am very happy and proud of Jun Luke Foster’s and Benjamin Boventer’s achievements. I taught
Jun Luke for 12 years and his acceptance to Juilliard School of Music is a great sign of his musical maturity and accomplishment. He was also accepted to Harvard and Yale. Benjamin was with me for five years. He won a prestigious $40,000 scholarship from Skidmore College for music studies. He was the only pianist in that competition who received this award. He was also accepted at Tufts University. It is very satisfying to know that our students continue to achieve such success."
—Svetlana Gorokovich, MCW Faculty

Barbara Podgurski | Piano, Theory

Music Conservatory of Westchester • 216 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606
914.761.3900 • info@musiced.org

The Music Conservatory of Westchester is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Site designed by 744Creative.com