Lacey Marye

Dr. Lacey Marye serves as Adjunct Professor of Piano at Columbia International University and is an experienced educator, performer, collaborative pianist, and piano pedagogue with more than 35 years of teaching, performing, and mentoring students of all ages. Her career has spanned public school music education, higher education, church music ministry, professional performance, and private piano pedagogy, providing her with a broad perspective that enriches her teaching and mentoring of students today.

Known for combining high expectations with genuine encouragement, Dr. Marye believes every student is uniquely gifted and that excellent instruction combines high musical standards with patience, encouragement, and genuine care for each individual. She believes music is a gift from God that enriches lives and seeks to inspire students to use their musical abilities to glorify Him while pursuing excellence.

Originally from Ponca City, Oklahoma, Dr. Marye began teaching private piano lessons at the age of sixteen, launching what has become a lifelong calling in music education. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma before completing a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Oklahoma State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina. She received a full music scholarship for her undergraduate studies and graduate assistantships throughout both her master’s and doctoral programs.

While pursuing her graduate studies, Dr. Marye studied with internationally acclaimed concert pianist Dr. Marina Lomazov, who now serves on the piano faculty of the prestigious Eastman School of Music, one of the world’s leading conservatories. She completed her doctoral studies under the mentorship of Dr. Scott Price, Carolina Distinguished Professor of Music and Coordinator of Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina School of Music. Dr. Price served as her primary professor of piano pedagogy and dissertation advisor and was the recipient of the 2026 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Teacher of the Year Award, one of the profession’s highest national honors. During her doctoral program, Dr. Marye received the University of South Carolina School of Music Excellence in Teaching Award, presented annually to only three graduate instructors.

Dr. Marye also served as Assistant Director of the internationally recognized Southeastern Piano Festival, one of the nation’s premier summer training programs for exceptionally gifted pre-college pianists. Working alongside distinguished artists and educators, she helped mentor and prepare some of the country’s finest young pianists for the prestigious Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, where finalists compete for cash awards and the opportunity to perform with the South Carolina Philharmonic.

As an active performer, collaborative pianist, vocalist, church musician, and adjudicator, Dr. Marye has presented solo piano recitals throughout South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas and has performed as an accompanist with the South Carolina Philharmonic. During her undergraduate studies, she performed the lead role in Gian Carlo Menotti’s beloved Christmas opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, demonstrating her versatility as both a pianist and vocalist. For more than 30 years, she has faithfully served as a church pianist and university choir accompanist, collaborating with vocalists, instrumentalists, and choirs in both worship and concert settings.

Dr. Marye has served as an adjudicator for the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festival in Oklahoma and the Columbia Music Teachers Association Scholarship Auditions in South Carolina. She is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the South Carolina Music Teachers Association (SCMTA), and the Columbia Music Teachers Association (CMTA), remaining actively involved in organizations dedicated to promoting excellence in piano pedagogy and music education.

Throughout her career, Dr. Marye has taught in public schools, universities, and private studios. Over the past 35 years, she has taught hundreds of students ranging from young beginners to university-level musicians and adult learners. Many of her students have earned superior ratings in festivals and competitions, received collegiate music scholarships, and gone on to careers in music education, church music ministry, and performance.

For Dr. Marye, teaching is far more than developing accomplished musicians—it is investing in people. She considers it a privilege to encourage each student to pursue excellence, grow in confidence, and faithfully use the gifts God has entrusted to them for His glory.