Premier Piano Course: Performance Books

Teachers consistently turn to Dennis Alexander's Premier Piano Course, Theory 1A and Theory 1B as reliable starting points for young pianists learning to read and understand music fundamentals. The series progresses logically through Theory 2A, 2B, 3, 4, and 5, allowing you to move students forward with material that deepens their theoretical knowledge alongside their performance skills.

Dennis Alexander has spent decades defining what effective educational piano music looks like. Since joining Alfred Music in 1986, he has published over 400 works for students at every level, earning an international following for compositions that teach as they engage. His work on the Premier Piano Course reflects his long career teaching piano pedagogy at the University of Montana.

Gayle Kowalchyk brings classroom expertise from both group piano and private instruction, having coordinated piano programs at two universities while earning degrees in performance and pedagogy from Ohio University, Northwestern, and Columbia. Her contributions to the Premier Piano Course draw on decades of experience teaching students to understand music theory in practical, playable contexts.

E. L. Lancaster shaped educational piano publishing from within Alfred Music as Executive Editor for Piano, while also teaching piano pedagogy and group piano at the University of Oklahoma for nearly two decades. His background in both publishing and university-level instruction informs the pedagogical rigor throughout this series.

Martha Mier brings an international reputation as both a composer and clinician whose educational works have reached students worldwide. Her prolific output for Alfred Music, including celebrated series like Jazz, Rags & Blues and Romantic Impressions, demonstrates her gift for creating music that students enjoy playing while learning fundamental concepts.