Premier Piano Course: Supplementary Books

Teachers return consistently to Dennis Alexander's Christmas books, particularly his Level 1B and 2A volumes, which introduce holiday repertoire at just the right difficulty. Gayle Kowalchyk's Notespeller 1A and 1B titles provide targeted note-reading practice that complements the main course materials. Alexander's Pop and Movie Hits arrangements at levels 1B and 2A give students contemporary songs they recognize and want to play.

Dennis Alexander has created over 400 published titles for Alfred, establishing himself as one of the world's most prolific composers of educational piano music. His Christmas collections across levels 1A through 2B are widely adopted, and his Pop and Movie Hits arrangements bring contemporary appeal to early-level repertoire.

Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk teaches piano pedagogy at California State University, Northridge, and holds degrees in both piano performance and pedagogy from Ohio University, Northwestern, and Teachers College Columbia. Her Notespeller series provides systematic reading reinforcement that teachers value as a complement to core course work.

Dr. E. L. Lancaster served as Executive Editor of Piano for Alfred Music and was a longtime professor of piano pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma. His understanding of how students learn translates into supplementary materials that address specific skill gaps across the early levels.

Victoria McArthur directed piano pedagogy and group piano at Florida State University and has authored or coauthored over 80 publications, including the Premier Piano Course itself. Her work as a Keyboard Editor for Alfred since 2000 ensures her supplements align closely with contemporary pedagogical practice.