J. Earl Lee Piano Festival

Join the Augustana University School of Music as it celebrates the legacy of J. Earl Lee through the annual Lee Piano Festival.

🎹 The festival opens on Friday, April 24, with an evening concert at the Washington Pavilion, featuring Augustana’s GRAMMY Award–winning Artist-in-Residence Matthew Whitaker, who will be performing George Gershwin’s iconic "Rhapsody in Blue" with the Augustana Band.

🎹 On Saturday, April 25, the School of Music is hosting Yamaha Artist Lori Frazier for dedicated workshops for instructors (1-3 p.m.) and students (4-6 p.m.), providing focused exploration of performance practice, technique, interpretation and pedagogy. Registration sessions include lunch for early participants, as well as coffee and refreshments in the afternoon. The cost is free, but space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

The SoM is now home to a 2026 GRAMMY Award-winning artist. In collaboration with the 8-Bit Big Band, Matthew Whitaker took home the award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Capella on Feb. 1 for his organ work on “Super Mario Praise Break.”

The internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist, composer and educator was announced as the university’s inaugural artist-in-residence in Fall 2025. At the university, Whitaker co-leads the Augustana Jazz Combo with Associate Professor of Music Dr. Brian Hanegan — mentoring student musicians in improvisation, groove and ensemble artistry. In addition to collaborating with Augustana’s major instrumental and vocal ensembles, the Yamaha artist is active in recruiting and co-instructing Blues, Jazz and Rock within the Via Viking Core Curriculum.

From a young age, Lori Frazer has enjoyed sharing her love of the marvels of electronic keyboard instruments with everyone. With this passion, Frazer has been able to build and oversee the ever- popular Yamaha Clavinova Festival since her start with Yamaha in 1997. Starting her career as a piano teacher and performer, she saw firsthand how technology could assist teachers of all levels.

Over the course of her career, Frazer has taught teacher and consumer seminars in all 50 states, showing clients how to get the most from using technology. She has given many lectures at national conferences including The National Conference on Pedagogy, MTNA national conferences, as well as the American Music Therapy Association national and regional conferences. 

Joining the Clavinova Connection team in 2004, Frazer has enjoyed bringing the amazement and wellness benefits of music making to many people who never thought it was even possible to play an instrument. She received great satisfaction sharing this wonderful program throughout the United States, especially with the medical and health and wellness community. She is also currently a consultant to the Yamaha Institute of Music and Wellness.

Frazer resides in the southwest with her husband Skip, and basset hound, Beasley.