Pianist Elizabeth Churchya has established herself as a charismatic and sensitive performer. She has concertized extensively throughout the United States and England, and is the prize winner for many competitions. 

Most recently, Elizabeth appeared as a “Rising Star” soloist with the University of South Carolina Orchestra in performance of the Ravel Piano Concerto in G major and is a finalist in the 2022 Charleston International Piano Competition. Previously, Elizabeth received her undergraduate degree in piano performance from Christopher Newport University, where she won the scholarship competition three consecutive years. In 2011, she made her orchestra debut performing Saint­-Saëns Concerto No. 2 in G Minor after winning the CNU Concerto Competition. Elizabeth earned her Master of Music and Graduate Certificate in Performance from the University of South Carolina. Her principal instructors include Drs. Joseph Rackers, Phillip Bush, Jeffrey Brown, and Lelia Sadlier. She has had the privilege of performing in masterclasses for renowned pianists including Nelita True, Edmund Battersby, Jon Klibonoff, Dmitri Rachmanov, and many others. Elizabeth is a doctoral candidate at UofSC in Piano Performance. Her dissertation research analyzes manifestations of feminism and queer identity in the piano works of Ann Southam.

A dedicated teacher, she maintains a private studio in Asheville, NC and often serves as adjudicator for many competitions in the Southeast. She teaches Film Music online at the University of South Carolina, a course she designed herself and quickly became the university’s most popular music elective. Elizabeth is the current Associate Administrator of the renowned Southeastern Piano Festival, a premier piano festival and competition for serious pre-college pianists. She is a member of the Asheville Area Piano Forum and Music Teachers Association.