Meet 2025 Teacher of the Year for Jazz Piano, Piano Composition & Keyboard Beverly Cashin

We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Jazz Piano, Piano Composition, and Keyboard, Beverly Cashin, to share insights into her journey as a pianist, composer, and educator. In this Q&A, Beverly reflects on her early challenges with improvisation and how discovering effective, concept-based approaches shaped her teaching philosophy. She discusses her studio’s balance of strong fundamentals and creative interpretation, shares her belief in steady, patient progress over quick results, and highlights the tools and recording resources she finds most useful for learning and composing. Beverly also looks ahead to expanding her use of virtual instruments and backing tracks, and emphasizes curiosity, experimentation, and enjoying the journey as the foundation of meaningful musical growth.
 

What drew you to learning jazz piano, piano composition, and the keyboard?

When I was trying to learn to improvise, everything I played sounded pretty bad. I followed the teachers' advice, but I didn't get better. I kept tinkering with it until I found some approaches that worked for me. Now I like being able to share those approaches with students. You don't need tons of technical expertise; you need a few concepts, and the ability to experiment with it without worrying how it will turn out.  

How would you describe your teaching studio? 

In my studio, we strive for accuracy in the fundamentals. At the same time, we are open to interpretation. I love it when students have songs they want to learn. 

If you could gift your students one piece of automatic knowledge or ability about jazz piano, piano composition or the keyboard, what would it be? 

If you’re willing to spend time with the scales, chords and exercises, you can become unlimited in what you can accomplish with the piano. Those background skills make everything possible. Just keep plugging away at it, and enjoy the journey.  

What are some of your most indispensable pieces of gear?

The most important piece of gear, in my opinion, is a good microphone. If we can hear each other well, we can function and do what we need to do. 

Are there apps / texts / other resources you often recommend?

If people get into recording, I recommend having either Garageband for Mac, or PowerTracks for PC. With these programs, and a midi keyboard, we can use midi editing to correct small mistakes and get a good recording without having to make dozens of recordings until we get one that's just right.

What’s a skill or idea you’re excited to explore in 2026? 

I want to increase my use of virtual instruments in arrangements of my own pieces. I also plan to make more backing tracks for my students. 

Do you have guidance for goal-setting for piano or keyboard students, or generally?

I have such good students; they are all making steady progress. I think goals for students should be to accomplish the small tasks that your teacher gives you to master. Every time you conquer a task, you've improved your playing. This requires attention to the small details. Over time these small improvements turn into really nice playing. It's the mastery of the small steps that is important. That being said, in my studio we keep a running theory checklist for each student, where we circulate through scales, chords and exercises, and keep track of what we've done.  

Is there anything else you would like to share with potential students about jazz piano, piano composition or the keyboard?

The classical masters were great improvisers. At a certain point that tendency became lost, but is now regaining steam. The ancient Greeks are thought to have never played anything the same way twice. They were constantly creating new music. Opening your mind to create your own music is a great expansion for your musical world. It can be taken in small steps. 

If you are interested in learning more about Beverly or would like to book a lesson with her, please visit her Lessonface profile here. 

Also, be sure to check out all of Lessonface’s 2025 Teachers of the Year here!