A Juilliard-trained concert pianist.
A trusted piano teacher.
the world’s only Piano Matchmaker™.
For over 30 years, Erica Feidner has been a performing pianist, a piano teacher, and The Piano Matchmaker™.
While each path in her career is unique, each is rooted in a lifelong devotion to music. From concert halls to teaching studios to elite piano showrooms, Erica brings world-class knowledge and warmth to every piano connection.
A PIANIST
Juilliard-Trained, Artistically Gifted.
Erica’s orchestral debut took place when she was just 11 years old. Later, she performed as soloist with the Albany, Nashua and Vermont Symphony Orchestras, among others. She studied piano performance under distinguished pianists Leonard Eisner, Daniel Epstein and German Diez.
A PIANO TEACHER
Piano Lessons: Custom-fit to How You Think.
Highly sought-after, she’s been teaching piano for over 50 years. Known for reverse-engineering how each individual learns, lessons with her are fun and engaging.
She offers private instruction to beginners and advanced players of any age. In-person lessons take place at her NYC studio, while online lessons take place around around the globe.
The PIANO MATCHMAKER™
World-renowned for pairing people to pianos.
As the top salesperson worldwide for Steinway & Sons for nearly a decade, Erica guides clients to the one piano that is meant for them, while making every match an unforgettable experience.
As The Piano Matchmaker™, Erica is a trusted piano connoisseur. World-renowned for her deep understanding of people and pianos, she was named one of “10 Greatest Salespeople of All Time.”
A Childhood Immersed in Piano and Music
Raised in Old Bennington, Vermont, Erica grew up in a lively home filled with music – and 26 pianos. Surrounded by her family of 7 pianists and piano educators, she began playing at age three, and teaching when she turned nine. Her early life was steeped in music, paving the way for her future as a piano expert and gifted instructor.
Summers were spent at Summer Sonatina, her family’s piano camp. It was here that she developed her talent for inspiring students—a skill that would later define her teaching.
By age 11, Erica was commuting five hours each way to The Juilliard School in New York City. These formative years laid the foundation for her future as a concert pianist and piano selection expert.
A “Miss America” Steinway Grand Piano
While in college, she entered the Miss America Scholarship Pageant to help finance her dream of owning a Steinway. Crowned Miss Vermont 1985, she went on to win a major talent award at Miss America in Atlantic City.
With her new grand piano, she launched a vibrant private teaching studio in New York City, becoming a rising star among teachers and serious musicians alike.
Sharing the Magic of Music with Others
But then, in a terrifying skiing accident, Erica injured the thumb in her left hand. It was the first time in her life that Erica could not play the piano. However, this pause allowed her some time to step away from performance. Her passion for the piano endured – evolving into a new chapter rooted in helping others experience the magic of the piano.
Becoming The Piano Matchmaker™
Having re-imagined a new path, she began working at a boutique piano dealership in NYC while earning her MBA. Instantly at home around people and pianos, she began to discover her extraordinary talent for pairing non-players, aspiring pianists, and world-class concert artists alike – to find the exact piano that was made for them. Each match was guided by intuition, discerning listening, and a deeply ingrained sense of artistry.
After graduating with her MBA in 1992, she joined the iconic Steinway & Sons showroom in NYC. There, among the 400 instruments, Erica developed a near-telepathic relationship with the pianos – memorizing each serial number, recognizing each piano’s unique personality, tonal voice, and responsive touch.
Equally attuned to people, she paired pianists with pianos as if by magic. Often, she’d give clients a spontaneous mini-lesson so they could feel the connection for themselves. The result? Lifelong bonds between pianist and piano—and the emergence of becoming known as The Piano Matchmaker™.
Global Recognition in The New Yorker
Erica became the top sales representative worldwide at Steinway & Sons for nearly a decade.
Her skills caught the attention of a client, James B. Stewart, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. Having experienced the wonder of selecting a piano with Erica, he profiled her in an 8-page story in The New Yorker (“Matchmaker,” August 2001). The article received a National Magazine Award nomination and launched Erica into the international spotlight.
“It is not unusual…to describe her as a force of nature. After meeting her many soon find themselves in the grip of musical ambitions they never knew they harbored.”
James B. Stewart, The New Yorker
International media accolades followed:
- television features on CNN, PBS, and NHK Japan
- a cover story in Inc. magazine
- inclusion in Business Insider’s “10 Greatest Salespeople of All Time,” alongside legends like Dale Carnegie.
A Return to Her First Love: Teaching Piano
Now based in Manhattan’s vibrant Upper West Side, she’s returned full-time to the world of teaching. Her piano studio is located on the same block as Waterline Square.
Her philosophy continues to be helping others meet their musical potential with joy, playfulness, and musical excellence.
The Erica Feidner Piano Studio offers both private and group piano sessions for adults and children at every level of performance, always with a rare combination of expertise, warmth, and lots of fun.
Location
21 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10023
Contact
(917)456-5737
erica@ericafeidner.com
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