Jane Smisor Bastien

Biography

Jane Smisor Bastien developed piano teaching materials through her work with students. Her studies took her to Stephens College, Barnard College and Teachers College at Columbia University. In 1958 she founded the preparatory piano department at Newcomb College, Tulane University, where she also taught piano pedagogy.

Her work with pre-college piano students helped shape the Bastien teaching materials. She continued teaching, writing and composing until her death in 2018. Jane and James Bastien received the Music Teachers National Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, recognizing their contributions to music education.

Written from Kjos: Jane Bastien.