Founder's Story

Jan Keyser

Founder of Harmony Road Music Courses

Jan Keyser is a graduate of Willamette University with a B.A. in Music with emphasis on music education, composition and early childhood development. She did graduate studies at Eastman School of Music in keyboard performance and music education. Ms. Keyser has specialized training in Dalcroze, Kodaly, Montessori, and Yamaha methodoligies.

Ms. Keyser spent 30 years as a teacher and teacher trainer for Yamaha Music Education Systems. In 1981 she developed the first books in the Harmony Road Music Course Program. At present there are 26 books in this curriculum series and it is distributed worldwide.

Jan Keyser has been a presenter at many varied conferences and conventions. She has presented showcases at Music Teachers National Association, World Piano Pedagogy Conferences, Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, and college sponsored Music Education Days. She is a frequent guest speaker at college piano pedagogy classes, most recently at the University of Oregon.

Ms. Keyser served on the board of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association from 1996 - 2000. She was the chair of the 2000 International ECMMA Convention. Jan currently served on a board of a charter school in her community which is affiliated with the school district and is arts-oriented.

Her emphasis now is on helping teachers gain insight into the way children learn and their potential for musical development. Jan continues to direct the development and growth of the Harmony Road Music Courses and actively train teachers throughout the United States and Asia.