Elizabeth Vandevander

VANDEVANDER,

Elizabeth J.

86, long-time Dayton resident, passed away on July 21, 2021.

Liz was born in Camden, Maine, to Rev. Willis R. Ford and Vera T. Ford. Her father's work took the family to

Scranton, PA., and eventually Baltimore, MD. Early on, Liz showed both interest and ability in the piano - studying at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. She went on to study music at Susquehanna University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education.

After graduation, Liz taught music in the Baltimore County Public School system; eventually accepting a position in the Dayton Public School system where she met Bob (Robert) Vandevander. They married in 1960 and celebrated 54 years of marriage before Bob's death in 2014.

With the birth of their first child, Ann, and son, Mark, 4 years later, Liz retired from public school life, but not from teaching! She opened her own piano studio, teaching private

lessons to as many as 35 students a week. She offered her

students summer workshops exploring unusual and unique musical instruments and performance opportunities.

In the early 1970s, Liz began teaching at the University of Dayton. Her initial courses were in applying music in the classroom for non-music majors, using music as therapy, and eventually teaching individual piano lessons for music majors and others who wished to further their piano studies at the

college level.

Liz was also interested in furthering her own education, and studied with noted Dayton pianist, Donald Hageman. Through Don, she learned of Tobias Matthay and his revolutionary concepts about the displacement of tension and his natural approach to the mechanics of piano playing.

In 1976, Liz received a Master of Arts from Goddard College. Her thesis, the application of Matthay's principles of teaching, also included rebuilding a grand piano from the ground up! She continued to enhance her knowledge of applying

Matthay's principles by attending yearly conferences and festivals through the American Matthay Association for Piano. She served as Archivist for the AMAP, editor of the Matthay News publication: 1986-2002, Secretary: 2002-2016, and

received the AMAP's Distinguished Service Award in 2016.

Her love of music led both Liz and Bob to join Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1980. She directed the Cherub Choir for several years, and eventually joined the Westminster Choir.

Liz retired from UD in 2012 after 38 years, but continued to share her love of the piano by teaching part time at The Piano Preparatory School in Beavercreek.

Liz enjoyed vacationing in Maine, kayaking, antiquing, birding, entertaining, cooking, solving crossword puzzles, and reading. She was active with Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Dayton Music Club, Dayton Theatre Guild, and Habitat for Humanity.

Liz played for the DAI concert series, Dayton Music Club, SAI, Shiloh Church Concert Series, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and First Church in Belfast, ME.

Liz was devoted to her students and had a knack for helping them discover the artistry in their music! She enabled them to see beyond just notes and rhythm; imparting the knowledge of how to make a piece of music come to life.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son Mark, and husband Bob. She is survived by her daughter Ann (Rick); grandsons Mark and Michael; sister Charlotte; nieces/nephews Sharon and Jeff, Sara (Dan) and John (Yvonne).

A Memorial Service will be held August 21, 2021, at 10 am, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Wilkinson Street, Dayton, OH 45402. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Liz's memory may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church Music Fund or ID Ministry Fund, or the charity of your choice.

Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.bakerhazelsnider.com.