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Gary Amano Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Gary Amano
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Ray Chandler
August 17, 2024
I regret that I lost contact with Gary over the years. I was an organ student in the 70's and had several piano lessons with Gary. His parents would visit Liam at least a few times each year, taking me and others to dinner and ALWAYS picking up the tab and refusing to negotiate otherwise. I had the utmost admission for Gary's talent and dedication. Rest in peace, my friend.
Ray Chandler
L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH (retired)
Christopher Guerriero
December 20, 2023
I had a more complex relationship with Gary as his student. I really cared about him, and I believe he cared about me. I think I'm one of the few people that bridge the gap between those that had polarizing experiences with him, so I've decided to post here.
I knew his mother Smiley, I'll never forget her kindness, how Gary took care of her towards the end of her life, and I'll never forget hugging him at Smiley's funeral.
After a 7 year period trying to get my bachelor's degree at Utah State University, Gary phoned me and apologized that he didn't know how to help me...I think he meant musically, academically, and even emotionally. My time at USU effectively ended my perfoming career, and I think he knew that. We reconciled, and he invited me to play my senior recital and promised to allow me to graduate. We left on good terms, but I think he felt that he had let me down. I called him over the years from my home in California, but he never returned my calls. My last phone message was in the fall of 2021 before he passed; I invited him to stay with me in Los Angeles, maybe visit Disney Hall for a concert. I learned of his passing only a few months later.
Susan Bruckner
August 24, 2022
I just heard of Gary Amano's passing with disbelief and sorrow. I was teaching piano at U of U in the 1980's and I would go to Gary when I needed coaching. The drive to Logan through snow and sleet was always worth it. He was truly a master teacher and could diagnose & solve technical problems like a brain surgeon of the musical world. He was a consummate musician who always got right to the heart of the matter with the perfect balance of grace mixed with highest expectation. He truly influenced me as a musician, teacher and person. The world has lost a great man!
Cindy Cook Heath
June 30, 2022
I am thankful everyday for having studied with Gary Amano. He changed my life. I´m sure he´s busy improving the quality of music on the other side.
Zoe Cardon
January 8, 2022
Thank you, Mr. Amano, from the teenager you taught so remarkably well (and patiently), and from the adult I have now become, whose life was immeasurably enriched by music with your guidance.
Kenton Bruce Ford
January 3, 2022
My heart is so heavy as I struggle to grasp the passing of Professor Amano. He had a more profound influence on my life than anyone else, save my family. He took a young 15-year-old boy with a passion for the piano who was looking for a personal identity and a place in the world and taught me the detail and precision required to become confident in my music and as a person. I am the musician I am today because of him, and although I teach choral music as my profession, the piano is integral to my teaching, and not a moment of my playing isn´t the result of his influence.
I marveled at his knowledge, his memory, and his sight-reading skills. His confidence in me and my abilities gave me drive and determination. His approval meant everything to me and even a gentle hint of disappointment would push me to improve, while the slightest word of praise would send my spirits soaring as I left a lesson! I am so grateful that even after I told him I was choosing to pursue a degree in music education rather than piano performance he continued to give me lessons and share his master teaching with me! A few years ago, I asked him for a "brush-up" lesson, and even as a grown man, while I was prepping for it I still felt the burning desire within me to go in and do my best to not disappoint him! It was with great anticipation that I walked into his office, but this time we began by sitting down and talking. We conversed about the joy of teaching music and our passion for it! I knew in leaving that I was no longer a pupil, but a fellow musician.
When I think of Gary, I will always remember the mischievous gleam in his eye during class when he sought to `trick´ us in various ways as he pushed us to try harder and think more carefully! But most of all, I will never forget his laugh! He knew just how to motivate me: When I asked him if I could learn certain difficult pieces, he would just burst out in laughter! Naturally, that drove me to work all the harder to prove I could do it! He was dedicated to his teaching and his students more than anyone I know, but he could always laugh.
I only heard Professor Amano perform a piano solo once, and that was at my missionary farewell. Upon learning of his passing today, I am sitting down to play the piece he chose to play for me, "Des Abends" ("In the Evening") by Schumann. This evening, I play it with deepest gratitude and in his honor. Thank you, Professor, for sharing your incredible gifts and talents with me.
Kenton Bruce Ford
January 3, 2022
My heart is so heavy as I struggle to grasp the passing of Professor Amano. He had a more profound influence on my life than anyone else, save my family. He took a young 15-year-old boy with a passion for the piano who was looking for a personal identity and a place in the world and taught me the detail and precision required to become confident in my music and as a person. I am the musician I am today because of him, and although I teach choral music as my profession, the piano is integral to my teaching, and not a moment of my playing isn´t the result of his influence.
I marveled at his knowledge, his memory, and his sight-reading skills. His confidence in me and my abilities gave me drive and determination. His approval meant everything to me and even a gentle hint of disappointment would push me to improve, while the slightest word of praise would send my spirits soaring as I left a lesson! I am so grateful that even after I told him I was choosing to pursue a degree in music education rather than piano performance he continued to give me lessons and share his master teaching with me! A few years ago, I asked him for a "brush-up" lesson, and even as a grown man, while I was prepping for it I still felt the burning desire within me to go in and do my best to not disappoint him! It was with great anticipation that I walked into his office, but this time we began by sitting down and talking. We conversed about the joy of teaching music and our passion for it! I knew in leaving that I was no longer a pupil, but a fellow musician.
When I think of Gary, I will always remember the mischievous gleam in his eye during class when he sought to `trick´ us in various ways as he pushed us to try harder and think more carefully! But most of all, I will never forget his laugh! He knew just how to motivate me: When I asked him if I could learn certain difficult pieces, he would just burst out in laughter! Naturally, that drove me to work all the harder to prove I could do it! He was dedicated to his teaching and his students more than anyone I know, but he could always laugh.
I only heard Professor Amano perform a piano solo once, and that was at my missionary farewell. Upon learning of his passing today, I am sitting down to play the piece he chose to play for me, "Des Abends" ("In the Evening") by Schumann. This evening, I play it with deepest gratitude and in his honor. Thank you, Professor, for sharing your incredible gifts and talents with me.
Gary Barnett
January 2, 2022
Prof. Amano was a great human being. He was one of America's great piano pedagogues, and will be sorely missed. It was an honor to have studied with him as an undergrad, and I am so grateful to have been able to call him a life-long friend.
Dana Erickson Gossner
January 1, 2022
Oh, Dear Gary!
You are one of the most important and influential people in my life! I'm sorry you're gone so soon!
What an incredible teacher you have been!!!!!!!! I remember you opening the door of my practice room and saying, "I told you to fix that fingering!" I could not imagine how you could hear wrong fingering through that thick practice room door!
Your incredible teaching made me who I am. It opened so many doors in my life, and in my soul. Thank you for pushing, and for believing I could play all those wonderful pieces you assigned to me!
Hope you find a beautiful Steinway to play on in Heaven!
Dana
Paul Wassermann
January 1, 2022
So sorry to hear of Gary's death. He was a student of my father, Irving Wassermann, and I clearly recall him coming as a young child, with his parents making the drive from Helper for his studio lessons in our home. At USU he championed the piano festival in dad's name and I know my father was very proud of Mr. Amano's talents and accomplishments.
Lucia Pappas Finley
December 31, 2021
May his memory be eternal
Cassandra (Parker) Broadhead
December 30, 2021
Dear Prof. Amano, I cannot express how much your teaching changed my life. Your high expectations were matched by your genuine encouragement and love for your students and your desire to see them excel. You never wanted the attention to be on you. I will miss the conversations we will miss but treasure each memory.
I don't think you will ever know the influence you truly had for so many of us. May your legacy live on through all the lives you have touched for generations to come.
Aaron McClaskey
December 30, 2021
After the many professors I've known, you are still "Professor" to me.
I was 12 when I first started attending USU Summer Piano Clinic and the Wasserman Festival and you've been like a second father ever since.
You taught me integrity on so many levels: of musical interpretation, of thought, and of character.
Any successes in my musical endeavors I attribute to you and the opportunities you afforded us.
You took the piano department from a fledgling dual office and 2 upright pianos, to the worldwide phenomenon it is and "best kept secret in the piano world" (Vladimir Ashkenazy).
To say I will never forget you is to say I will never forget how to teach another piano lesson or play the piano, since so much of what I say and think is a shadow of something you showed us.
There is nothing like watching a Gary Amano lesson.
Placing his hands on the keyboard, he'd say "...you see when you transmit the weight through your fingertip..."
There was an energy, a sense in the air that it was now go-time.
In later years I realized it was not just the words he was saying but the focus and presence he brought.
He had thoroughly researched, he had worked it out in his own playing, he had worked it out with countless students... he spoke as one who knows, because he did know.
In the last conversation I had with him over the phone, he was talking about how you typically imagine that the teachings of a great teacher live on, but that in reality, unless they are preserved, they do not.
We like to say that the teachings will live on through the students, which is absolutely true in terms of legacy.
But none of us are the master that he was, so the electricity in the room is not the same.
And having seen some of the greatest teachers and artists teach... similar, but not quite.
There is only one "professor" and the world is not the same without him.
Nan Croney
December 29, 2021
I learned so much from Professor. I loved the big blue binder he walked in with, no matter the class he taught. He didn't need it or anything else. Every word was profound and I learned to take very good notes, all of which I still have! I'll always be grateful for my time at USU and the YC. I was and am still thankful he gave me a chance to do what nobody thought I could. I, too, still share things I learned from him with my students. An incredibly gifted teacher! Thank you, Professor.
Kelly Anderson
December 29, 2021
Haydn taught Beethoven, who taught Czerny, who taught Liszt, who taught Siloti, who taught Raieff, who taught Gary Amano, who taught so many of us. His is a legacy of the greatest musicianship and education. Thanks to his untiring dedication and commitment to his students, his legacy lives on through so many of his students and his students´ students, and even their students. As a teacher, "Professor" was exacting and, at times, impatient, but he was also humble, humorous, and generous beyond measure. Compliments were not given out lightly, and when students were praised they knew it was deserved. Gary Amano held a high bar for himself and for others, and I am so glad he did. For me, it made all the difference. I know I echo the sentiments of many others in expressing my profound gratitude for his service and mentorship, which have made me a better musician, teacher, and person.
Nicole Stankovic (Chang)
December 29, 2021
Dearest Professor-
You will be sorely missed by my mom and me. You were my teacher, my mentor, and my father figure. Thank you for everything you taught me. I remember my first lesson with you like it was yesterday. I was only 6, and you knelt down to teach me how to read music and how to rotate. I know there won´t be a piece of music I play in the future where I won´t want your advice. We are grateful for every moment we had with you. We´ll miss you.
Tamami Honma
December 29, 2021
His former students are grateful for his dedication and pushing the best efforts out from us. Rest in peace, Prof Amano, your legacy lives on.
Keenan Reesor
December 29, 2021
Gary, you salvaged my prospects for a musical career and generously set me on the path to fulfillment. I could never adequately thank you for positively steering the course of my life, because your indelible influence has proved foundational for me, both musically and otherwise. At the most vulnerable juncture of my entire life, after losing my mother to cancer as a teenager, you took me under your wing and provided not only musical education but much-needed life structure, accountability, guidance, and opportunity. Your passing has come too early, and I mourn the loss of conversations we might yet have shared. May you rest in peace. Thank you for selflessly giving so much and so tirelessly.
Kim Hulme
December 29, 2021
Gary Amano taught my daughter at the conservatory throughout all her high school years. He was a master teacher, and we had nothing but wonderful experiences with him. He was a dedicated artist and could have been a performer, but preferred teaching. He is a person for whom I have great respect.
Pete Watkins
December 29, 2021
I will remember Mr. Amano as a generous piano instructor, who did a great deal to help encourage me to continue developing as a pianist & musician. For a time, he did not charge me for lessons because he knew money was tight in my family.
Lindy Johnson Taylor
December 29, 2021
Professor Gary Amano helped me to be precise and articulate and thorough. He knew how to choose music for the person, and did his best to highlight our strengths. I am grateful for the opportunities he allotted me.
Angela Moulton
December 28, 2021
Professor Amano you will be missed! Your gift of music has blessed my life, and so many others. Thank you for sharing your love of piano performance and for giving me a chance to attend USU on a piano scholarship.
Catherine Brower Dean
December 28, 2021
I will always be grateful for the many things I learned from Gary Amano. He was an amazing teacher and I feel blessed to share so many things I learned from him with my students. Thank you Professor!
Richard & Lynnette Fox Rudman
December 28, 2021
So talented and unassuming. Another great loss for the tight-knit town of Helper. Condolences to the family.
Marilyn Borla
December 28, 2021
I took piano lessons from Gary when I was in junior high school and he was in high school. I was always in awe of his amazing talent. May he Rest In Peace.
John "Jack" Douglas Gray
December 28, 2021
Farewell, my precious old friend and teacher. You will be greatly missed by the many who loved you. I will forever treasure the innumerable memories of you, your family, and our many wonderful moments together.
Laura Zisette
December 28, 2021
To my mentor, the person who opened up to me the music beyond the notes, to a gifted teacher who dared me to be a great teacher, thank you for giving me your best years. 2 memories: I asked Gary if he had seen the film, "Sleepless in Seattle". He said "Yes". "Did you like it?" I asked. He replied, "Only someone without a heart wouldn't like that movie." Another time I was walking down the hall of practice rooms and I heard some amazing honky tonk piano going on. I had to look - it was Gary. He sheepishly admitted that he had played in a dance band at one time. I loved that! Thanks, Gary, for sharing your talent.
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