About Shawn Whitmer

Professor Shawn Whitmer teaches beginner to advanced piano, along with commercial and jazz music theory, composition, and arranging. His lessons are structured yet flexible, adapting to each student’s goals—whether they are learning for enjoyment or pursuing a professional path. He emphasizes a well-rounded approach that integrates technique, harmony, ear training, and improvisation, helping students understand music from both performance and theoretical perspectives. With experience in jazz, commercial, and classical styles, he prepares students for recitals, auditions, and beyond. Professor Whitmer holds multiple degrees in jazz studies and theory/composition and brings over 45 years of teaching experience, including more than a decade at the university level.