About Evan
At age seven, Evan Mook started Suzuki Piano lessons with Kay Pitt, Charlottesville’s first Suzuki Piano teacher. He continued his classical studies through high school, while also playing in pop bands and accompanying the choir and musical theater performances. He then went to VCU to study jazz, and freelanced as a jazz pianist in Richmond from 1996-2000. In 2001, he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and toured internationally with them for two years before hearing from Pitt in the fall of ’03 asking him if he’d like to move home and take over the Suzuki Piano business for her when she retired. Evan accepted the offer and has been doing it ever since. In the fall of 2011 he began designing a Suzuki program for beginners that strives for accelerated learning and superior musicality, and has been developing this program while continuing to teach advanced classical performers and jazz improvisation to all instruments.
As a performer, Evan is available for all occasions, including weddings, private and corporate parties and events, solo or with ensembles of any size. To hear some recordings, please visit evanmook.com.
Two years touring internationally with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
Nine years of private classical lessons, Suzuki and beyond, with Charlottesville’s first Suzuki piano teacher.
Bachelor of Arts in Music, minor in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, 3.89, from VCU.
Member, Golden Key International Honor Society.
Student representative of the VCU Jazz Department’s faculty search committee.
Veteran of the Barry Harris Jazz Improvisation workshops in NYC.
Extensive performing experience, solo and with ensembles small and large.
Consistent first-call pianist for upscale hotels and restaurants throughout VA.
Accompanist for all professional theater companies in Richmond, for the Richmond Ballet, and for singers and instrumentalists, both classical and jazz.
Five years as musical director at Gordonsville Christian Church.
House pianist and music coordinator for Carlton’s, Charlottesville’s first fine dining and jazz club.
“If I’m a quarter as good as the students on your website, that would be my ultimate goal in life.” Taylor Robinson, owner, Taylor Robinson Music, right before we saw him on Shark Tank!
“I must say…I feel he’s a prodigy after 12 years of lessons, Evan took me for an enlightened spin in just 5 mins…30 minutes was mind-blowing.”
-Sofi
“I asked Max what his favorite part of the day was. He said, “Piano lesson, and choosing the Christmas tree, equally.”
-Erik, Max's father
For full letters of recommendation, click here.
