Newsletter - Piano Showcase, Inc.

Dr. Rita Hutcherson, beloved teacher and friend of many died at the age of 100 on December 9th, 2008 in the Boca Raton Community Hospital after suffering a broken hip from a fall on December 5th. Rita was born on a farm in Adair County, Missouri where she was taught to play piano by an older sister. She continued in her music studies and was one of only three women at Yale University School of Music where she received a two year certificate in Music Theory in 1939. She also obtained a Masters of Arts in 1945 and Doctorate in Philosophy in 1955, both from the university of Iowa, Iowa City. She taught piano and piano pedagogy for 27 years at the University of North Colorado in Greeley, where she was head of the piano department and had a music studio there endowed in her name. In 1975, Rita moved to Boca Raton and joined the music staff at Florida Atlantic University where she also taught piano and pedagogy. After retiring from FAU she continued to teach students in her private studio. Many of her students went on to become professional performers, composers, and teachers, most notably Robin Sutherland, pianist for the San Francisco Symphony and the late Lorrain Hunt, famed lyric mezzo-soprano. Dr.Hutcherson was active in the Broward County Music Teachers Association and the Palm Beach County Music Teachers Association. She was highly regarded and nationally recognized in her chosen field. She is survived by cousins Odell Johnson and grandniece Julie Hicks of Missouri and several other grandnieces and nephews. A celebration of her life was held on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at the home of Sandra Greenland.