Expertise • Enthusiasm • Excellence

"Our son has had an amazing experience learning piano from Natasha. He previously had two different piano teachers, with whom he did not really connect. In the two years that Natasha taught him, it was very apparent that his interest in piano grew tremendously….. he learned a good amount of music theory, improved his playing technique and level, and developed better musicality. He also enjoyed his lessons very much. Our son will miss Natacha very much as we move out of Massachusetts. We would recommend Natacha with great enthusiasm to any potential students.”
- Parent of 11yo

“Big thank you for everything you’ve done so far for L__! She is really excited about the process. I really appreciate your approach, patience and always jolly spirit - especially the combination of listening to the child and following her lead/ interest (Frère Jacques, black key playing, etc), while at the same time gently working with her on the foundations that are key to long term success.”
- Parent of 5yo

Natacha Rist
Piano, Suzuki Piano

Natacha Rist is a Franco-American Pianist, born and raised in France. She holds her Diploma in Piano Performance from the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, and her Masters of Music in Collaborative Piano with a concentration in Vocal Accompaniment from Boston University with Prof. Allen Rogers.

She counts among her teachers in Paris and in Boston: Laurence Boyer and Gisele Chain (Cortot musical and teaching tradition), Marian Ribicky (Russian school, Neuhaus musical and teaching tradition; Allen Rogers, Anthony DiBonaventura, Lois Shapiro, Burton Hatheway, Mark Kroll and John Gibbons (harpsichord), Lola Obadia (fortepiano).

Natacha maintains a private piano studio in Jamaica Plain, where she enjoys teaching her students ages four to ninety-nine years old. She was previously on the Piano, Chamber Music, and Accompaniment Faculty at Powers Music School in Belmont, where she was also Staff Accompanist, and participated in developing a program of concerts for children. She has extensive training in Early Childhood methodologies, including Orff and Dalcroze, and is registered with the SAA to teach Suzuki Piano books 1-3.

Natacha is an active free-lance solo and collaborative pianist in both the New England area and in France. She is a founding member of Kharis Chamber Players, a multi-faceted chamber ensemble, and of Duo Dolce with violinist Karen Stokke. She collaborates with numerous professional instrumentalists and vocalists in the New England area. She's also in demand as a vocal, choral and instrumental accompanist for schools from community to college level, as well as private teaching studios, providing piano support for auditions, recordings and competitions.

Natacha has held several Music Director (Organist & Choir Director) positions in the Boston area, and is currently very busy serving Interim Music Director for many churches of various denominations in MA.

When not teaching or performing, Natacha is an avid concert-goer. She also enjoys theater, gardening, hiking, yoga, cold-water swimming and reading.

Meet Natacha

1. How/what age did you start your instrument?
   At 7. As to my younger siblings, my brother started Violin at 6, my sister Cello at 4.
2. Did you come from a musical family?
   Everyone for many generations. Mostly string players (my uncles, siblings and cousins), a few pianists. There was sight-playing chamber music every time we got together. France is a melting pot too: I have French, US, German and Russian ancestry.
3. Best or funniest (or even worst!) musical memory from childhood?
   Best: Attending monthly recitals offered by my siblings' Community Music school in St Cloud, France. The quartet of my brother’s teacher Alfred Loewenguth played the whole Beethoven string quartets three times through the years: string quartet is my all time favorite music and instrument (bad luck to be a pianist!).
   Worst: A giggling fit with friends while attending one of these concerts, in the front row (that was not Beethoven though).
4. A highlight or two from your performing career:
   A great variety of repertoire, different instruments, collaborations with many different musicians: Solo Piano, Chamber music, Vocal accompanying performances. Attending numerous fantastic concerts also looms large. Attending live concerts is important for every student of music.
5. What do you love about teaching?
   Motivating my students, helping them to develop musically and artistically, at their level. I always learn so much from them. Teaching the whole person...every student is different, and I enjoy discovering their different personalities.
6. What would you like your students to know about you?
   I try to adapt and tailor my teaching style to the personality and temperament of my students, as much as possible. I don't give up...I have perseverance. For myself, I like digging deep and learning in depth. I always push myself to do more.
7. Can you share a non-musical fun fact about you?
   I started cold-water swimming at Walden Pond, during the pandemic. Can't live without swimming!