Biography

Refiye is a classical pianist, accompanist, music director, and piano teacher.

 

Refiye studied Piano Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, UK, under the tutelage of John Humphreys, Philip Martin and Victor Sangorgio. She holds a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) in Piano Performance. Whilst at the Conservatoire, she was a finalist in competitions including the Accompaniment and Recital prizes. The culmination of her studies was a solo in a public masterclass performance to Pierre Boulez.

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Since graduating, Refiye has performed Ravel’s Concerto in G with the Solent Symphony Orchestra; played in Paris in a Chopin anniversary concert; performed in the Royal Albert Hall, London, and to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. She has taken further study with Graeme Humphrey (Royal Academy of Music) and at the Dartington International Summer School, where she studied on the Advanced Piano course with Steven Kovacevich. 

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She holds a Postgraduate teaching qualification (PGCE) from the University of Reading, UK and QTS (qualified teacher status). She spent nearly a decade teaching in primary and secondary schools for Hampshire Music Service, as well as accompanying choirs and instrumentalists. Whilst working for the Music Service, she served as accompanist for masterclasses with artists including James Rae (saxophonist) and Ian Clarke (flute). Refiye also served as an in-house accompanist, recital coach and piano tutor for the nationally-renowned Music Department at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough.

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Refiye relocated to the USA in 2018 and has maintained a flourishing career in accompanying. She has worked as Collaborative Pianist and Instructor at prestigious arts schools, including Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.  and The Governor’s School of the Arts, Norfolk, VA, as well as accompanying students at Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA. She has played for ABRSM and IB exams, and is very experienced with this examination model.

 

Refiye also works in theatre as a Music Director and band musician. She specialises in Piano-Conducting and thrives on playing difficult scores. She also devises underscoring and arranges music for straight plays and performs her creations live in theatre settings. She has worked in several regional theatres and Off-Broadway.

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Organizations include:

Duke Ellington School of the Arts, D.C.

The Children's Chorus of Washington, D.C.

Arlington Children's Chorus, VA

British International School of Washington, D.C.

Arlington Public Schools, VA

Prince George's County Public Schools, MD

DC Concert Orchestra, D.C. 

Friday Morning Music Club, D.C. (performing member) 

Hub Opera Ensemble, MD

Synetic Theater, VA

Creative Cauldron, VA,

Christopher Newport University, VA

First Stage, VA

Larz Anderson House, D.C.

Virginia Musical Theatre, VA

Virginia Arts Festival, VA

Zeiders American Dream Theater, VA

Virginia Stage Company, VA

Mosaic Theater Company, D.C.

Constellation Theatre Company, D.C.

Signature Theatre, VA

Stage Left Children's Theatre, NY

The Tank, NYC

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In the realm of music theatre, Refiye is a twice-nominated Helen Hayes Music Director for her work on "On Air" at Creative Cauldron, VA and "Once On This Island" at Constellation Theatre Company, D.C.

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Recent music theatre performances can be found under the News tab.

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She is a member of MAESTRA Music - an organisation supporting female-identifying musicians in the Music Theatre world. www.maestramusic.org

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Refiye loves to tap dance - she was a performing member of the D.C. tap dance group, SOLEdarity from 2018-2020. She also served on the Board as Secretary.

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Refiye currently resides in NY and continues to work in D.C. and VA.

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