Testimonials

Satisfied Teen Students

My daughters had the amazing opportunity to take organ lessons with Dr. John Schwandt through the Ohio ACE program this summer.

Dr. Kris Rizzotto

Dr. John Schwandt and the American Organ Institute he created at OU captivated me since we first met at the 2012 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. John Schwandt for nearly 30 years. We have had him come to St. Olaf College numerous times for recitals, silent films, and masterclasses and he never fails to inspire through his playing and teaching.

Dr. Andrew Schaeffer

There is no shortage of descriptive words one could apply to Dr. John Schwandt: talented, fastidious, passionate, are but a few. Yet I think “communicator” describes him the best.

Zachary Brockhoff

I had the privilege of studying with Dr. John Schwandt from 2012-2015 and received my Master’s Degree in Organ and Church Music under his guidance.

Craig Sproat

I had the privilege to study with John Schwandt at both Indiana University and the University of Oklahoma for my graduate degrees and eventually joined him on the faculty at OU.

Christopher Ganza

I had the pleasure of studying with Dr. Schwandt from 2010 until 2015, and received my Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees under his tutelage.

Carla Edwards

Dr. John Schwandt has been a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend for almost 30 years. He is one of the most brilliant and creative organists of his generation, and his newest adventure (The American Organ Academy) is just one of the examples of his dedication to the organ field.

C. Joseph Nichols

I first met Dr. John Schwandt in 2007. I was serving my first year as president of the American Institute of Organbuilders. John had asked if he could make a presentation to the AIO board of directors during our annual convention and we obliged.

Olivia Burke

I have had the honor of knowing John Schwandt since I began auditioning at multiple schools around the country for my master’s degree in 2008.

Paul Watkins

When I studied with Dr. Schwandt, I was initially impressed by many of his great qualities: an incredible performer, unparalleled improviser, and a brilliant silent film accompanist.

Samuel Backman

My studies with John Schwandt trained me not merely to be an organist, but a well-rounded musician.

Mayu H. Allen

I am so happy to see the development of the AOA. It will be a much needed educational resource for our profession.

Julie Huang Tucker, MM

My time as a Master’s student in Dr. John Schwandt’s organ studio at the University of Oklahoma (Fall 2009 – Spring 2011) was a positive, exemplary, life-changing experience.

Barry A. Norris

John Schwandt first played at East Lake United Methodist Church over ten years ago.

Andrea Printy Buttine, MM

I had the privilege of studying organ with Dr. Schwandt for two years at the University of Oklahoma. He was a superior and innovative teacher who guided me in improving my technical playing ability as well as my musical interpretation of everything from Sweelinck to Leo Sowerby's Pageant.

Rachel Gucker, MM

Dr. Schwandt is the best teacher I’ve ever had. His own work is technically exquisite, deeply expressive, and powerfully inspiring, but he is so much more than an artist

Bradley Fitch, DMA

I have had the privilege to know John Schwandt for over fifteen years as a teacher, mentor, and friend.

James W. Guyer, DM

I am an organist and church musician with advanced degrees in music and organ performance. I enrolled in the American Organ Academy's intensive course in improvisation, focusing on harmonic control, treatment of melodies, and an introduction to silent film accompaniment.

Jeffrey Dexter

At the American Organ Academy, we are working to provide practical, hands-on training for both the technical and musical study of the pipe organ. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are excited and honored to be a part of this new and vital program.