Brazilian-American pianist Rafael Liebich has earned degrees from the State University of Campinas (B.M., 2001), the Federal University of the Rio Grande do Sul State (M. M., 2004), and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the USC Thornton School of Music (2012). His experience as an educator ranges from teaching preschoolers, high-school and college-age students, to adults. In his approach, Dr. Liebich intentionally focuses on incorporating contemporary and popular music as part of literature and method. In Los Angeles, he holds teaching positions at El Camino College (where he acts as Applied Piano Coordinator), and Neighborhood Music School (where he is also Director of Programs and Evaluation). Also sought as a performer, collaborative, and recording artist, he has performed with various concert series throughout Southern California, has recorded a classical crossover album with the ensemble “Helix Collective”, and worked in studio recordings for soundtracks of short movies and documentaries. His scholarly work includes publications in music analysis, music education and sociology, and music interpretation and aesthetics. From USC Thornton School of Music he received honors such as the Keyboard Ensemble Award, the Keyboard Studies Department Award, as well as induction into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society.