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Larry Kent
Pronouns: he/him/his
Instruments: Piano
Styles: Classical, Rock, Blues

BIO

I grew up in Albemarle County, Virginia, and there was always music in the house. I started piano lessons at age 8, and began playing guitar at age 10, forming my first rock ‘n’ roll band two years later. I played keys and guitar in several bands through high school, and then got back to classical music making. I earned a bachelor’s degree in piano/harpsichord from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a master’s in piano from the University of Miami. I then left Florida and returned to Charlottesville, where I sang with the Virginia Consort and played a few concerts on harpsichord, before heading to South Carolina to get a doctorate in composition and conducting. Some highlights include writing and conducting an opera, a Latin Mass, and some other choral, vocal and instrumental music, before moving to Tampa, where I was the founding Music Director of a professional early music ensemble called Florida Pro Musica. After an exciting 20 years of Renaissance polyphony, Baroque chamber music, and Gregorian chant, I retired from that ensemble and returned once again to Charlottesville and rock music. Since returning home, I have been playing keys, guitar, and bass with several groups around C’ville and the Shenandoah Valley. I started teaching at The Front Porch in 2018.

MUSICAL DREAM/FUN FACT

I heard the Beatles in person, so not much will ever compare with that. Now, I just want to play, teach, and write more music.
“Larry is a patient and kind teacher. His knowledge is vast and he is an excellent communicator. I love taking my lessons from him and will continue doing so, pandemic or not, for the foreseeable future.”