Dr. Leonard Richter

Professor of Music

Leonard Richter is professor of music in piano and theory at Walla Walla College. At WWC since 1978, he is an award-winning teacher whose piano students have gained national and international recognition.

A native of Czechoslovakia, Richter completed a Performer's Diploma with high honors at the People's Conservatory in 1962. Six years later he graduated with majors in German and English from Palacky University in Olomouc. After leaving Czechoslovakia he completed M.Mus. degrees in piano at Andrews University in 1971 and at the Manhattan School of Music in 1977. He received a Ph.D. from New York University in 1984.

Richter has studied piano with several noted teachers including Anna Skalicka, Brno Conservatory; Dora Zaslavasky, Manhattan School of Music; and Adele Marcus, The Juilliard School. An active performer for many years, Dr. Richter is a frequent recitalist and accompanist. He has given numerous guest lecture-demonstrations and is a sought-after adjudicator for piano competitions in the Northwest.

While at WWC, Richter has established a reputation for producing outstanding pianists who consistently rank high in regional and national competitions. On four occasions his college students won the Northwest Wurlitzer Competition in piano and advanced to compete against six other regional winners in the national finals. In 2003 his student Stephen Beus was the first prize collegiate winner in the MTNA national competition. Many of Dr. Richter's students have gone on to complete graduate degrees and have obtained appointments teaching piano at various universities and colleges.