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Billy Test
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Billy Test is originally from the central Pennsylvania region,
having resided in Philipsburg and State College.
Billy attended Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School until his
junior year, and then graduated from State College Area High School
after his senior year there.
As a ten-year old, Billy received the honor of playing in
Merkin Concert Hall after winning the Ole Bull Music Festival in
Galeton, PA. Since then,
Billy has performed there three times.
In the classical realm, Billy has accompanied several Pennsylvania
festival choirs, accompanying under the director of Dr. Peggy
Detweiler, Dr. Christopher Kiver, Dr. Paul Rardin, Dr. Anthony
Leach, and Dr. Rodney Eichenburger.
Billy has studied classical piano with Dr. Anthony Leach.
In the jazz realm, Billy served as the Pennsylvania All-State Jazz
Pianist from 2005-2007 while also being rewarded with the jazz piano
chair in the All Eastern Jazz Ensemble of 2007.
Billy attended the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the
Arts where he studied with George W. Russell, Jr. and George Burton.
For his work of directing a student combo in the State
College Area High School, the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the
Arts rewarded Billy with a scholarship for outstanding leadership
and education. Billy has also
been rewarded with the Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz, numerous
outstanding soloist awards, and several IAJE scholarships.
Billy has studied jazz with Dave Villani, Steve Bowman, Andy
LaVerne, and Bruce Barth.
Billy is currently a freshman at William Paterson University double
majoring in jazz and classical piano performance, where he studies
ensemble work with John Mosca and Bill Goodwin.
He studies jazz and classical with James Weidman and Gary
Kirkpatrick, respectively.