About

Since winning the gold medal at the first Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, Douglas Humpherys’ concert career has spanned four decades across four continents. He has performed throughout Asia, notably presenting concerts and lecture-recitals in all the major conservatories of China.

Mr. Humpherys performs frequently in Europe, with solo concerts in Moscow, Novgorod, Berlin, Hamburg, Prague, Venice, and Dublin, and in Germany, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, and Serbia. He has performed throughout the United States and Canada as a frequent guest artist for Music Teachers National Association. Mr. Humpherys completed graduate degrees at the Juilliard School (MM) and the Eastman School of Music (DMA), where he served for twenty years as Chair of the Piano Department, and is currently Professor of Piano.

In high demand as a teacher, his students have won numerous honors, including prizes at the Honens, Cleveland, Hilton Head, and Poulenc International Piano Competitions, as well as five national first-prize winners of MTNA Competitions.

Before his appointment as Artistic Director of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, Mr. Humpherys served numerous times on juries of Bachauer Competitions. Mr. Humpherys is a Steinway Artist.

Kary Billings has been actively involved with the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation since 1982, when he began volunteering for the international competitions. In 2006 he assumed the role of Executive Director, collaborating with the Artistic Director to plan Bachauer programs, including competitions, concerts and festivals. He coordinates all daily activities of the Foundation, working closely with staff in developing marketing strategies, designing educational programs, overseeing accounting needs, and interacting with Bachauer Board of Trustees.

As a student of Founder Paul Pollei, Mr. Billings attended his first Bachauer International Competition at age of 15. Enthused by the exposure to international pianists performing the greatest piano literature, he has been closely involved with every Bachauer competition since. He majored in piano performance at Brigham Young University, and he continues his musical passions through accompanying local theater productions, performing with other musicians, and teaching privately.

Mr. Billings served as Controller for one of the USA’s top-selling motorcycle dealerships from 1990 to 2003. He continues his duties as Treasurer of his family’s real estate businesses.

Joanne Rowland, Education Director/Artist Liaison, has degrees in education, music, and law. She has taught in public and private schools in Massachusetts, New York, and Utah. Joanne has been associated with The Bachauer since its earliest days when she presented Bachauer winners in concert in the Steinway Recital Series. She served as The Bachauer's New York liaison, interfacing with auditioning participants and competition winners. As Education Director, she works to align the content of Bachauer school concerts with Utah State Office of Education music curriculum.

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With 25 years as a designer in New York City, Curtis McClain has built a career on clarity, craft, and the belief that great design should always feel inevitable. A creative director, strategist, and storyteller, they bring a rare mix of big-picture vision and meticulous detail to every project.

Their work spans branding, content, and digital experiences for clients ranging from global institutions to cultural startups. With a steady hand, a sharp eye, and a caffeine intake that defies medical recommendation, they’ve earned award nominations, been published in books and magazines, and led teams through everything from rebrands to product launches.

Equal parts left brain and right brain, Curtis balances instinct with intention—and believes that the best creative work is the kind that never draws attention to how hard it was to get there.

And while their work now centers around the piano world, they’ll always have a soft spot for the viola. Someone has to.

Jenny is a seasoned musician, actor, business owner, and development professional. She had a professional stage career before spending more than a decade running small business turnarounds and sitting on nonprofit boards. Now, her passion is helping arts organizations fulfill their highest potential through sustainable fund development and community growth. When she's not doing that, she's probably elbow-deep in a vegetable garden or chasing her six kids around the foothills of Salt Lake City. She holds a BFA in Music/Dance/Theater (BYU), an MM in Vocal Performance (U of U), and an MBA (U of U).