Edit Palmer
Lecturer of Music
Edit Palmer is a native of Hungary, where she graduated from the Franz Liszt Conservatory of Music with highest honors. During her early studies, she had won numerous piano competitions including the First Hungarian National Piano Competition in 1980. After immigrating to the United States, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in piano performance at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. While an undergraduate and a student of Dr. Phillip Clarke, she held numerous solo recitals, played in various ensembles, and won many awards culminating in the Tenth Annual Bartok-Kabalevsky International Piano Competition in Redford, Virginia in 1990, which was judged by Gyorgy Sandor, the famous protégé of Bela Bartok.
Ms. Palmer continued her studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying piano with Antoinette Perry and organ with Dr. Thomas Harmon. She received her Master of Fine Arts Degree, with a G.P.A. of 3.96, in 1993. At UCLA, she also worked as a teaching assistant, accompanying for Opera Workshop and voice studios, and won many competitions, including the Music Department's Graduate Scholarship Award for the 1991-92 school year.
After graduation, she became Choirmaster/Organist/Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica where she directed the Chancel Choir and the Handbell Ensemble, worked with professional soloists and instrumentalists, and performed musical works for choir and orchestra. At this time, Ms. Palmer became a member of the American Guild of Organists.
After her move to DeLand in August 1996, Ms. Palmer took the organist position at Markham Woods Presbyterian Church in Lake Mary. In August 1997 she was appointed Adjunct Professor of Music at Stetson University, and in August 2001 she became Lecturer of Music, teaching Aural Training and piano, coordinating the Aural Training program, and accompanying students and faculty. Throughout her career, Ms. Palmer has been teaching private students of all ages. She resides with her husband, Scott, her 18-year old son, William, and two daughters, 6-year-old Isabelle and 4-year-old Emily.