National Piano Guild Judge for2025

Kay Dawn McFarland retired as Assistant Professor of Music/Keyboard Studies at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and with her husband moved to Louisville, Ky to be closer to her sons and grandchildren. Her hobbies include needlework, Tai Chi, and reading. She is presently loving learning to play the harp.

In addition to serving as a staff accompanist at Eastern Kentucky University and the University of the Cumberlands for twenty years, she maintained a private piano studio with students of all ages and served as a church organist in a variety of churches throughout her life.

Mrs. McFarland holds the Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Union College in Barbourville, KY and the Master of Music degree in piano performance from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky with additional studies done in Salzburg, Austria.

Mrs. McFarland has been a Guild adjudicator for the past 18 years and has enjoyed judging in Ohio, California, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Taiwan and Hawaii and on Zoom and FaceTime for the last few years!!

"I thoroughly enjoy adjudicating Guild Auditions and am excited to be able to travel and hear so many wonderful young pianists. It gives me hope for the future of the arts in our world and enriches my life."