Ann Rayburn LeVan, pianist

Sought after as a teacher, accompanist, choir director, organist, soloist, judge, and coach, Ann Rayburn LeVan’s incredible abilities at the piano are unique in every sense.  Ann began her piano studies at the age of seven with Mrs. Hazel Lewis.  Four years later, and for the next two years, her studies continued with Ann Ward.  While in Jr. High, Ann was accepted as a student of William Rutledge, via the North East Mississippi Junior College, and remained his student through her graduation from “North East”.

Ann holds an Associate in Arts degree from North East Mississippi Junior College (1977).  Studying with Dr. Natalia DaRosa at the University of Mississippi, and then with pianist Max W. Pugh at Union University, Ann earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Union University in Jackson, TN (1980).  As a student of renowned pianist Daniel Fletcher, Ann earned a Masters of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Memphis (1982).

In 1982, the music education division of the Baldwin Piano & Organ Co. brought Ann to Cincinnati.  For the next 12 years, while at Baldwin, Ann taught pre-school and class piano, and developed curriculum for all stages of musical education, including co-authoring Let’s Make Music Together! with Judy Long & Suzanne Whitaker.  In 1985, Ann joined the faculty of the Toedtman School of Music, where she met her husband, pianist & teacher Tim LeVan. 

Mrs. LeVan served as organist for Pleasant Ridge United Methodist Church from 1982 - 1986.  Loveland United Methodist Church called her as their music director from 1988 thru 1991. In 1994, having heard Mrs. LeVan perform as organist for a wedding, Blue Ash Presbyterian Church invited her to become their organist.  Two years later, BAPC added to her responsibilities the position of music director; a role that she held through 2003.  Between 2003 & 2018, Ann actively participated at Hope Church, and served Hope’s choir as their accompanist from 2009 thru 2015.  In recent years, Ann has enjoyed ringing in the bell choir at Heritage Presbyterian Church (Mason, OH) choir, singing in their (vocal) choir, and singing with the Mason Chorale - a community choir based at HPC. Officially, Ann began duties at HPC as their choral & instrumental accompanist during the summer of 2022, and continues that role to this date.

. . . and the music stopped - but only for a short time.  On Tuesday, June 6th, 2017, Ann experienced an infarction (clot/stroke) of a .5mm artery serving her spinal column.  This event not only caused phenomenal pain, but also paralyzed her from the waist down.  After a week in the hospital, followed by nearly five weeks of in-patient physical therapy & 'rehab', Ann returned home to many new challenges. To the joy of her students, Ann resumed teaching in September of 2017. As she regained control of her "pedal foot", Ann is once again artistically making great concert caliber piano music.  In short - her determination to return to playing the piano can only be compared to a force of nature.