Ginger Yang Hwalek

Ginger Yang Hwalek is an Instructor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Maine's School of Performing Arts. She holds a Doctor of Music from Northwestern University (1988), specializing in piano chamber music and accompanying, along with a Master of Music from Wichita State University and a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University. Her roles include music director of the McPherson Symphony Orchestra, Central Maine String Orchestra, and organizer of piano monster festivals in Maine. She has conducted collaborations with soprano Nancy Ellen Ogle, releasing four Capstone Records CDs of contemporary American art songs.

Dr. Hwalek's teaching spans university, pre-college, and summer programs, including directing the Maine Summer Youth Music (2005-2009). She currently teaches 12 pre-college students in Bangor. Active in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), she served as Eastern Division President, National Board member, and Senior Performance Competitions Coordinator. Her honors include MTNA Teacher of the Year (2006) and Foundation Fellow (2013).

Her professional narrative includes grants and advocacy for music education, with ongoing leadership in MTNA's National Board (2016 onward). She resides in Bangor with her family.