Judith W. Hurst began her musical career at the age of 5 when she started taking piano lessons from Miss Ruth, the organist at her church. Judi became Church pianist at age 12, and remained so until the age of 18, when she graduated from High School and went on to the University of Georgia, on a full Vocal scholarship. There she participated in The Georgia Singers, the touring group for the College. Returning home when her Father died, she spent the next two years at DeKalb Junior College, playing piano and singing. There she appeared as the Mother in “Amahl and the Night Visitors”, Dinah in “Trouble in Taihiti”, and The Narrator in “Sweet Betsy From Pike”. She performed as Guest Artist in New York City for a Christmas extravaganza, and presented her Sophomore Vocal Recital to rave reviews!
After marriage and two daughters, she returned to her music as a Church Organist and Pianist.
Mrs. Hurst has been the Minister of Music / Pianist in several Churches, both in Clearwater and Largo, Florida, for over twenty-eight years. Most recently she has been the Pianist at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Largo, Florida, the third largest Methodist Church in Florida, for over ten years.
While living in Florida, she has been the Pianist with both the "Summit Orchestra" in Clearwater, Florida, and "New Port Richey Orchestra" in New Port Richey, Florida, performing Classical Orchestral, Operatic, and Pop numbers with many Guest Artists.
Judi began her formal teaching career 20 years ago, by teaching private piano lessons in her home. During that time, she also taught K-8 Music at Cottingham Private School in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. The contacts made during those years enabled her to move into the Public School system, where she has been an Accompanist and teacher’s assistant for the last 12 years.
As a teacher’s assistant, she has helped prepare students for both District and State Musical Competitions, as well as Scholarship auditions, with Superior Ratings in all areas of competition.
As Accompanist, she has accompanied soloists and groups at both District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals and Choral Festivals, as well as Winter Concerts, and Spring Concerts.
Mrs. Hurst has honed her Dramatic skills while participating in the Drama Departments of local High Schools, as well as functioning at four different Community Theatres as Musical Director, and./or “pit” orchestra Conductor/player. In the High Schools, she was Music Director for many Musicals, played "pit" piano for the other productions, and accompanied Drama Students in Musical Theatre individual and group Competitions, with Superior Ratings at both District and State levels.
Judi has spent many summers working with Children's Theatre groups as Musical Director and pianist/pit Conductor, presenting full-blown Broadway Musicals, ie. “Annie Get Your Gun”, “Bye Bye Birdie”, “Grease”, “Music Man”, “Oklahoma”, “Superman”, “Peter Pan”, and “The Wizard of Oz”.
Mrs. Hurst has either Musical Directed or been the Pianist for over 40 shows in different venues. The following is a partial list.......... Is one of your favorites listed here? “Cinderella II”, “Saloonkeeper's Daughter”, “Yeoman of the Guard”, “Amahl and the Night Visitors”, “Bells are Ringing”, "A" My name is Alice", “Camelot” , “Call Me Madam” , “Fiddler on the Roof” “The Goodbye Girl” “Annie” “The Sound Of Music” “A Year With Frog and Toad” “Will Rogers Folleys” “1776” “Damn Yankees” “Over Here” “How to Succeed in Business.....” “Nunsense” "Seussical the Musical", etc. She has also been seen ON stage in the Operas “Barber of Seville” and “Norma”, in the musical “The Sound of Music”, and as Nursie in the Shakespearean play “Romeo & Juliet”. Her Dramatic and Musical expertise was also in evidence in the spiritual theater productions of “Then Came the Morning”, “The Story”, “The Miracle of Ebeneezer Scrooge”, and “El Shaddai”, which she Directed.
In the secular arena, during 1997 and 1998 Mrs. Hurst was the Music Coordinator at Homestyle Harmony Restaurant, in Clearwater. As Music Coordinator, she was responsible for auditioning, scheduling, rehearsing, training, and the performance of approximately 30 musicians and singers. She was also responsible for creating all aspects of “Theme Nights” (The War Years, Country, The 50’s, Disney, etc.), including: Special Musical numbers, costumes, decorations, etc., producing a minimum of three, and maximum of five, 45 minute shows PER NIGHT, 7 days a week.
Mrs. Hurst is currently available for Group Piano lessons in Clearwater, Florida . Ms. Judi uses the Mayron Cole Group Piano Method, which is this Country’s leading group piano method! Come and join us for a new adventure in the wonderful world of The Arts!
