"I believe performing music involves the whole person, combining the cerebral with trained physical movement and the vulnerability of free expression. This is living art."

Honored in 2004 as Oklahoma City University’s outstanding adjunct faculty member, Claudia Carroll-Phelps joined the faculty in 1993 as adjunct professor of piano.

Professor Carroll-Phelps earned the Associate of Arts degree from Cottey College and completed the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Oklahoma in piano performance.  She continued professional study at the University of Iowa, with further study in New York City.  Her instructors include Lois Gauger, Digby Bell, Kenneth Amada, and Martin Canin.  She was a member and active participant in Pi Kappa Lambda honor society and Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority

Ms. Carroll-Phelps’s accompanying experience includes New York Conservatory of Dance, the American Ballet Theatre School in New York City, Pittsburg Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Oklahoma.

In addition to teaching applied piano at all levels, Professor Carroll-Phelps accompanies vocalists in the studios of Florence Birdwell and Larry Keller.  She accompanied ballet classes for Jo Rowan with the American Spirit Dance Company for ten years, making good use of her extensive dance background and dance accompanying experience.  Most recently she has performed Paul Schoenfield’s “Café Music” and Stravinsky’s “Les Noces.”

She is a frequent adjudicator of piano competitions, regularly attends state and national conventions, and has served as an artist-in-residence for the State Arts Council, focusing on musicianship through movement and imagery.