John Foster Beyers

He was born November 4. 1937 in Marquette, MI to Martha “Memo” and Richard Beyers. Jack was the youngest of three children: Lorimer, Elizabeth “Bettey” Tomasi and Jack.

Jack began studying piano at an early age under the instruction of his mother, Memo Beyers and showed exceptional talent at a very young age, performing around the country. He won First Prize in the International Piano competition sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers in 1963. He also placed first in the Peabody-Thalheimer Piano Competition which brought him a full scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he studied under Mieczyslaw Munz and earned a Bachelor and Master of Music Degree. He also held an Artist Diploma from the American College of Musicians in Austin, TX.

During his long teaching career of over 60 years, Jack has had a lasting impact on countless individuals through his love of teaching and love of music. He taught at the Maryland School for the Blind for 27 years introducing innovative methods for teaching piano to visually impaired students. He also taught at the Peabody Preparatory, Baltimore City Community College, and Towsend State University. He adjudicated piano playing events and conducted Master Classes throughout the U.S, including the National Society of Arts and Letters Piano Competition in Washington D.C. and the National Piano Guild Auditions held in New York’s Carnegie Hall. He has appeared in concert as soloist and with orchestra on radio and television from coast to coast. Jack also found time to give back to his profession by serving as President of both the Baltimore Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers for over 30 years. In addition to teaching privately in his home studio after retirement, he served as Organist and Choir Director at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Baltimore.

Jack is survived by his five children: John Ph.D. (Danielle), Lorionna (Greg) Miller, Jeffery (Nicole), Jarod (Ikuko), James Ph.D. (Christie), nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a sister, Elizabeth “Bettey” (George) Tomasi. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Janet of 51 years and a brother Lorimer.