Rebekah Stiles on Beauty in Piano Music and Performance

In this episode of the Beauty Through Faith podcast, host Gustav Hoyer engages with pianist Rebekah Stiles to explore the intersection of art, beauty, and faith. They discuss the significance of beauty in the Christian tradition, the role of different musical traditions, and the impact of church and secular contexts on artistic expression. Rebekah shares her insights on the importance of the performer in music, the communal aspect of art, and her future pursuits in both the church and the broader artistic community.Rebekah Stiles at Cairn UniversityRebekah Stiles at the Csehy Summer School of Music BiographyOriginally from Souderton, PA, Rebekah Stiles is a pianist and educator working at the intersection of theology and the arts. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Piano Performance and Bible from Cairn University and a M. Mus. and D.M.A. in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.As a performer and collaborator, Stiles has exercised her versatility in the solo, chamber, and church settings. Her recent solo recitals have featured the works of Liszt, Schubert, Rameau, Janáček, Bartók, and Barber, and she has given solo performances both locally and internationally. In 2019, she received first-place honors in the Crescendo International Music Competition, delivering a winner’s performance at Carnegie Hall. In 2022 and 2023, she participated in the Piano Plus Festival in Xanthi, Greece, and she has performed in masterclasses with Arnaldo Cohen, the Naughton Duo, Behzod Abduraimov, and Emanuel Ax. As a collaborative musician, Stiles has performed three times as soloist with orchestra, performing with the Cairn Symphony Orchestra in 2019 and with the UNL Symphony Orchestra in 2022 and 2023. During her time at Cairn, she specialized in piano duet repertoire, and she has since expanded her scope to encompass a wide variety of works, including George Walker’s Music for 3, Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet in G minor, and the world premiere of Heinrich Biber’s complete rosary sonatas for viola and continuo, transcribed by Gabriel Forero. She has also led a fruitful career as a church pianist since 2013.Stiles currently works as a member of the adjunct music faculty at Cairn University as well as an Affiliate Artist, maintaining a private studio and teaching courses in piano pedagogy, performance, and theology of worship. From 2020-2024, she held graduate teaching assistantships and fellowships from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she served as an instructor of record within the Keyboard Skills program. In addition, she served for two years as Assistant Coordinator for the Lincoln Community Piano Experience, a recreational group piano course for adults. As studio assistant to Dr. Paul Barnes, she has regularly taught privately on the undergraduate level, as well as conducting studio classes and serving as lecturer in the graduate Piano Literature course. Outside of academia, Stiles has served as faculty for the Lied Center Piano Academy, as well as the Csehy Summer School of Music. She also takes joy in working with private students of all levels, and she manages an independent piano studio in the Bucks County area.As a scholar, Stiles is deeply interested in the intersection of worldview and art, specifically the musical implications of major theological rifts within Christendom. Her doctoral dissertation, “Creed and Variations,” explored the musical trichotomy of Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant traditions, featuring select works of J. S. Bach, Olivier Messiaen, and Arvo Pärt.Takeaways:The pursuit of beauty is fundamentally a pursuit of God.Beauty in art should transcend superficiality and reflect deeper truths.Art and theology are inseparable in the exploration of beauty.Different musical traditions offer unique expressions of beauty.The role of the church is vital in supporting artistic endeavors.Art can serve as a bridge to communicate spiritual truths.Performers play a crucial role in bringing compositions to life.Engaging with secular contexts can be an evangelistic opportunity.Christian art should challenge and provoke thought.The communal aspect of art reflects the nature of the Trinity. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beautythroughfaith.substack.com/subscribe