Alanna Rantala

Alanna (Battat) Rantala grew up in a musical household. She was born in New York City and lived there until she was 8, when her family relocated to Napa, CA. Her mother began teaching her the piano at age 2, and at age 11 she appeared as a soloist with the Napa Valley Symphony. Throughout her teenage years she soloed with 5 other Northern CA orchestras as well as performing in numerous recitals and masterclasses. She received her B.A. in music from U.C. Davis ('88), and her M.M. degree in Piano Performance from New England Conservatory ('90), where she studied with renowned pianist Leonard Shure. Her teaching experience began in college with an internship and pedagogy studies. Alanna continued living in Boston and joined the faculty of several community music schools, including Worcester's Joy of Music Program (1990-2000), and the Family Yamaha Music School where she was administrative director as well as a teacher of 80 students between ages 2-12. Her students have received awards for composition and performance.

Alanna has worked extensively as an accompanist too, assisting in theater and opera productions and working with vocal music majors at Holy Cross College. Upon moving to Auburn, MA she maintained her private studio while she started a family. Alanna was an adjunct professor at Fitchburg State College where she taught piano classes and accompanied the choirs. She received two grants from the MA Cultural Commission as a chamber musician collaborating with violinists and other pianists in recitals around New England. She has also performed in Australia and London, and has recorded on MODE Records.

In Spring 2007 Alanna relocated to Walnut Creek with her husband and two young sons to be nearer to family. She is gradually building her private home studio here and freelancing as a performer. She appeared at the Dean Lesher Center in June '07 with vocalist Anna Coombs. She just joined the education advisory board for the Willows Theater Conservatory and plans to join the Berkeley Piano Club. Alanna performed solo selections in a recital at the Sherman Clay Steinway showroom on 9/25, and hopes to plan more events through the year.