Ruthanne Schempf studied piano with her mother until she entered Michigan State University to study with 1962 Van Cliburn winner, Ralph Votapek. There she completed bachelor degrees in piano and music literature, and returned to New York for graduate study under Robert Goldsand, Constance Keene, and Marc Silverman at the Manhattan School of Music, ultimately earning a DMA. She is on the faculties of SUNY-New Paltz and Marist College and has been the pianist for the West Point Cadet Glee Club. She teaches music history, theory and piano. In her spare time, she likes to ski, garden, and make coffee.