Dr. Ray Daniel Landers of Trenton, NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Capital Health Regional Medical Center with friends present. He was 80 years old, born November 17, 1942. Ray is survived by two nieces, both from Seminole, Florida— Kathy Jean Austin and Debbie Hice— as well as generations of children and adults with whom he has shared his love of music.

Ray was predeceased by his father, John Silvey Landers, mother, Jewel Oline Landers (nee Fain), brother, Leo, and half brother, Gene.

Born in Kissimmee and raised in Haines City, Florida, Ray went on to receive his Bachelor of Music from Sherwood Conservatory—Chicago in 1964, Master of Music from Northwestern University, Evanston, in 1966 and Doctor of Music from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in 1974.

Ray was a devoted piano teacher to many students over the last few decades. His early career included roles as director of the Suzuki Music Academy of Chicago and Suzuki program director at Westminster Choir College Conservatory in Princeton, NJ. He taught at Indiana University, Chicago State University, American Conservatory of Music (Chicago) and at prep programs at Montclair State College (Montclair, NJ) and Mannes College (New York City).

Dr. Landers has taught and performed at Suzuki institutes and conferences in 45 states and 10 countries. He was a sanctioned Suzuki piano teacher trainer and former SAA board member. His publications include “Is Suzuki Working in America?” and Second Piano Accompaniments for Alfred Music and “The Talent Education School of Suzuki” and “Talent Education Piano Curriculum Guide” for Daniel Press. “The Talent Education School of Suzuki,” “Talent Education Piano Curriculum Guide”, and others. He has written numerous articles for such international magazines as the American Suzuki Journal, Suzuki World, and the former Piano Quarterly. Dr. Landers was founder/director of the International Music Festival (Cleveland Suzuki Institute), running for over 25 years in Cleveland. He studied with Dr. Suzuki in Japan and America and with other renowned educators, including Frances Clark, Guy Duckworth, Walter Robert, Ivan Davis and Jorge Bolet and attended seminars with Edwin Gordon, Howard Gardner and numerous music educators such as Abbey Simon and John Browning.

Ray taught students of all ages and levels and believed deeply in the Suzuki idea that “all can be educated.” He and his students performed in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, Grant Park Band Shell and Civic Opera House, at the Chicago Cultural Center, in New York City’s Carnegie Hall and Bechstein Hal, at the Trenton War Memorial, at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center and at Curtis Institute of Music. Dr. Landers was a participant in the 4th Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and other international contests. He enjoyed presenting concerts for children and their families that incorporated multimedia and audience participation. He is listed in International Who’s Who in Education, and Who’s Who in Entertainment.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Monday, March 6, 2023, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Community House of Moorestown, located at 16 E. Main Street, Moorestown, NJ. All former students are invited to play a song during the service as a tribute to Ray. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Settlement Music School (https://settlementmusic.org/give-now/donate-today/) or the Suzuki Association of the Americas (https://suzukiassociation.org/giving/).