Episode 5: Benan Avci

Benan Avci began studying piano when he was four years old with his mother, a private teacher in the suburbs of Chicago.  He was also a singer, trombonist and commercial pianist while growing up.  Majoring in choral education at the University of Illinois, he then became a high school choir teacher while moonlighting as a dueling pianist and entertainer at bar and fraternity party gigs.  After moving to Nashville, Benan became a sideman, touring with Jarrod Niemann and playing with various groups around Nashville such as the renowned multi-tribute band, MIPS.  He often performs at Brick House Dueling Pianos in Indianapolis, and is a singer/songwriter whose material can be found at www.benanmusic.com. 

National Association of Teachers of Singing

Piano Adventures

Hanon Online

Song Reader

Hemingbirds

What is MIPS- Facebook

What is MIPS

Howl at the Moon

The Art of Being a Sideman

KORG.org

Brickhouse Dueling Pianos

Opry Debut