Carrie Pierce, D.M.A., is Professor of Cello at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where she teaches cello, double bass, chamber music, and string pedagogy. An active performer and educator, she has built a career that combines university teaching, orchestral and chamber performance, international engagement, and a strong commitment to expanding access to string education.
As a cellist, Dr. Pierce has performed throughout the United States and internationally, with appearances across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. She currently serves as Principal Cellist of both the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra and Victoria Symphony Orchestra and has performed as a soloist with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, West Michigan Symphony, Symphony Viva, and Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi Symphonic Winds. Her recent solo appearances include Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra and Gulda’s Concerto for Violoncello and Wind Orchestra. She was honored with Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi’s Excellence in Creative Activity Award in recognition of her work as a performer and collaborative artist.
Dr. Pierce is also active on the international festival circuit. She is a Resident Artist with the Talis Festival and Academy in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and serves on the faculty of CIVEBRA in Brasília, Brazil. Her international work has included performances, masterclasses, and educational projects in Brazil, India, Nepal, Scotland, Italy, and throughout the United States. Through the Pitch Pipe Foundation, she participated in performances and outreach projects in India and Nepal, including educational concerts that reached thousands of children in Kolkata.
A dedicated teacher and advocate for string education, Dr. Pierce works with musicians from beginning students through the collegiate and professional levels. She is a longtime director with the Corpus Christi Area Youth Orchestra program, where she conducts Sinfonietta and multi-level cello choirs, and she maintains an active private cello studio. Her students have earned positions in Texas All-State and All-Region Orchestras and have continued their studies at leading collegiate music programs. She is certified in Suzuki Cello Books 1–10 and has completed additional training in Suzuki Principles in Action, Teaching Strategies, and Extended Repertoire.
Dr. Pierce’s commitment to service and community engagement is an integral part of her work. She serves as Treasurer of the Texas Chapter of the American String Teachers Association and has developed and participated in numerous programs connecting young musicians with high-quality string instruction and performance opportunities. At Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, she has helped lead community outreach initiatives, student ensembles, workshops, and festivals that bring university musicians into the broader Coastal Bend community.
Dr. Pierce holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music in Cello Performance from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Michigan State University.
