Lily Witemeyer is a pianist and vocal coach based in East Tennessee. She is currently on staff at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, joining in August 2024 after completing her Master of Music in Collaborative Piano at the same institution. In her position, she works with undergraduate and graduate students, collaborating with both singers and instrumentalists in lessons, recitals, and masterclasses. She provides vocal coaching for undergraduate and graduate vocal students in repertoire, diction, and interpretation. She also serves as a repetiteur and coach for the University of Tennessee Opera Theatre (UTOT) productions. In addition, she plays for departmental workshops such as the Tennessee Cello Workshop and assists with performance studio classes.

Lily’s interest in opera began early in life. Growing up right outside of Nashville, she was a member of the Nashville Children’s Chorus and took part in productions of La Bohème, Carmen, and Tosca. She also appeared as a supernumerary in Andrea Chénier. These early experiences introduced her to the world of opera and played an important role in shaping her long-term interest in collaborative music.

During her undergraduate years, Lily began to gain experience as a collaborative pianist by playing in voice lessons and performing in recitals with fellow students. She found enjoyment in the teamwork required in collaborative piano and gradually developed her skills through these opportunities.

Her training outside of the academic year has included several summer programs. In 2019, she attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, where she focused on instrumental chamber music. In 2022, she was the Piano Counselor for Tennessee’s Governor School for the Arts, working with high school students on their music studies and performances. The following year, she traveled to Italy to participate in Opera Lucca, where she studied Italian language and played for rehearsals and performances in their Italian Scenes Program. These experiences broadened her understanding of collaborative repertoire and cultivated her desire to stay well-rounded as a collaborative pianist.

Lily has also worked on staff for two summers at the Brevard Music Center with the Janiec Opera Company. There she played for aria classes, opera staging rehearsals, and masterclasses. She has assisted with chorus rehearsals, outreach performances, and supertitles cueing. She also served as orchestra pianist for Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon.

In addition to her academic work, Lily has established herself as a freelance pianist and coach. She has collaborated with Knoxville Opera in several capacities, including playing for chorus rehearsals, assisting with orchestra score preparation, serving as an assistant pianist for La Bohème, cueing supertitles during performances, and playing for outreach and fundraising concerts. She was also a featured performer in Knoxville Opera’s Rossini Festival.

Her freelance work has extended beyond Knoxville Opera as well. Notable freelance credits include playing recitals for the Knoxville Suzuki Academy and serving as an auditions pianist for the University of Chattanooga.

For the upcoming 2025-2026 season, Lily has several scheduled projects. In Fall 2025, she will serve as coach and repetiteur for UTOT’s productions of Rossini’s La cambiale di matrimonio and Menotti’s Amelia al ballo. That same season, she will be the Children’s Chorus Music Director for Knoxville Opera’s production of Carmen. In Spring 2026, she will continue her work with UTOT as coach and repetiteur for Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen. She is also slated to serve as Music Director for Knoxville Opera’s school tour of The Ugly Duckling in January 2026 and as assistant pianist for Knoxville Opera’s production of Il barbiere di Siviglia in February 2026.

Outside of her professional activities, Lily enjoys walking, reading, and experimenting with creating her own tea blends.