A native of Seattle, Washington, pianist Dr. Fritz Gechter has appeared as both soloist and collaborative artist in the U.S. and abroad, appearing with such ensembles as the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, the Omaha Municipal Orchestra, The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra and The McAllen Symphonic Band. His concert repertoire includes Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor,” Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue among others. He made his European debut collaborating with his wife, Suzanne Ramo, soprano, at Kloster Andechs, near Munich, Germany and in 2007 he debuted in Taiwan in recital at Aletheia University.

Residing in Laredo, Texas, Dr. Gechter is Associate Professor of Music & Piano in the Department of Fine & Performing Arts at Texas A&M International University where he teaches piano, class piano, music theory, and serves as collaborative pianist for both faculty and students. He also maintains a private piano studio as part of the University’s Young Pianists Program for secondary school students. His dedication to teaching excellence was rewarded when he received Teacher of the Year from the TAMIU College of Arts and Sciences for 2005-06. In addition to his regular teaching assignments, Dr. Gechter launched TAMIU’s Steinway Series, a classical piano recital series which produces recitals by internationally acclaimed artists, and has spearheaded student travel abroad programs within the department by teaching a summer course in Salzburg, Austria, and accompanying students and faculty to Aletheia University in Taiwan.

Dr. Gechter received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Central Washington University, where he studied with Peter Gries and John Pickett, and his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Piano Performance from The University of Texas at Austin under the tutelage of Gregory Allen.