A multi-talented keyboard artist and composer, Phillip Keveren displays a tremendous versatility in both his original works and concert performances. He composes in a variety of genres, and is widely acclaimed for his piano publications.

Mr. Keveren is a prolific arranger, orchestrator and producer. His work is featured in numerous instrumental recordings, church choral, educational piano and Christian artist releases (Steve Green, Travis Cottrell, Larnelle Harris, Sandi Patty, Mandisa, Jeremy Camp, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir). Phillip is co-author, major composer and orchestrator of the internationally acclaimed Hal Leonard Student Piano Library, a complete method of study for young students. His unique piano arrangements are also featured in The Phillip Keveren Series (Hal Leonard Publishing).

Mr. Keveren holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from California State University, Northridge, and a Master of Music in Composition from the University of Southern California. He and his wife Lisa live in Franklin, Tennessee and are parents of two grown children, Lindsay and Sean.

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Shortly after his birth near Vale, Oregon, on June 25, 1961, Phillip Keveren would discover what would later become his life calling and work.  The son of a dentist, Robert, and a schoolteacher, Mardene, Phillip was experimenting on the family piano with unusual determination before the age of eight. After observing this behavior for a few years, Phillip’s parents wisely sought out the expertise of Karen Sherve, who became the burgeoning musician’s first piano teacher (age 8-13).  As his ability and interest blossomed further, Phillip received further instruction from Fern Nolte Davidson, legendary College of Idaho piano professor.  By the time Phillip graduated as the Valedictorian of Vale High School, a solid foundation had been laid for his musical training, and the gifted young man knew very clearly the direction his college education should take.

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Phillip’s higher education began at Mount Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon (1979-1981), where he served as pianist and arranger for the Mt. Hood Vocal Jazz Ensemble.  Two years later, he transferred to California State University, Northridge, where he completed a Bachelor of Music (composition) in 1984, graduating with honors (cum laude).  Finally, Mr. Keveren attended the University of Southern California to complete a Master of Music (composition), where he graduated with the honor of “Outstanding Composition Graduate” in 1986.  The natural musical aptitude Phillip enjoyed as a young boy now stood confirmed by his successful college journey.  

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Yamaha Corporation of America became Mr. Keveren’s first post-university employer.  While he was the Director of Electone Instruction (Yamaha Music Education System; Buena Park, California), Phillip learned to write music for pedagogical use, which further enriched his graduate education.  He continued to work for Yamaha until 1987, when a single step of faith to become a freelance musician set the rest of his career into motion.  

Since then, Mr. Keveren has successfully worked on diverse projects ranging from piano methods, to instrumental recordings, to orchestrations for premiere Christian artists.  He is a co-author of the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library, a comprehensive series of instructional books.  The method has become an international best-seller (translated into six languages), and it features Phillip’s compositions, arrangements, and accompaniment orchestrations.  Hal Leonard Corporation, recognized as the largest print publisher in the world, also inaugurated The Phillip Keveren Series in 2000, which features his diverse and stylish piano arrangements (over 100 folios in print) that have sold over half a million units.  Mr. Keveren collaborated with Billy Joel to produce a book of piano arrangements (Billy Joel Easy Classics), which set Billy’s pop songs in classical styles from Mozart to Bartok.  He has traveled throughout the United States and internationally (Canada, Europe, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand) to support these piano publications.  Phillip is also known for his choral octavos and musicals, which nearly every major print publisher has released.   Shelter, a collaboration with Paul Marino, was nominated as “best choral collection of 2009” by Worship Leader Magazine. 

Mr. Keveren has also produced dozens of instrumental recordings that feature his unique orchestrations and distinctive piano artistry.  Discovery House Music’s Classical Praise series includes many of his productions, including: “Violin & Piano”, “Cello & Piano,” “String Quartet,” and  “Symphony of Carols,” to name a few.   His piano solo recording, “Softly and Tenderly” has become a perennial best-seller.  Phillip’s gifts have allowed him to arrange and orchestrate for many well-known Christian artists including Jeremy Camp, Mandisa, Travis Cottrell, Sara Groves, Sandi Patti, Steve Green, Point of Grace, Larnelle Harris, Dennis Jernigan, Twila Paris, Ronan Tynan, Greg Long, Mark Harris, Bob Carlisle, and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.   

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Phillip Keveren currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee, where, by God’s strength and inspiration, his musical creativity and his capabilities in production, orchestration and arranging continue to flourish and gain recognition in the Nashville music community and around the world.  In his leisure time he enjoys gardening and the masterful cooking of his wife, Lisa.  Among the manifold productions on which Mr. Keveren has collaborated, the couple’s children, Lindsay (born 1988) and Sean (born 1990), are Phillip’s most treasured.