A Room with a Tune at Chestnut Ridge

When Chestnut Ridge at Rodale resident Michael Cerveris moved to Phoebe in early 2024, among his biggest concerns were whether or not his piano would fit and if his neighbors could hear him playing.

“I couldn’t not play, it’s all I ever did,” says Cerveris, who now comfortably resides in a beautiful apartment, Steinway grand piano included.

The logistics of getting the instrument into Cerveris’s new space were something he and Brandy Drago, Chestnut Ridge Sales Associate, went over in detail. Together, they measured out the space with the help of early floor plans, ultimately deciding that the piano wouldn’t hinder the apartment’s spacious design.

“I couldn’t not play, it’s all I ever did,” says Cerveris, who now comfortably resides in a beautiful apartment, Steinway grand piano included. The logistics of getting the instrument into Cerveris’s new space were something he and Brandy Drago, Chestnut Ridge Sales Associate, went over in detail. Together, they measured out the space with the help of early floor plans, ultimately deciding that the piano wouldn’t hinder the apartment’s spacious design.

Placed in the middle of Cerveris’s childhood home in Pittsburgh was a traditional upright piano. His siblings all played the piano to various degrees, so music was a constant presence. At eight years old, Cerveris began formal lessons, an age he feels is rather late for a musician given how often one hears stories of renowned musicians starting at ridiculously young ages.

It was a passion that Cerveris’s father warned him about from the get-go, explaining that making a living as a creative is notoriously difficult. Cerveris passed that same message on to his own children, who have thankfully seen great levels of success in their respective fields.

His two sons, Michael Jr. and Todd, have an incredible knack for musical theatre, both of whom have worked on Broadway. Michael won two Tony awards (among five nominations) for his acting in Assassins and Fun Home, and was called the most “versatile leading man on Broadway” by Playbill. Both brothers are Yale University graduates.

Cerveris’s daughter Marisa, a graduate of The School of American Ballet, was a member of the New York City Ballet Company. She has also performed in Europe overseas. Today, she owns a Pilates studio in Bethlehem. “They’re committed and they support each other,” says Cerveris. “I am most proud of them.”

Cerveris attended The Juilliard School in New York, commonly considered one of the best performing arts colleges in the world. While there, he completed a 5-year program as a Piano Major. Some of the most notable names he studied under include Leon Fleischer and Edward Steuermann, the latter of whom is a disciple of Arnold Schoenberg.

During this time living in New York, the musical theatre scene rubbed off on Cerveris, and he would later musically direct summer stock companies. All the while, he worked part- time at the Museum of Modern Art to keep himself afloat financially.

“I don’t think I could teach pianists if I didn’t have some sense of movement or visualization,” says Cerveris. For him, music can be just as visual as it is auditory.

Shortly after leaving Juilliard, Cerveris was drafted into the Navy where he played piano, both as a soloist and in a chamber ensemble. He then got his Master’s Degree in Musicology from Catholic University of America and his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from West Virginia University.

His subsequent work experience makes up a combined total of 35 years at the University level. Across his teaching career, he became increasingly involved in administration, helping to streamline and develop programs where they could use improvement. At Arizona State University, Cerveris developed an interdisciplinary program inspired by the way Juilliard had combined academics with the arts.

Cerveris taught in many different places around the country, but he landed back in Pittsburgh for his retirement to be closer to his children. At first, he was reluctant to give up his home after the passing of his wife, but he soon realized it would be better for him to get out of a big house.

An early investor of Chestnut Ridge, Cerveris first caught wind of the new independent living facility from his daughter. Emmaus ended up being an ideal location for Cerveris’s retirement, not only because he is closer to his daughter in Bethlehem and his sons in New York, but because he believes “Emmaus is very culturally healthy.”

Cerveris’s apartment is decorated with a staggering amount of artwork from his late wife, who was a painter. Virtually everywhere you look you’ll find striking, colorful images. In the spare bedroom stands a tall armoire filled with books upon books of piano repertoire.

Cerveris’s daily routine typically starts with going to the gym or pool to exercise. Then, he’ll practice piano for 4-5 hours a day, enjoy freshly cooked meals by the dining staff, and otherwise relax. He says that Chestnut Ridge has offered him the tools to take care of himself with great ease.

“It worked out really well. For my particular needs, it couldn’t be better,” says Cerveris.

For the foreseeable future, Michael Cerveris will continue to tickle the ivories for the benefit of himself and his peers. Chestnut Ridge is all the better for having talented individuals like Cerveris bringing vibrancy to the community.

To learn more about Chestnut Ridge, schedule a tour today.

Written by Dominic Trabosci