I am so so sorry for your loss, and think I wrote something before but wanted to say that my daughter loved Tim as a piano teacher and he always said when she was little that she had perfect pitch. She is now 23 and studying music (singer, songwriter) at the Berklee College of Music. We also bonded over the fact that my kids are half-Welsh. 

May his memory be a blessing. He was a wonderful man and lost way too soon.

Our family is so sorry to hear of Tim's passing. He was our son Kieran Eldredge's first piano teacher and Tim showed him infinite patience, care and support, as well as how to have fun with music.  Always upbeat and encouraging with his tireless coaching. Tim will be missed by our entire community and our deepest condolences to Tim's mother and sister.
The Eldredge Family

I was just watching some old videos of my daughter playing flute with Tim accompanying her.  I wanted to share a photo.  Sending deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

There are no adequate words to describe the loss of our dear Tim.  He was one of the finest colleagues I've ever known, always so kind and genuine.  I speak to you now, Tim - I'll never forget your magnificent performance of the Debussy "Etudes" which I believe was your first solo recital at Bloomingdale.  I'll never forget your "Scherzo" from the Hammerklavier.  I know you're playing this sonata now slightly beyond our reach.  You touched all of us with your gracious manner, always a true gentleman and model of example for all.  Thank you for being part of our lives, m'dear.

Tim had been the piano accompanist for my daughter since her first student violin concert at age 9. It was not just my daughter. He was the accompanist for all the children performed at every student concert we attended. From little children to teen agers, beginners to high level performers, he took care of all kinds of accompaniment all by himself all the time. As my daughter grew and her music piece became more challenging, Tim kindly accompanied for her over and over again with great patience for rehearsals and recordings for online concerts. One of those videos was awarded with a third place in an international violin competition early this year, which is now our best memory with him. I deeply regret that we missed the chance to tell him how much he had done for us and express how much we appreciated his expertise and kindness. Tim helped all our children grow. My daughter, now a high school junior turning 17 in two months, cannot imagine next student concert without him. We miss him.

I cannot imagine going back to Bloomingdale and not seeing Tim's warm, kind, gentle, caring soul in the hallway or in his teaching room. He taught my daughter Amelie piano for years and she-we- absolutely loved him.  Sometimes he would play Amelie a piece of Mozart or Beethoven to inspire her, and his gorgeous music never failed to lift our spirits, working a bit of magic as intended. I am SO sorry we never told Tim how much he touched us and how much we cared. We will always be grateful for our time with this lovely being and will keep him in our hearts. Sending his family profound condolences and big hugs. 

Tim had been my daughter's piano teacher for the past 10 years. 
Words cannot express the amount of love, gratitude and joy that Tim shared with us over these  years!   We will miss you with all of our hearts. His memory will live on through my children and grand children! 
Love, 
Kate 


I was shocked when I heard the news of Tim's passing. Tim was my piano teacher from 2013-2014. I had taken a 10 year break from practicing regularly and giving recitals when my pianist friend recommended I start back on the piano with Tim. She said he was a real teacher, gentle, and patient and would help me get back on track. Tim was exactly that. There were many times I would show up to a lesson not having touched the piano the week before. Rather than reprimand me, he taught me how to practice during our lessons. His teaching motivated me to practice more and more and to stick with difficult measures and not give up. He also taught me how to play for the audience and draw the audience into the music - something I never thought of when playing prior to my lessons with him. And, he was just a fun-loving person - our lessons were often filled with laughter and inside jokes.  Even now, I often think of his advice on how to practice and remember how he would have guided me when I'm stuck on a difficult measure. My musical and technical abilities matured under Tim's tutelage and he helped me achieve a level of musicality I didn't think I was capable of accomplishing. He was truly a kind and gifted musician and person and I will never forget him.  

What a terrible loss.  Others have noted what a lovely person Tim was.  He was my accompanist the two times I played my flute at an adult “sharing hour”.  I was reassured by his presence, confident that he would be totally supportive of my effort.  Several years ago, students were offered a complimentary session with a pianist.  I took advantage of this rare opportunity and spent a wonderful hour with him.  Coming and going, a day was brighter for running into him.  He was a presence for me and I will miss him.

Tim was my son Gabriel's piano teacher for 4.5 years. He was unfailingly kind and supportive to Gabriel, always meeting him where he was at, even on the occasions when Gabriel showed up on the piano bench tired and sweaty from hockey practice. When Gabriel was unfocused, Tim was a master at gently but firmly redirecting and re-engaging him, building Gabriel's stamina as a musician and developing his capacity to practice effectively. One of the things I loved most about Tim as a teacher - in addition to his dry, gentle humor - was that he always talked to Gabriel about "feeling the pulse" of the music. From Gabriel's earliest days with his instrument, he learned that the mechanics are in service of expression. From the beginning, Tim gave Gabriel the means to access and activate his own artistry. Gabriel no longer studies the piano, but the gifts that Tim gave him will stay with him always: figuring out how to work through a challenge; how to listen deeply; how to make creative choices; and the joy of sharing your artistry with others. My family and I were completely gutted to learn of Tim's untimely passing. He was a wonderful guy and a terrific teacher. All of us send our deepest condolences to his family and to all who are so keenly, painfully feeling his loss. May his memory be a blessing.

Tim taught my son Daniel for five and a half years. He was always kind, always supportive, and - although Daniel never spent much time practicing other than in the very heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world shut down around us  - always patient, never even complaining about our overly friendly dog, who had to be pulled bodily away from Tim during each and every lesson.  

Tim's gentle encouragement gave us a home that was filled with music every day for the 15 minutes after dinner...our moments of peace. We often FaceTimed my mother while I sat on the sofa with the dogs and we all just listened to Daniel play Tim's latest assignment and were happy.

We are so grateful to Tim for meeting us where we were and making our life better. I am not at all surprised that Tim had 70 students at the time of his passing and I am sure he met each one of them where they were, encouraging whatever aptitude for music they did have, and making their lives better too. What a gift to the world.

We are beyond shocked and saddened that Tim is gone. Our thoughts and prayers have been with his family every since we heard the tragic news of his passing.

There are a lot of tears in our household. We really can't believe it. Our memories of Tim go back to 2013 when he first accompanied our then nine-year-old son Aaron in a recital. He was so unbelievably gentle, patient, and unceasingly musical. Aaron was expecting to perform with Tim once again on December 11, and rehearsed with him just a couple weeks ago. Everyone here has already beautifully described Tim the person. His soul resonated in our lives in ways that will stay with us always. 

Working with Tim at Bloomingdale has been an absolute pleasure over the last few years. His quiet joy in teaching and ease of working with any student who needed his accompaniment made him not only an easy teacher to point new students to but a colleague we all looked to for different forms of inspiration. In the last year or so we met monthly and at the beginning of each meeting I ask "What's going on? I want to hear the good and the bad" and Tim's response "Things are good, I'm just so glad to be teaching and the kids are great, everyone could practice more but they're just great so I'm happy" was guaranteed and would launch us into pedagogy discussions, him playing a few notes in the middle of the chat and dreaming up possibilities for his students and the general piano students at BSM. We'll all miss Tim in different ways but I'm so grateful I had the chance to work alongside him. 

This is heartbreaking to hear. Tim was a fixture in our life for many years when we lived in New York. He was such a kind and generous teacher, and a tireless supporter of my daughter.  His presence in our lives was truly a gift. The world  needs more like him. 

Tim was an amazing man. I knew him as a friend and accompanist from my time at Bloomingdale. He was always willing to help anyone if he could and put so much love into his passion for music. Tim was a kind man and cared for his students. He helped me record my videos for college tapes and was always there for us kids, always. It is truly sad to hear this news. Tim was a warm soul and God Bless him, I know he is in a better place now. 

What a tremendous loss. I had the fortune of working with Tim at Bloomingdale School of Music where he accompanied many of my vocal students at recitals throughout the years. He was a kind soul, a talented and generous musician, and an inspiring teacher. My deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.

We were incredibly saddened to hear about Tim's untimely passing.  He taught my daughter piano when she was younger. He was the one who told her that she has perfect pitch, and she went on to now studying at the Berklee College of Music now full time. If it were not for Tim, she would not have had the confidence  to go on to be a singer and songwriter. She also has Welsh blood, and we always loved working with and seeing Tim. He was so so lovely. This is very sad. May his memory be a blessing.
Kyra and Amanda Morgan

Tim accompanied my daughter as well in her many sharing hours at Bloomingdale where she played the flute. I got to know him more when he worked with her to prepare a performance video for her college applications. He was very generous and kind as he rehearsed and recorded with her tirelessly til it was just right.  We will always remember him.

I'm devastated to hear this sad news. It's hard to accept. Tim was always so positive, friendly, supportive, collegial, and downright nice. My son loved performing with him, and he got my daughter started on piano. Condolences. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues, and with Tim. Rest In Peace.

I had the joy of serving as the Interim Director of Bloomingdale School of Music and  working with and getting to know Tim. He was simply the most lovely, gentle soul who brought peace and calm into every room he entered. The role of accompanist is a true art form of being in sync with and partnership with the artist one accompanies. And doing this at a community music school with every possible level of student and professional was a skill at which Tim excelled.  May he Rest In Peace. 

I worked with Tim at Bloomingdale. He was an incredibly bright, witty, and compassionate person. It seems like just yesterday he was telling me his student loan strategy, which he was immensely proud of, or we were discussing the merits of Charles Ives. I can't believe he's gone.

Tim was one of the most gentle souls I ever met--I knew this when I first met him some ten years ago when my son started violin lessons at BSM and he was always, without fail, his accompanist.  Most generous with his smiles, gentle encouragement and praise, Tim guided my son, and later my daughter, in their music education.  I am grateful to have met him.  My prayers are with his family.

So sorry to hear this very sad news. Tim taught both my daughters piano and he was always encouraging, patient, and kind. He put everyone at ease and was thoughtful and generous with his piano expertise. He made us smile and laugh in every class. He took children and their thoughts and feelings seriously. Sending condolences to his family and friends, with many thanks for his gift of music.

My heart is broken hearing this news. Tim! You were a brilliant teacher to my son who is not always so easy to teach. You were forever giving and giving and giving, and  so patient. It was one of my greatest pleasures to be in the room while you taught Julian--we all learned so much from you. We are devastated that your light has left this world. I hope you know how loved you were. We will always remember you. 

With sadness,

Loren Edelson

I was a student at Bloomingdale for 12 years, from 1st grade to the end of my senior year of high school. Tim was my accompanist for the entirety of that time, and I have so many amazing things to say about him. He was always so kind and understanding if I’d make a mistake, and he was a regular friendly face in a performance space. He was always so dependable, genuine, and so incredibly talented. I relied on him so much through my years playing, and there is no way I’d be the musician I am today without him. He was such a formative figure in my life, and I’ll miss him so much.

Tim was an inspiration and a bright shining light in our lives. We first met him several years ago at his beloved Bloomingdale School of Music and he taught both our sons - now teenagers - every year until recently. To say he was full of boundless enthusiasm, passion and INTEREST would be stating the obvious to those who knew him, but it was his ability to communicate the wherewithal to "just do it" and not take one's self and the craft too seriously that separated him from any normal artist or teacher. Our youngest gained immensely from him - I remember countless Queen songs that he was encouraged to learn after he became obsessed with the band. Did Tim care that he wasn't interested in Chopin? Of course not. His relationship with our oldest was truly unique. Deciding to leave high school in his sophomore year, Asher embarked on 'self-directed' education, and Tim's 'music theory'  classes were integral to his learning. I extol Tim for both our boys passion for piano, but other than that we celebrate Tim for his enduring positive disposition and admirable outlook on life.

Tim was a colleague of mine at Bloomingdale for many years. He played with many of my students and we played together - most recently, the last time I played in public before the pandemic in March 2020 on my faculty recital. He was a kind, generous and funny soul and a very supportive musical collaborator. I am shocked and saddened by his passing and will miss his presence. Rest in peace my dear friend. 

I'm still in shock as I write this.  Tim and I were in school together, and we were musical colleagues and good friends.  While I hadn't seen him in a few years (I moved away from NYC), we shared so many good times for many years.  He was always warm, kind, encouraging, and one of the easiest people to talk to - about anything.  To Tim's family - I am heartbroken for this unbelievable loss, of one of the kindest and dearest people I've known.  I know so many others who feel the same way.  I can't imagine how you are feeling, but I am sending you all of my love, sympathy, and support as you navigate this impossible time.  

Tim - we love you and will miss you!
Elizabeth Young

Tim, I am still in shock, friend. Haven't been able to stop thinking of you since I heard. You were the most supportive colleague, kind friend, brilliant pianist, and amazing teacher. Thank you for always being someone to count on. Rest in peace, knowing you meant so much to all of us.

This is a most tragic, heartbreaking news, I’m in shock and disbelief. Tim was a college classmate, friend, fellow teacher, and my neighbor in Inwood. He was the kindest person I knew, and so talented. We need more people like him in this world. 
 
With my sincerest sympathy,
Tereza

Where to begin with how much Tim meant to me and my family?  We first met 14 years ago when my daughter and I started taking lessons with him. Tim and I quickly realized we had a lot in common, having both graduated from MSM and knowing many of the same people, as well as sharing a love of running. He was brilliant, kind and encouraging in our piano endeavors, but it wasn't until my younger daughter with ADHD started lessons that I realized what a saint he truly was! Nothing would rattle him-his calm, relaxed demeanor was always on display, and always worked at pulling her back to the task at hand. He realized early on that she had a phenomenal ear and encouraged that while sneaking in the more mundane task of looking at and reading the music. 
    Whenever Tim came to our apartment for lessons, he was greeted by my 2 small dogs who absolutely went bananas for him! He was always gracious enough to spend 5 minutes playing with them and catching up with us before beginning the lessons. I always offered Tim a glass of wine (we had late lessons!) and he almost always accepted-each and every time saying "that is so kind of you-you don't have to do that! But I greatly appreciate it!". Each and every time-for 14 years!!  Clearly, his momma raised him well.
   Tim was family. Plain and simple. He came to my daughters' Bat Mitzvahs, stayed in our place and watched the dogs when we went away-always sending tons of pictures of them goofing around, commiserated with me about how we hate practicing but love performing. 
   He was a blessing to our life.  We are so devastated that he is gone, but how lucky we were to have had him in our lives.
   We send all our love to Tim's family, and are so sorry for your unimaginable loss. Please know how loved Tim was by everyone who knew him

Tim was a light to everyone at BSM.  A masterful pianist, a supportive and imaginative accompanist and chamber player,  a motivating teacher and a cherished colleague. 

Your light will continue to shine good friend. Your memory will sustain and inspire us. You are, and will continue to be, deeply missed.  

Words can not describe how greatly I miss Tim. I was a student of his for the past ten years at the Bloomingdale School of Music. While I was definitely not his best student, I always looked forward to coming to his piano class. Tim always knew how to make me feel special and taught me through sharing his own passion for music. Tim was the kindest human being. He always cared about my other activities and interests, and tried to come up with metaphors connecting piano to my other passions. I have always admired his desire to teach, learn, and experience new things. He was one of my greatest mentors since childhood. His memory and legacy will live on for as long as I am alive. 

First time, I met with Tim was on a Track & Field. 
First thing I noticed was his so kind face with a welcoming smile. He seems to keep his gentle smile all the time - whenever we were doing tremendous effort or simply stretching - His kind and touching voice are and will be always with us.  
Tim's quiet and humble style made our groups better.  
Tim will be deeply missed. 
Praying love and comfort to your family during this difficult time.

OBITUARY

Timothy Rufus Mccullough

May 18, 1979 – November 22, 2021

Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home

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