Clarice Rainer

Clarice Rainer, known with her twin sister, Alice, as The Rainer Twins, died Saturday, April 3, 2021. They were born on August 28, 1932 in Opp, Alabama to the late Robert Samuel and Mattie Lee Cobb Rainer. They graduated from Opp High School in 1950. They earned their music degrees at the University of Montevallo School of Music where their piano teacher was M. Ziolkowski who was a student of Paderewski, the world famous composer and pianist. They continued their private piano studies at the Aspen Music School in Colorado and further studied privately by invitation with the renowned duo-pianists Vronsky and Babin.

They made their professional debut in New York City in December 1961 and from that time on began enjoying immense popularity as concert piano duettists. They have toured extensively playing virtually coast to coast, and have been praised for their “dedicated musicianship and artistic integrity,” “truly fine artistry,” “their great personal charm,” and “excellent rapport with their audiences.” The Washington Evening Star acclaimed them “visually and audially delightful.” They are also known through publication of their articles in national music magazines. Between 1966 and 1993, they resided in Winston-Salem, NC, where they divided their time between concert-touring, teaching, and arranging much of their own concert music.

In 1993 they returned to their hometown of Opp, AL, where they semi-retired, continued to enjoy traveling, and continued to enjoy and love life to its fullest.

In addition to her parents, Clarice was preceded in death by her twin sister Alice; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and William A. “Doc” Sellars; five precious toy poodles; and two nephews, Bill Sellars (Anne) and their children, Rachel and Ethan of Charlotte, NC, and Lee Sellars of NYC. Other survivors include their beloved friend of over 40 years, Eddie Peatross of Winston-Salem, and dear friends, Roger McLain and family of Opp. At the request of the Twins, no formal service will be held.