Master of Music in Piano Performance

Designed for students seeking thorough preparation for careers as soloists, chamber musicians, collaborative pianists, and teachers. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in piano and demonstrate advanced proficiency in pianistic skill and artistry. Those applicants without an undergraduate degree in piano may contact the Admissions Counselor for Piano, Olivia Brown Zandhuis ([email protected]) for possible consideration despite not having the required degree.

Curriculum

The Master of Music in Piano Performance requires a minimum of 32 credits. Coursework includes one-on-one Performance Study; courses in Music Theory, Piano Literature and Musicology; Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music coaching; other music electives, including weekly Piano Forum. Students may elect to pursue a double-major in Performance and Piano Chamber Music, which may be completed in two years.

Final Project:

Final recital

Silent Advisor

Degree requirements and term-by-term layout for current students.

Go to Silent Advisor

Faculty

Matthew Bengtson

Associate Professor of Music

Fortepiano, Piano, Piano Literature

David Breitman

Visiting Professor of Music

Piano

Amy I-Lin Cheng

Assistant Professor of Music

Piano Chamber Music Coordinator

John Ellis

Professor of Music

Arthur Greene

Professor of Music

Christopher Harding

Chair of Piano and Professor of Music

Department Chair

Aya Higuchi Hagelthorn

Lecturer

Piano Pedagogy

Elena Lacheva

Lecturer

Collaborative Piano, Piano

Ana María Otamendi

Associate Professor of Collaborative Piano

Collaborative Piano

Logan Skelton

Artur Schnabel Collegiate Professor of Music in Piano; Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music

Piano

Performance Opportunities

From large ensembles in celebrated concert halls to chamber groups in intimate recital spaces, performance opportunities across all disciplines abound, with nearly 900 student performances each academic year. Whether your focus is on early, classical, or contemporary music, whether your passion is for jazz, electronic, or world music, there is an ensemble—or in many cases, multiple ensembles—to suit your interests, including specific opportunities for percussion, piano, and organ & carillon. For students in theatre & drama, musical theatre, dance, and opera, opportunities abound in both professionally produced and student-run presentations.

smtd performance opportunities

Recitals

Recitals

Across all disciplines, students perform and study with their peers in studio classes and perform for the public in solo student recitals and studio recitals.