Bachelor of Musical Arts in Piano
Application Deadline for Fall 2025 - December 1, 2024
Michigan undergraduate pianists hail from all over the United States and the world, from China to Korea to Thailand, from Afghanistan to Albania, from Chicago to Atlanta to Seattle to New York and all points in between. The atmosphere of diversity, comradery, and mutual support for one another as we all work toward the achievement of our greatest potential is a hallmark of the Michigan Difference.
Michigan undergraduate pianists receive focused and individual attention from the piano faculty as they prepare for careers as performers and teachers, wherever in the world and profession their musical study takes them. Undergraduates are encouraged to take advantage of study abroad possibilities and the many projects and performance opportunities that help them deepen their artistry, advance their pianism, and position them for success in further study and in becoming leaders in the profession. The Michigan Recording Project, dedicated to producing professional video recordings of student performances of underrepresented repertoire, is an excellent example of the curiosity, exploration, and professionalism that we encourage at Michigan.
Applicants should be able to document both significant pre-college performance experience and a repertoire list that includes substantial advanced pieces from the piano literature.
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Musical Arts in Performance: Piano requires a minimum of 120 credits, approximately 60% of which is required to be taken within SMTD. The remaining coursework can be tailored to a student’s specific interests outside SMTD or within it. Students will elect either a performance or multidisciplinary track. SMTD coursework includes one-on-one Performance Study; courses in Music Theory, Piano Literature (performance track) and Musicology; Ensemble participation and other music electives. The multidisciplinary track also requires coursework in Performing Arts Technology; the performance track requires a final recital for graduation.
Silent Advisor
Degree requirements and term-by-term layout for current students.
Faculty
Matthew Bengtson
David Breitman
Amy I-Lin Cheng
John Ellis
Arthur Greene
Christopher Harding
Aya Higuchi Hagelthorn
Elena Lacheva
Ana María Otamendi
Logan Skelton
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.
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.
Collaborative Piano
Collaborative Piano students work with vocalists and instrumentalists throughout SMTD.
Chamber Music
The thriving chamber music scene at SMTD offers students nearly limitless options to perform, innovate, and collaborate in small, self-driven, and diverse ensembles.
Large Ensembles
SMTD ensembles offer numerous concerts each season, performing notable works in the traditional canon as well as abundant newly commissioned works.