Department of Piano

The Department of Piano offers comprehensive professional training to talented musicians, along with the exceptional opportunity to study at one of the nation’s foremost public research universities. Performance opportunities are plentiful and strongly encouraged, along with many possibilities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Pianists receive thorough preparation for careers as soloists, chamber musicians, accompanists and teachers through individual instruction, ensemble coaching, chamber music studies, and a rigorous course of piano literature and musicianship classes, including access to performance practice, fortepiano, and harpsichord instruction. Fellow students are smart, focused, and supportive, creating a rich environment for artistic growth and creative thought.

Faculty

Members of the piano faculty are distinguished musicians and devoted teachers who expertly guide and encourage students to achieve their greatest potential.  As active practitioners of their craft and celebrated pedagogues, they offer weekly private lessons and seminars to all their students.

Programs & Resources

Michigan Recording Project
The Michigan Recording Project’s objective is to establish an archive containing professionally recorded performances by students, faculty, and guest artists, showcasing worthy but often overlooked repertoire that has not graced the stages of the SMTD in the previous decades.

Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program
The Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program (PPLP) provides both teacher-training for the University of Michigan students enrolled in the Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Performance degree, and piano lessons to pre-college age students from the community.

U-M Gershwin Initiative
SMTD holds a long-term partnership with the Gershwin family on an initiative that brings the music of George and Ira Gershwin to students, scholars, performers and audiences across campus and worldwide.

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

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

Collaborative Piano

Collaborative Piano students work with vocalists and instrumentalists throughout SMTD.

Chamber Music

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

Large Ensembles

SMTD ensembles offer numerous concerts each season, performing notable works in the traditional canon as well as abundant newly commissioned works.

Our Stories

Alumni Notes

Ana Maria Otamendi (DMA ’11, collaborative piano) has forged a diverse career as a vocal coach, collaborative pianist, chamber musician, recording artist, pedagogue, entrepreneur, and conductor. She is is co-founder and co-director of the Collaborative Piano Institute. Otamendi will return to SMTD as an associate professor in fall 2024.
In August 2023, Blair Salter (DMA ’17, collaborative piano) was named head coach for the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program at LA Opera. As part of this position, she oversees the musical development of the young artists, helps to plan their curriculum, and serves as music staff for mainstage LA Opera productions.
Mi-Eun Kim (MM ’14, piano, chamber music; DMA ’21, SM ’22, piano) founded and was the artistic director of the inaugural Yangsan Summer Music Fest, held July and August 2023 in Busan, South Korea. She was joined by SMTD faculty Matthew Bengtson along with several alumni and current students.

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Most applications for Fall 2025 are due by December 1, 2024 - check for exact dates on the appropriate admissions page below.

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