{"id":3227,"date":"2017-07-14T15:34:32","date_gmt":"2017-07-14T19:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/peabody.jhu.edu\/?page_id=3227"},"modified":"2025-06-23T09:38:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T13:38:44","slug":"piano-academy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/peabody.jhu.edu\/preparatory\/ways-to-study\/departments\/piano\/piano-academy\/","title":{"rendered":"Piano Academy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chad R. Bowles<\/a>, Co-Director
Hyun-Sook Park<\/a>, Co-Director<\/p>\n

The Peabody Piano Academy, for the Preparatory’s most advanced and motivated students, brings together late intermediate and advanced piano students in a mutually enriching, challenging and encouraging environment. Serious piano students, ages 12-18, whose playing exhibits above-average fluidity, musicality, and promise may be considered for the program and are chosen for acceptance by audition before the start of the fall semester. Exceptional younger students may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The audition process includes a theory test.<\/p>\n

The goal of the Academy is to give the piano student a well-rounded education in order to help in gaining a thorough understanding of the literature and to enhance the enjoyment of music making. Students will become more thoughtful and capable musicians who are both skilled and knowledgeable about their instrument, as well as able collaborators. Piano Academy students will be expected to practice 2-3 hours a day and participate in all special events. Since Piano Academy classes take place on Saturdays, it is encouraged that Piano Academy students have their individual instruction scheduled on a weekday.<\/p>\n

Piano Academy classes take place on Saturdays at the Peabody downtown campus and, in addition to weekly 60 or 90 minute individual instruction with a member of the Peabody faculty, includes Ear-Training, Musicianship for Pianists (sight-reading, transposition, keyboard harmony, and improvisation, instrumental, and vocal collaboration) and a Performance Class. The centerpiece of the Peabody Piano Academy, the Performance Class is designed as a group-learning experience, where students perform for each other, receiving feedback from the instructor as well as their peers and guest teachers. It offers frequent performance opportunities through repertoire classes, mock auditions, and master classes with guest artists. Students are asked to submit short essays on the pieces they are performing, showing knowledge of time period and style. The Performance Class also includes listening to and learning about standard repertoire, lectures, and the Piano Academy recital at the end of each semester. Piano Academy students also have additional opportunities to perform in their private teacher’s studio recitals.<\/p>\n