Piano & Collaborative Piano

Student, Noel Levitz, in a piano lesson.
Areas of Study

About The Program

When you study piano here, you’ll focus on your instrument in applied private lessons, have plenty of chances to perform as a soloist and collaborator, gain a broader understanding of music in your academic classes and get the chance to dive into electives like music business or recording techniques. You will also benefit from the regular schedule of recitals and master classes by internationally acclaimed guest artists such as Frank Weinstock, Marina Lomazov, Anton Nel, Robert Weirich and Douglas Humpherys. You can also compete to perform with the UNC Symphony Orchestra or for other national and international music events and stages. You’ll be prepared to go further in your career as a modern musician.

Build a strong musical foundation that will prepare you to perform and/or teach with our Bachelor of Music in Performance and Bachelor of Music Education degrees. Or explore your passion for music in a more flexible way with our Bachelor of Arts degrees in Latinx Music, Culture and Expression, and Music Business and Recording Arts.

Ready to dig deeper? Our Graduate Performance Certificate, Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano will enhance your performance skills and push you academically to prepare you for the next level of your career.

Degree Programs

Get hands-on performance experience.

  • Piano Studio Performance Class
  • Piano Master Classes
  • UNC Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition
  • Southard Music Competition
  • Chamber Music
  • Small and Large Music Ensembles

Apply to this Program See Piano Audition Requirements

See Collaborative Piano Audition Requirements Music Ensembles

Creative Spaces Beyond the Classroom Alumni

All-Steinway Initiative

Thanks to the generosity of many donors, we become an All-Steinway School in 2021 as the first public university in Colorado to receive this prestigious distinction. This ensures that you and your faculty have access to the best instruments.

Alejandro Arroyo, a former doctoral student in Piano Performance.
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Op. 2 No. 3 in C major: I. Allegro con brio.

 

Yuan Li, a former doctoral student studying Piano Performance.
Medtner’s Alla Reminiscenza, Forgotten Melodies Op. 38, No. 9.

Discover Your Stage

Competitions

You’ll have exciting opportunities to showcase your talent in the Southard Music Competition and the prestigious UNC Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.

Orchestra performing with Dr. Lei Weng.

Beethoven in the Rockies

This concert series inspired by the legacy of Ludwig van Beethoven brings a variety of guest artists and ensembles to northern Colorado every year for a diverse set of events.

Piano and orchestra performance at a Beethoven in the Rockies concert.

Colorado International Piano Academy & Festival

We host the Colorado International Piano Academy and Festival, which brings together  world-class pianists and teachers for a week of concerts, open masterclasses, presentations and more.

Colorado International Piano Academy and Festival performers acknowledging the audience on stage.

Our Piano Faculty

Headshot of Jenna Braaksma.

Jenna Braaksma

Assistant Professor of Collaborative Piano & Piano Pedagogy

Headshot of Dana Landry.

Dana Landry

Professor of Jazz Studies and Piano, Director of Jazz Studies

Headshot of Lei Weng.

Lei Weng

Professor of Piano, Keyboard Area Head

Headshot of Kati Rittner.

Katilyn Rittner

Adjunct Faculty, Class Piano Coordinator & Staff Collaborative Pianist

Our Staff Pianists

Headshot of Katie Hughes.

Katie Hughes

Adjunct Faculty, Theatre & Staff Collaborative Pianist