HieYon Choi
One of the most sought-after pianists of her generation, South Korean pianist HieYon Choi first appeared on the international piano music scene when she won prizes at high-profile competitions such as Kapell, Epinal, Busoni and Viotti.
Piano
The mission of the Peabody Piano Department is to guide and inspire promising young musicians toward professional careers as global ambassadors for their art.
The Piano Department at the Conservatory has a long tradition of excellence dating back to the days of Arthur Friedheim, who was a student of Franz Liszt, through the 60-year teaching tenure of the eminent Leon Fleisher, and to today’s roster of renowned artist-faculty. Throughout its history, many luminaries have trained our students to become artists as well as fine pianists. We are a faculty of diverse backgrounds and training but are all deeply committed to the development and wellbeing of our students. In addition to passing along our tradition of excellence, we take seriously the responsibility to prepare our students for a wide range of possible futures, which may include teaching at all levels and the performance of traditional and new music, both as solo and collaborative artists. We will also ensure that they develop the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences and the entrepreneurial and technology skills necessary to find their place as 21st century musicians.
Peabody’s Piano Department attracts the finest young talent from the nation and the world. Our piano students have won major prizes in such international competitions as the Busoni, Van Cliburn, Hamamatsu, Kapell, Marguerite Long, Montreal, Munich, Naumburg, New Orleans, American Pianists Association, Queen Elisabeth, Rubinstein, Tchaikovsky, International Chopin, Young Concert Artists, Sendai, Dublin, Hilton Head, San Jose International and San Marino International.
Peabody graduates enjoy global concert careers and many combine performing with teaching at prestigious conservatories, colleges, and universities in this country and abroad.
Performance Opportunities
The Peabody Conservatory provides opportunities for pianists to develop their solo and ensemble skills in a wide variety of performance venues both on campus and in the community. Each year the Peabody concert season features about 60 major public concerts by ensembles such as the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Chamber Orchestra, Peabody Opera Theatre, and Peabody Modern Orchestra. Pianists may perform in smaller ensembles ranging from early music ensembles to contemporary and computer music ensembles. They may also participate in the Friday Noon:30 departmental recital series, master classes, Opera Workshop, and approximately 500 in-house recitals annually. The Baltimore/Washington area provides a wealth of additional performance opportunities.
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Faculty
Richard Goode
Richard Goode has been hailed for music-making of tremendous emotional power, depth and expressiveness, and has been acknowledged worldwide as one of today’s leading interpreters of Classical and Romantic music. In regular performances with the major orchestras, recitals in the world’s music capitals, and through his extensive and acclaimed Nonesuch recordings, he has won a large and devoted following.
Benjamin Pasternack
Among the most experienced and versatile musicians today, the American pianist Benjamin Pasternack has performed as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician on four continents. His orchestral engagements have included appearances as soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec.
Ann Schein
About Ann Schein, the Washington Post has written, “Thank heaven for Ann Schein…what a relief it is to hear a pianist who, with no muss or fuss, simply reaches right into the heart of whatever she is playing – and creates music so powerful you cannot tear yourself away.”
Alexander Shtarkman
Alexander Shtarkman's debut recitals in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City prompted strong words of praise from audiences and critics alike. Recital appearances in the United States include the Ambassador Foundation, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, Tisch Center for the Performing Arts, and many more.
Boris Slutksy
Since his orchestral debut at Carnegie Hall with the New York Youth Symphony in 1980, Boris Slutsky has appeared on nearly every continent as soloist and recitalist. Slutsky joined the piano faculty of the Peabody Conservatory in 1993 where he taught until 2021, returning in 2024 as Distinguished Professor of Piano.
Steven Spooner
At the very forefront of American pianists, critics and audiences have unanimously hailed the distinctive and compelling performances of pianist Steven Spooner. He has been engaged at many of the world’s most prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Great Hall of the Liszt Academy (Budapest), Salle Cortot (Paris), and Shanghai Concert Hall, among many others as soloist with orchestra and recitalist.