The Preparatory Piano Department is pleased to announce our new Musicianship for Pianists classes. Meeting once a week at our Downtown or Towson locations, these classes bring students together in small groups to expand their focus and supplement their learning. Musicianship for Pianists includes performance opportunities and is taught by members of our preeminent faculty. Designed as a supplement to weekly lessons, and offering a unique learning opportunity, all Piano Department students are encouraged to participate in the Musicianship for Pianists program.
Teodora Adzharova, Musicianship for Pianists Coordinator
Min Young Park
Soyoung Ryoo
Michaela Trnkova
Enrollment in Musicianship for Pianists classes requires students to also enroll in private lessons.
BACH (45 min) 5-6 y/o
Is your child just starting their journey into the world of music? Would you like them to join a
supportive, fun, and motivational group environment? Our BACH class is designed for students ages 5-6 with no prior experience. Taken alongside private piano lessons, it reinforces concepts and helps build solid foundational skills. Under the expert guidance of our faculty, students will develop the following skills:
Your instructor will contact you regarding class materials and other information.
HAYDN (45 min) 7-9 y/o
Is your child a beginner in their first or second year of private piano lessons? Our HAYDN class is designed to bring young beginners or students with prior foundational knowledge together in a fun and motivational group setting. In addition to reading basic rhythms and notes on the grand staff, students in the HAYDN class will delve further into musical literacy through study of the following skills:
Your instructor will contact you regarding class materials and other information.
BEETHOVEN (1 hr) 7-9 y/o
The BEETHOVEN class is designed for students at the Elementary 1 playing level. While it is not required that your child complete the BACH and HAYDN classes, fluency in reading music is recommended. In addition to building upon and strengthening skills developed in earlier classes, the BEETHOVEN class will introduce elements of music history and higher-level theory concepts. Students will also hone their performance skills in a supportive and informal environment. After completing this class, your child will have a better understating of the following skills:
Placement in this class should be made on the recommendation of your private piano instructor.
SCHUMANN (1 hr) 7-10 y/o
Has your child studied piano for a few years? Are they currently working on introductory Classical repertoire and have some prior experience with music theory and performance? Our SCHUMANN class is designed for students at the Elementary 2 level with proficient reading skills. Bringing together concepts from previous classes, the SCHUMANN class will explore the following concepts:
Placement in this class should be made on the recommendation of your private piano instructor.
CHOPIN (1 hr) 9-12 y/o
The CHOPIN class is for students at the Elementary 3 level or students who have completed the SCHUMANN class. As a culmination point in our elementary curriculum, the CHOPIN class satisfies the theory requirement for students completing their Elementary 3 Certificate Exam. Many activities are brought together to ensure students fully understand intervals, triads, scales, and key signatures among other core concepts. This ongoing refinement of theoretical knowledge is put into practice through study and exploration of the following concepts:
Placement in this class should be made on the recommendation of your private piano instructor.
LISZT (1hr) 10-14 y/o
The LISZT class is designed as a transitional program between our CHOPIN and BRAHMS classes with a greater focus on piano performance. It is designed for students at the Elementary 3 level up to the Intermediate 1 level, as well as students who have completed the CHOPIN class and wish to further refine their repertoire and performance skills. The LISZT class will also focus on the following skills and concepts:
The class culminates in an opportunity for students to compose a short piano solo and present it at a special end-of-year public performance.
Placement in this class should be made on the recommendation of your private piano instructor.
BRAHMS (1hr) 11-14 y/o
The BRAHMS class is for students at the Intermediate 1 playing level or those who have completed our CHOPIN class. Students in the BRAHMS class will dive into the Romantic era, exploring its complex harmonic language and musical forms and learning about important masterpieces and famous pianists of the Romantic tradition. Examples of relevant theoretical and historical topics covered include the following:
Placement in this class should be made at your private piano instructor’s recommendation unless you have completed either the CHOPIN or LISZT classes.
DEBUSSY (1hr) 13-18 y/o
The DEBUSSY class is for students at the Intermediate 2 playing level or those who have completed our LISZT or BRAHMS classes. In addition to sharpening sight-reading and analysis skills, students will also be introduced to basic figured bass and score reduction. An additional focus of the class is 20th century repertoire and early contemporary techniques. Additional theoretical and historical topics include the following:
Placement in this class should be made at your private piano instructor’s recommendation unless you have completed the BRAHMS class.
PROKOFIEV (1hr) 13-18 y/o
The PROKOFIEV class is suitable for students at the Intermediate 3 level. As a culmination point in our intermediate curriculum, the Prokofiev class satisfies the theory requirement for students completing the Intermediate 3 Certificate Exam in piano. Students at this level will be encouraged to go further with their understanding of the following skills and concepts:
Placement in this class should be made on your private piano instructor’s recommendation unless you have completed the DEBUSSY class.