Piano Studies

Piano majors at Saint Mary's prepare for graduate studies or careers in solo performance, accompanying or music education. Performance skills are developed in weekly lessons, weekly performance classes and departmental recitals. Musicianship skills are enhanced by regular participation in collaborative performances with soloists and in chamber music settings. Former piano performance majors have gone on to win competitive teaching assistantships at well-known university schools of music. As a piano major enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Performance degree program, students participate in classes that specifically develop their knowledge and skills in accompanying techniques, piano pedagogy and piano literature.

Piano majors study with master teacher, Dr. Ned Kirk, an accomplished concert pianist who regularly performs all over the world. As artistic and managing director of the Minnesota Beethoven Fetival, he has worked with some of the most imporant international concert artists of our time. Dr. Kirk's most recent recital collaborations are with legendary saxophonist, Branford Marsalis.

Saint Mary's University is an All-Steinway School with outstanding peformance halls, Figlulo Recital Hall and Page Theatre, that are used for all student and faculty recitals as well as many outside professional performances. Being an All-Steinway School means that all practice rooms, teaching studios, rehearsal rooms and performance halls have steinway pianos.