Program Overview

Piano

Piano majors at Oberlin study with faculty who are internationally known performers, ensemble players, and teachers. Private study, coursework, master classes, as well as ensemble and recital performances round out the undergraduate experience. Students also have access to Oberlin's 240-plus Steinway pianos, situated in practice rooms and in our nine performance venues.

Program Facts

  • Program Type: Major, Artist Diploma
    • Bachelor of Music (BM)
    • Artist Diploma (ADip)
  • Division: Keyboard Studies

Piano Department Chair

Alvin Chow,
Professor of Piano

Piano student Yihui Liu playing with the Oberlin Orchestra
Piano student Yihui Liu, a winner of Oberlin's Senior Concerto Competition, performs with the Oberlin Orchestra in Finney Chapel.
Photo credit: Walter Novak

Student Performances

Conservatory pianists have a wealth of opportunities to perform as soloists, chamber musicians, collaborative pianists, and in large ensembles. There are several opportunities every semester for pianists to perform in the Conservatory's large ensembles—such as the Oberlin Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and Sinfonietta—or in smaller ensembles including the Creative Music Ensemble, Performance and Improvisation Ensembles, Silent Film Ensemble, and the Oberlin Improvisation and New Music Collective.

See Performance Ensembles

Piano Faculty

Conservatory faculty maintain active performance schedules while remaining accessible and committed to their students. Individual instruction is paramount to helping students develop their mechanical, technical, stylistic, and musical skills as well as their performance acumen.

Explore Faculty within Piano

Upcoming Piano Events

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Piano News

Peter Takács—A Half-Century Celebrated

May 4, 2024

This spring marks the official conclusion of Takács’ tenure, after an incredible 48 years of teaching. Many of his former students from around the world are set to convene for a celebratory concert in Warner Concert Hall on May 12
man seated in front of grand piano

Pianist Jiongli Wang to Perform with Oberlin Chamber Orchestra

May 2, 2024

On Friday, May 3, the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra performs a program that will showcase Concerto Competition winner Jiongli Wang in Frédéric Chopin’s First Piano Concerto, as well as fourth-year composition student Cashel Day-Lewis in the premiere of his Black River Prelude commissioned by Oberlin Conservatory in honor of the Lorain County Bicentennial.
portrait of pianist Jiongli Wang standing in front of a grand piano
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