Unique Opportunities in Piano Pedagogy at Michigan State University

The study of piano teaching comes to life at MSU. While concepts for teaching all levels of students are covered in both undergraduate and graduate level courses in piano pedagogy, hands-on experiences are always available. Piano pedagogy students have gained experience by teaching both group classes and private lessons to all levels and ages of students under the supervision of Dr. Derek Polischuk, Director of Piano Pedagogy at the Michigan State University College of Music.

Beginning group piano students shine at their first recital with their teachers Allie Nisbett and Dan Schmidt who are both students in piano pedagogy at Michigan State University. These classes are taught at the beautifully appointed Timberlane Campus of MSU's Community Music School (http://www.msu-cms.org/):

Lansing's Capital Area Music Teachers' Association is fully integrated into the musical life of the University through workshop, festival and competition opportunities including a winners' concert on the stage of MSU's Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Listen to the beautiful cacophony of so many young pianists warming up on 8 beautifully prepared Steinway D's in place for last May's Piano Monster Concert featuring MSU's piano faculty:

Michigan State University's Piano Pedagogy Department strives to make a positive contribution to communities in need across the state of Michigan and to populations undeserved by piano teachers. Each semester, students from the piano pedagogy department at MSU visit The Cornerstone School in urban Detroit to give masterclasses to talented young pianists in a thriving group piano program directed by MSU Piano Pedagogy alum Marina Ionescu. Watch this video of portions of Gina Yi's effective and passionate teaching from the November 2009 visit:

Allie Nisbett demonstrates a great way to practice the legato touch away from the piano:

Dan Schmidt proves that passionate teaching often happens at quick speeds:

Cornerstone students are inspired almost as much as MSU Piano Pedagogy students are:

For more information about Piano Pedagogy at the Michigan State University College of Music, please contact Dr. Derek Polischuk at polischu@msu.edu.