What's New
More for pianists
Without extra charge, all participants in Continuing Education studio lessons receive access to a series of six evening workshop/recital events during the 2010/2011 academic year. More on this.
In addition, pianists registered for Continuing Education private studio lessons may audit Ya-Fei Chuang's Piano Interpretation and Performance Seminar (Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 pm) without charge. More on this.
Piano Faculty
Complete List of Piano Faculty
Jazz Piano Faculty
Eyran Katsenelenbogen
Vanessa Morris
David Zoffer, Jazz Chair
Certificate Programs
A Certificate of Merit and a Professional Studies Certificate are available in classical piano. Jazz certificates are also available. Check out our Certificates page for more information.
Private Lessons
Students wishing to broaden their musical training whether general or expert can do so through private instruction. Private lessons are offered by highly qualified and experienced faculty. Lessons range from 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Lessons are open to everyone and you can enroll at anytime. Private lesson placement is made by the department chair, Samuel Adams. Please contact the Director of Continuing Education at 617-585-1125 or ContinuingEducation@necmusic.edu for more info and a placement interview.
Chamber Music
Piano and Strings
Chamber music for pianists is offered in both the fall and spring semesters. Check out our Chamber Music page for details!
Piano Duo
Tatyana Dudochkin, coordinator
Open by audition to pianists who wish to learn through collaboration, these coached duos study fourhand or duo-piano repertoire. Students are paired by ability. Auditions will be held in September. Please contact the office coordinator at 617-585-1131 to set up an appointment.
Classes & Seminars
Group Piano Class
Fredericka King, Instructor
7 sessions, Wed 6:00-8:00 pm
1 credit: $575
Non-credit: $410
OFFERED FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS BEGINS 2/1
Are you interested in learning the piano or returning to your piano playing? For beginners, this class provides a welcoming and easy introduction to the keyboard. You will learn note-reading and rhythm skills and will develop technique to play repertoire at your skill level. No prior keyboard experience is required. If you have had experience playing piano, or have participated in a previous session, through personalized instruction this class can help you boost your technique and progress to a more advanced level of repertoire. The class set-up can accommodate varying beginning skill levels and can be customized for returning and continuing students. If you have questions, please contact the Department of Continuing Education at 617-585-1130.
Piano Interpretation & Performance Seminar
Ya-Fei Chuang, Instructor
Open to active participants and auditors
Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30 pm
OFFERED FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS BEGINS 10/5
Fall Dates: 10/5, 10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/30, 12/7, 1/11 Recital: 1/18
Spring Dates: 2/1, 2/15, 2/29, 3/14, 3/28, 4/11, 4/25, Recital: 5/16
1 credit including 2 hours coaching: $600 per semester
Non-credit including 2 hours of coaching: $500 per semester
Auditors: $250 per semester
Auditors Drop In: $40 pay at the door per session
This class, designed for intermediate to advanced level performers, will address technical, stylistic and conceptual issues in order to deepen participants' musical understanding and provide an artistic context to their repertoire. Practice techniques, performance preparation and learning to "own the stage" will also be addressed.
The seminar will be conducted in the format of a masterclass. All active participants will be coached by Ya-Fei Chuang and at least once a semester by one of two distinguished guest artists. Past guests include world-renowned music scholar Christoph Wolff from Harvard University, Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Yehudi Wyner, and concert pianists/piano professors such as Jonathan Bass, Bruce Brubaker, David Deveau, Robert Levin, Max Levinson, Michael Lewin, Victor Rosenbaum, Sergey Schepkin.
The seminar will culminate in a public concert by all active participants, at the end of each semester in NEC's Williams Hall.
An audition is required only for active participants: please call 617-585-1130 to schedule an audition. Auditions will be on September 21 from 6:30-8:00pm and will be in 15-minute blocks. Audition repertoire should consist of at least two contrasting styles of the candidate’s choice, with score or by memory. Performers registered for the previous year may re-audition or use the spring concert as their audition.
Credit: Performers who register for credit are required to submit a five to seven page paper that discusses an unusual or controversial aspect of a work which they will perform during the semester. The paper should reflect both outside reading and original ideas of the student. Deadline for papers will be determined by Ms. Chuang upon discussion.
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Performance: 70%
Paper: 20%
Participation and Attendance: 10%
Piano Pedagogy
A. Ramón Rivera, Instructor
Tuesdays 12:30–2:30 pm
2 credits: $1150
Non-credit: $820
SPRING ONLYEARLY START Jan. 17
Note: This course is on the NEC college calendar.
This course examines methods, concept series, teaching materials, and literature from elementary through upper intermediate levels; views comparative educational philosophies and psychologies as related to piano teaching; features guest lecturers in special areas of concentration; and introduces Dalcroze Eurhythmics and group piano teaching. Course includes lectures, discussion, performance, reading and research assignments.
This is an NEC College course that is available to Continuing Education students. All participants receive conference time with the instructor and all printed materials and observe Preparatory School Saturday Piano Seminars, workshops, and evaluations. Students registered for credit also receive 6 or more hours of mentoring with members of the Preparatory School Piano Faculty.
Piano Workshop/Recital Series
Samuel Adams, Instructor
12 Thursdays, in 6 pairs, 6:30 pm
Fall and Spring Dates:
Workshop 10/20
Recital 10/27
Workshop 11/17
Recital 12/1
Workshop 1/19
Recital 1/26
Workshop 2/16
Recital 2/23
Workshop 3/15
Recital 3/29
Workshop 4/19
Recital 4/26
Offered free of charge to pianists enrolled in NEC Continuing Education piano studio, as a not-for-credit enrichment program
NEC Continuing Education piano chair Samuel Adams will conduct a series of six paired evening piano workshops and recitals for college students and adults of all ages who are registered at NEC for their piano lessons. You will be able to give and receive feedback as part of a community of adult pianists. Your teacher will sign you up for the workshop, and participants in each workshop will perform in the respective recital, usually the following week.
photos by Andrew Hurlbut
2012-01-11
CLAUDE DEBUSSY