Degree Information

Bachelor of Music

Piano Performance

The Bachelor of Music degree in piano requires a minimum of 48 units, including core music requirements (15 units), major requirements (18.5 units), Foundational Disciplines (6 units), and elective requirements (8.5 units). A minimum of six courses outside of Bienen are required to graduate. Undergraduate students also have the option to pursue one of five dual degree programs.

See BM: Piano Performance Requirements

Master of Music

MM: Collaborative Piano

The Master of Music in collaborative piano is a two-year program requiring 18 units of study. The program is designed for graduate-level pianists with a strong interest in the art of musical partnership. Curriculum includes weekly performance classes, private instruction, and specialized coachings, allowing students to build fluency in both instrumental and vocal collaboration.

See MM: Collaborative Piano Requirements

MM: Piano Performance

The Master of Music in piano performance is a two-year program requiring 18 units of study. Private lessons are supplemented by a choice of courses in musicology, music theory, and piano repertoire. MM students perform a collaborative recital (instrumental and vocal) as well as a solo recital during their two years in residence. All first-year MM students are eligible to compete for the $5,000 Pauline Lindsay Award held every spring. 

See MM: Piano Performance Requirements

Doctor of Musical Arts

DMA: Piano Performance

The Doctor of Musical Arts is designed to foster the development of both musical artistry and scholarly achievement. The intense, two-year residency requires students to study their instrument for the entire period and to complete a rigorous course load that provides a strong background in supporting academic areas. The program requires at least 18 units of study.

DMA students are provided substantive teaching experience to prepare them comprehensively for a diverse career in the profession. They may also choose to add cognates in an academic area such as music theory or musicology. All DMA students receive a full-tuition scholarship, stipend, and fully subsidized health insurance.

See DMA: Piano Performance Requirements
 

Recent Student News

Isaiah Adams won first prize in the collegiate division of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association piano competition.

Yun-Hua Chang won the Musicians Club of Women’s Nerenberg Award.

Dominic Doutney won first prize in the Seattle International Piano Competition, first prize and the audience prize in the Washington International Competition, and a classical music fellowship from the Luminarts Cultural Foundation.

Evelyn Fan won first prize in the Illinois Music Teachers National Association young artist competition.

Anya Liu won a Farwell Award from the Musicians Club of Women

Angeline Ma won first prize in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition, third prize and the award for best duo sonata performance in the PianoArts North American Competition, and fourth prize in the National Chopin Piano Competition. She won the concerto competition of the 2024 PianoTexas International Festival and Academy, received a 2024 Nerenberg Award from the Musicians Club of Women, and was named a Gilmore International Keyboard Festival Fellow.

Chelsea Wang was selected as a member of the Ensemble Connect.

Ke Wang won first prize in the Pedro Espinosa Piano Competition and was a winner in the 2024 Evanston Music Club–North Shore Musicians Club Scholarship Competition.

Paul Williamson won a classical music fellowship from the Luminarts Cultural Foundation.

Seho Young won third prize in the Dallas International Piano Competition.