Piano at UTEP
Degrees Offered
UNDERGRADUATE:
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Bachelor of Music in Performance
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Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy
- Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music
GRADUATE:
- Master of Music in Performance
For more information on degrees, ensembles and complete curricular handbooks, visit our Undergraduate Programs page and our Graduate Programs page.
Classical and Commercial Piano
UTEP boasts an international piano faculty and all degrees are designed to combine a strong, traditional music education with development of skills necessary for today’s musicians. With excellence and high standards as a foundation, the faculty offers comprehensive study through private lessons, and solo and chamber music performances, master classes, as well as instrument pedagogy and literature courses supplement one’s education.
Solo Performance Opportunities
The importance of successful solo performance is a high priority for the Piano Area at the Department of Music. In addition to repertoire and technique growth, faculty work with students in the topics of musical communication, stage presence and performance anxiety to provide a challenging yet positive arena for performance. Weekly studio master classes are held to provide supportive commentary and tips for achievement in music performance. The Piano Area also provides weekly recital opportunities.
Chamber Music
The UTEP Department of Music offers the opportunity for pianists to develop as chamber musicians. Piano duos, trios, quartets and quintets as well as duo playing with other musicians are organized at the beginning of each semester. Service awards are given to those piano students who collaborate not only with other soloists, but with UTEP’s large ensembles as well.
Piano Pedagogy
Understanding the importance of music education, the UTEP Department of Music requires all pianists to take piano pedagogy courses. These interactive classes—offered in UTEP’s technologically enhanced, state-of-the-art Digital Keyboard Lab (DKL)—are a mixture of examining historical traditions and encouraging the academic development of a personalized teaching style. UTEP also offers the piano pedagogy degree for those who wish to learn the methodology and business aspects of professional piano teaching. The Department of Music encourages its piano students to investigate professional organizations that support piano pedagogy, such as the Music Teachers National Association.
Commercial Music
The commercial pianist at UTEP is taught a strong foundation in classical piano in addition to learning to perform a variety of commercial styles. As one’s study progresses, the repertoire is further geared toward the individual's commercial strengths. Additionally, all commercial music majors take courses in music technology, music business, commercial arranging, improvisation, and courses in recording that take place in UTEP's outstanding recording studio.
Guest Artists and Master Classes
Realizing how important it is to receive constructive feedback from various points of view, the UTEP Piano Area regularly invites guest artists to perform and offer master classes. This exchange allows students to experience other performers’ interpretations and approaches toward the performance and teaching of piano works. Past artists have included pianists Orion Weiss, Nohema Fernández, Libor Novacek, Tatiana Vetrinskaya, Michael Esch, Awadagin Pratt and Dora de Marinis, amongst others.
Community Support and the El Paso Vicinity
UTEP has a strong relationship with the community. There are multiple venues for young pianists to gain experience as performers and teachers, as well as to attend music concerts of the highest caliber: El Paso is home to the El Paso Symphony, El Paso Opera and El Paso Pro-Musica, among other professional music groups. A student organization called HOLOS connects current piano students of UTEP with alumni and piano aficionados, providing support and interaction between the Department of Music and the El Paso Vicinity.
Piano Faculty
- Dena Kay Jones, D.M.A., Applied Piano and Chamber Music
- Chris Reyman, D.M.A., Commercial Piano, Piano Area Coordinator
Should you have questions about the piano area, please feel free to contact any faculty member, or Dr. Chris Reyman, Piano Area Coordinator: cereyman@utep.edu.
Links
El Paso Pro-Musica
Continuous partnership with Zuill Bailey, Artistic Director of El Paso Pro-Musica, involving master classes, clinics, performances, and workshops through UTEP’s Center for Arts Entrepreneurship.