Welcome to the VCUarts Piano Area! Guided by our accomplished faculty, students grow in inspiring performances and collaborative learning. They refine their skills, explore new musical perspectives, and prepare for meaningful careers as performers, educators, and creative leaders in arts.
About the Program
The Piano Area at Virginia Commonwealth University is a welcoming and supportive place for pianists who want to grow and strive for excellence as musicians and future leaders in the arts field. Students enjoy a mix of focused applied lessons and a rich performance curriculum, including piano ensembles, accompanying, piano literature, and pedagogy. Through one-on-one instruction, weekly studio masterclasses, and frequent performance opportunities in solo and ensemble settings, students develop their technique, artistic expression, and a broader understanding of music across genres.
VCU’s piano faculty are active performers and clinicians on national and international stages, guiding students toward confident musicianship while encouraging exploration across styles and disciplines. Visiting artists, masterclasses, and Richmond’s vibrant arts scene provide hands-on experience and a glimpse into the life of a versatile pianist. The piano area at VCU is more than a place to study—it’s a community where creativity, collaboration, and a love of music thrive.
Degrees Offered
The Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance prepares students to refine their performance skills and build a strong foundation for graduate study, collaborative piano work, or teaching in both private and academic settings.
While centered on applied, one-on-one lessons, the piano curriculum also offers a diverse range of required and elective courses, including music theory, aural skills, music history, conducting, piano ensemble, vocal and instrumental accompanying, survey of piano literature, pedagogy, and more.
Bachelor of Music with a concentration in music education/instrumental program is designed for students who wish to develop their musicianship while gaining practical classroom teaching experience through student-teaching internships and work in the field. Graduates qualify for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Collegiate Professional Certificate to teach music in public schools. The concentration in music education/instrumental requires completing the degree with a primary instrument of wind band or orchestra tradition.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed for students who want to pursue a degree that combines a breadth of general studies with a major in music. The program includes one-on-one lessons on their primary instrument, courses in theory, aural skills, music history, foreign language, as well as music and open electives.
Piano Audition Requirements
Piano Faculty Performance Videos
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