Piano/Keyboard Collaborative Arts

The Keyboard Studies area at Chapman University is directed by Dr. Grace Fong. The area of Keyboard Collaborative Arts (KCA) is directed by Dr. Louise Thomas. Both programs are widely known for the high achievement of our piano majors in local, state, national and international piano competitions, and for the high percentage of graduates in piano performance who pursue graduate degrees at leading music schools in the United States. Our talented and experienced keyboard faculty offer intensive individual instruction, as well as weekly master classes for piano majors. Among the master teachers who have appeared at Chapman are Abbey Simon, Nelita True, Grant Johannesen, Daniel Pollack, John Perry, Frank Wiens, Alan Smith, Grant Gershon and James Barbagallo.

Piano majors are required to complete classes in piano literature, piano pedagogy, piano accompaniment, and chamber music, among others.

Students majoring in KCA are required to take an additional semester of foreign language as well as courses in Diction for Singers and Song Literature. A senior collaborative piano recital and a half solo piano recital will be given. In addition, our outstanding accompanying faculty offer training in both vocal and instrumental accompaniment and a recital is presented at the end of each semester.

The bountiful performance opportunities for pianists at Chapman include solo recitals, chamber recitals, the Modern Music Concert, the New Music Ensemble, annual concerto competition, accompanying recitals and solo concerto performances with the Chapman Chamber Orchestra.