Piano pedagogy

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Welcome to piano pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!

Our piano pedagogy program trains both undergraduate and graduate pianists to become excellent and knowledgeable teachers at all levels. Undergraduate students majoring in piano performance gain practical teaching experience through various courses in pedagogy.

MM in Piano Performance + Pedagogy
The Master of Music in Piano Performance + Pedagogy program empowers piano performers and teachers with the soundest educational approaches, research and technologies. The goal is to prepare versatile teachers who can teach students of all levels and ages in private studios, preparatory music schools and colleges. The program is designed to train teachers who are also pianists of the highest caliber, capable of performing at a professional level. Our students gain practical experience teaching at different levels and ages through the CU Boulder Youth and Adult Piano Programs and group classes for music majors and non-majors. The degree projects include a full recital and a substantial research document on a pedagogical topic. For a degree plan, visit the College of Music’s academics pages.

By the end of their studies, MM students will have attained the following competencies:

  • Skills in teaching music through piano to children, adolescents and adults at the elementary, pre-college and college levels
  • Skills in teaching class piano and keyboard skills to college students in group settings
  • Ability to plan and sequence a piano curriculum that includes the development of musicality, technical, functional and creative skills for diverse ages
  • Knowledge of a broad range of educational materials at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels
  • Knowledge and experience using instructional technology
  • Research skills for the creation of research papers and essays, and preparation of articles and reviews for magazine publication
  • Presentation skills appropriate to professional conferences and lecture recitals
  • A high level of performance skills across a wide variety of styles

DMA in Piano Performance + Pedagogy
Please note: This is a new degree that will be added in the Fall 2026. Its degree plan may not yet be published. We are currently accepting applications for the academic year 2026-2027. Please be in touch with Alejandro.Cremaschi@colorado.edu for directions on how to apply.

The new DMA in Piano Performance + Pedagogy prepares pianists for higher education teaching and research positions. The degree combines advanced training in piano performance with our excellent faculty, and in-depth training in empirical, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. In addition to the goals highlighted for the MM in Piano Performance + Pedagogy, the DMA degree requires two full recitals (solo, chamber and/or lecture-recital) and a substantial research document to fill this gap in the literature and contribute original research to the field of Piano Pedagogy, followed by a public oral defense. The degree plan includes a required course in Wellness for Musician with our specialized faculty in the CU Boulder Music Wellness Center.

The Roser Piano and Keyboard Department has created a new Teaching Assistantship for students in this degree. The Teaching Assistantship provides candidates with collegiate teaching experience, as well as pedagogical supervision of instructors in our Youth Piano Program as appropriate.

Prospective students

Student opportunities

  • Practical teaching experience Students majoring in pedagogy have a large array of practical teaching opportunities to choose among—including supervised teaching of adults individually and in groups through CU Boulder’s Continuing Education department, and supervised teaching of children’s classes at the college and individual lessons at local community music schools.
  • Teaching assistantships Teaching assistantships are available on competitive basis. All applicants are automatically considered for assistantships. As part of the TA duties, students are in charge of teaching college-level class piano under supervision. Duties may include private teaching of secondary piano students and accompanying, depending on the needs of the department and the applicant’s background. Full assistantships cover the cost of tuition and include an additional stipend. Submit this form by Jan. 1 to apply.
  • Technology The use and study of instructional technology is one of the strengths of our program. Students in the program acquire experience using MIDI, electronic keyboards and computer software and hardware, as well as the knowledge to develop and create technological instructional tools.

Piano pedagogy library

  • The piano pedagogy library—hosted in the piano lab—contains ~1500 volumes, including early 20th century materials and methods. 

CU Boulder pedagogy library catalog

Undergraduate courses

MUSC 3345 (2). Piano Pedagogy 1
Discusses teaching philosophies, objectives, and procedures of elementary piano teaching. Examines and evaluates methods and materials. Studies practical aspects with which the private teacher is concerned. Includes segment on teaching with technology. Offered fall of even-numbered years.

MUSC 3355 (2). Piano Pedagogy 2
Materials and techniques for teaching piano with a focus on the intermediate level student. Includes a segment on technological tools for teaching. Offered only in spring of odd-numbered years.

MUSC 3445 (1). Practicum in Piano Teaching: Elementary Level
Provides practical experience teaching piano at the elementary and early intermediate levels under faculty supervision.

Graduate courses

MUSC 5305 (2). Piano Pedagogy Group Techniques
Discusses materials and techniques for teaching beginning piano students of various ages in class settings. Includes a segment on technological tools. Special attention given to adult classes.

MUSC 5315 (2). Piano Pedagogy: Intermediate Literature
Surveys repertoire for intermediate and early advanced level piano students and discusses teaching techniques. Explores issues relevant to the advanced performer, such as handling of performance anxiety, physical and psychological well-being, advanced technique, etc.

MUSC 5215 (1). Studies in Piano Teaching
Studies the practical aspects and techniques for teaching piano at the intermediate and advanced levels in pre-college and college settings, as well as teaching group piano at the college level. Provides practical experience under faculty supervision.

MUSC 5345. Research: Piano Literature + Pedagogy
Looks at individual or group research related to piano pedagogy or literature for piano. This course is used as a topics seminar course.

alejandro cremaschi
Alejandro Cremaschi

Alejandro Cremaschi received his MM and DMA degrees from the University of Minnesota. He earned undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. He studied with Edith Peinado, Dora De Marinis, Nancy Roldan and Lydia Artymiw. He has been a soloist with the orchestras of the Universidad de Cuyo, Universidad de Tucumán, University of Minnesota and the National Symphony Orchestra of Argentina among others. He was a prize winner at the International Beethoven Sonata Piano Competition in Memphis, Tennessee in 2001. Cremaschi is in demand as a specialist on Latin American piano music. He is the editor and recording artist for the new edition of Alberto Ginastera’s Doce Preludios Americanos, published by Carl Fischer Publishing in 2016. Between 1996 and 2002, he was a member of the Argentine Foundation “Ostinato,” founded and directed by his former teacher Dora De Marinis. As a member of this foundation, and in collaboration with other members, he recorded Argentine music for the labels IRCO, Ostinato and Marco Polo, and participated in concert tours in the US and Europe. Since 2004, he actively collaborated with the Argentine composer and CU professor emeritus Luis Jorge Gonzalez until his death in 2016. His recordings of solo and chamber music by Gonzalez have been released in the CDs Las Puertas del Tiempo (2009), Fervor (2012) and Tango:Body and Soul (2015) by the British label Meridian Records. Las Puertas del Tiempo was praised by Fanfare Magazine as “exemplary.” MORE

Contact

Alejandro Cremaschi
Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy
alejandro.cremaschi@colorado.edu

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