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.

The Master of Music in piano performance and pedagogy program seeks to prepare excellent piano teachers familiar with the soundest educational approaches and technologies who are capable of teaching children, adolescents and adults in one-on-one and group instruction 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 Piano Program, Continuing Education piano lessons for adults, and group classes for music majors and non-majors.

By the end of their studies, our 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 such as electronic pianos, piano laboratory systems, computer software and hardware, and communication tools such as Powerpoint, LCD projectors and web pages
  • Appropriate written communication 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
alejandro cremaschi

Alejandro Cremaschi

Alejandro Cremaschi, NCTM, 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 Dora De Marinis, Nancy Roldan and Lydia Artymiw. He was a prize winner at the International Beethoven Sonata Piano Competition in Memphis, Tennessee in 2001. Cremaschi’s current pedagogical research areas include concert repertoire and pedagogical music by Latin American composers; student achievement, motivation and practicing strategies; and the pedagogical uses of technology. He has been a presenter at numerous national and international conferences, and has published articles in the Research Studies in Music Education journal, Journal of Music, Technology and Education, Clavier Companion and the MTNA e-journal among others. He is an active performer, and has recorded as a soloist and as a member of Trio Cordilleras for the labels IRCO, Ostinato, Marco Polo and Meridian Records. Cremaschi teaches piano pedagogy, applied piano, class piano and keyboard harmony, and coordinates the class piano area at CU Boulder. He was president of the Colorado State Music Teachers Association between 2012 and 2014. MORE

Upcoming piano + keyboard events

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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.

Contact

While Alejandro Cremaschi is on sabbatical,
 
Alejandro Cremaschi (currently on sabbatical)
Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy
alejandro.cremaschi@colorado.edu
303-492-6510
Imig Music Building, C194