Program Overview

Piano

Piano majors at Oberlin study with faculty who are nationally known performers and soloists, ensemble players and guest lecturers. Private study, coursework, master classes, and recitals round out the undergraduate experience. Students also have access to any of Oberlin's 240-plus Steinway pianos, situated in practice rooms and in our performance venues.

Program Facts

  • Program Type: Major, Artist Diploma
    • Bachelor of Music (BM)
    • Artist Diploma (ADip)
  • Division: Keyboard Studies

Piano Department Chair

Alvin Chow,
Professor of Piano

Piano student Yihui Liu playing with the Oberlin Orchestra
Piano student Yihui Liu, a winner of Oberlin's Senior Concerto Competition, performs with the Oberlin Orchestra in Finney Chapel.
Photo credit: Walter Novak

Student Performances

Oberlin’s 500-plus concerts every year offer conservatory students a wealth of opportunities to participate in competitions and recitals, and to perform as soloists or accompanists. Use your talents to support one of the many performance ensembles, such as the Oberlin Orchestra and Oberlin College Choir, or a student group such as the Musical Theater Association.

See Performance Ensembles

Piano Faculty

Conservatory faculty maintain active performance schedules while remaining accessible and committed to their students. Individual instruction is paramount to helping students develop their mechanical, technical, stylistic, psychological, and musical skills.

Upcoming Piano Events

Piano News

Semester Ends with a Packed Performance Calendar

December 8, 2023

Oberlin Conservatory’s student and faculty performers have been filling most concert venues throughout the campus over the last week. During these final five bustling days before students head into reading period and then exams, this explosion of activity feels something akin to the thrilling finale of a fireworks display on New Year's Eve. So, join in—even from a distance. All of these concerts are free and open to the public, and all but one of them can be streamed live at concert time at oberlin.edu/livestream.
Musical Union with Oberlin Orchestra

Time Traveling with Jeremy Denk

November 13, 2023

The pianist and Oberlin alum is touring the country with an era-spanning program featuring women composers. He returns to Finney Chapel for the Artist Recital Series on November 30.
Black and white photo of man sitting arms resting on a piano.