Piano at YSM

The Yale School of Music’s piano department offers rigorous training, expert mentorship, and extensive performance opportunities, equipping students to build successful, lasting careers. While the focus is on solo performance, students also receive comprehensive instruction in chamber music, collaborative piano, and teaching, ensuring they are versatile artists capable of thriving in diverse settings in today’s highly competitive music world.

Students work closely with renowned piano faculty and have frequent opportunities to work with other distinguished artists through supplementary lessons and chamber coachings. The department also invites guest artists to offer invaluable insights through lectures and masterclasses, and to perform recitals as part of the Horowitz Piano Series. Recent visitors have included Emanuel Ax, Idil Biret, Yefim Bronfman, Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Marc-André Hamelin, Angela Hewitt, Radu Lupu, and Fou Ts’ong.

Many students and alumni have earned recognition in prestigious international competitions. While some go on to perform at esteemed venues and festivals worldwide, others have successfully secured academic positions in renowned institutions. 

YSM is an all-Steinway school, with a team of on-site technicians ensuring that all pianos in recital halls, studios, and practice rooms are meticulously maintained.

Master classes

Master classes take place on Thursdays, from 10:30AM to 1PM in Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall, unless otherwise noted. 

These events are free and open to the YSM community, unless otherwise noted. Master classes can also be viewed at at music.yale.edu/live during the class.

Upcoming classes — Spring 2026

January 29 — Mikhail Voskresensky

February 5 — Wei-Yi Yang

February 26 — Boris Berman

March 5 — Melvin Chen

April 9 — Robert Blocker

April 23 — Alexander Korsantia