What you will study
What is Piano Pedagogy at UCM offering students at the bachelor’s level? You’ll develop
skills in musicianship, performance and teaching. Your coursework will include hands-on
learning through practicums and real-world projects that will prepare you for all
kinds of scenarios in the music industry. Our Piano Pedagogy degree starts with a
foundation in classical music training and covers a range of topics in courses such
as:
- Aural Training: Learn how to identify and transcribe rhythms, melodies, chords and harmonic progressions
by ear.
- Piano I and II: Diversify your repertoire and improve your performance skills with technical study
of keyboard literature from various eras.
- Piano Pedagogy for all levels of students: Develop effective foundational teaching skills that will help you make a powerful
impact on beginning, intermediate and advanced students.
Excellence in Piano Pedagogy
- Top 15%: Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Focused College for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 8%: Most Popular Colleges for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in piano pedagogy
At the University of Central Missouri, we take pride in offering real-world experience
to help you prepare for your career in teaching music:
- Teaching: Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Piano Pedagogy benefit from teaching practicum
placements that include faculty observation and feedback. In later semesters, you’ll
teach private lessons in your own mini-studio and through UCM’s community music program.
- Volunteering: What is piano pedagogy training at UCM going to help you offer your students and those
around you? You’ll use your piano instruction skills to benefit your community and
gain valuable in-person experience with music students of all ages. Students in UCM’s
Piano Pedagogy degree program volunteer in community service activities through the
Missouri Federation of Music Clubs and the Missouri Music Teachers Association.
- Career-building: As a Piano Pedagogy major at UCM, you’ll learn about social media self-promotion,
digital distribution of recordings, creating a personal website and other marketing
and promotion techniques that will benefit your career.
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in Piano Pedagogy from UCM?
UCM’s Piano Pedagogy degree provides you with specialized musical training, teaching
skills and networking strategies. You’ll graduate with the piano performance skills,
pedagogical know-how and technological savvy you need to teach in your own music studio,
pursue a career as a musician or continue your music studies in grad school.
Many of UCM’s Piano Pedagogy graduates go on to pursue Master of Music degrees at
prestigious universities. Our faculty members strive to support you throughout the
graduate school application process and can help you secure a place at your school
of choice.
What is Piano Pedagogy preparing you for?
Use the interactive tool below to learn more about careers for Piano Pedagogy majors,
including job outlooks, salaries and more.
Financial assistance options for your Piano Pedagogy degree
UCM's various financial aid options can make your Piano Pedagogy degree more affordable. We offer scholarships for incoming
freshmen, current undergraduate students, transfer students and out-of-state students.
Beyond the awards and scholarships offered to Music majors based on their entrance
audition, you can apply for competitive merit-based and endowed scholarships reserved
for Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance majors, such as:
- Dr. Richard B. Smith Piano Scholarship
- Joan Hubbel Scholarship
- Marion Davies Piano Scholarship for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Use the UCM Scholarship Finder to learn more about program-specific scholarships.
Meet Dr. Mia Kim
Professor of Piano, Piano area coordinator
Dr. Kim has been a performing pianist since the age of 12. She holds a doctorate from
the Eastman School of Music and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music from Indiana
University. She teaches pedagogy courses and private lessons to piano majors. She
also offers unique insights into historical performance practice, emotional regulation
in the studio/on stage and physiology.
All-Steinway School
In 2006, UCM became an All-Steinway school. Among our 61 Steinway and Steinway-designed
Boston pianos is our 9-foot concert grand piano. Students in UCM’s Piano Pedagogy
degree program have full access to UCM’s world-class Steinway collection for use on
our concert stages and in our teaching studios, practice rooms and classrooms.
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