Dr. Christopher Fisher is Professor of Piano and chairs the Keyboard Division and directs the nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate piano performance and pedagogy programs.
Keyboard Division – Graduate Admissions
Keyboard Division – Graduate Admissions
The Ohio University Keyboard Division has distinguished itself as a leader in the field of keyboard education, offering a broad spectrum of degrees and innovative curricula designed to train the next generation of keyboard musicians to enter the profession with skill and confidence. Recognized for our nurturing yet rigorous learning environment, our programs promote high performance and academic standards and offer a wide array of performance opportunities, stimulating coursework, supervised teaching, and research initiatives. Furthermore, we endeavor to foster entrepreneurial thinking and visionary leadership among our students.
The Ohio University Keyboard Division is staffed by internationally recognized faculty who are committed to providing the highest quality educational experiences for our students. Our faculty regularly present recitals throughout the United States and abroad, and are esteemed authors, clinicians, and pedagogues. The Keyboard Division is comprised of a vibrant class of undergraduate and graduate students from around the globe. Our alumni hold faculty positions at prominent colleges and universities, and serve as independent piano teachers and studio owners/operators as well as leading contributors to the music publication industry.
Keyboard Admissions & Audition Requirements
Acceptance into the Master of Music in Performance program is by audition only for all entering students.
School of Music Graduate Audition Dates
English Proficiency Requirement
Please review information about Ohio University's minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for graduate study.
International Students
This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.
For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Fisher, Chair of the Keyboard Division, at fisherc@ohio.edu.
Keyboard Audition Requirements
For students applying for:
- Music Performance (Performance) – Master of Music degree
- Music Performance (Performance/Pedagogy) – Master of Music degree
- Music Performance Graduate Certificate
Auditioning students are required to perform a solo program that includes one selection from each of the following categories:
- A major work from the Baroque era
- A complete Classical sonata
- A major composition from the 19th, 20th, or 21st century
- The addition of a virtuosic etude is encouraged but not required of piano performance applicants.
Students will also be assigned a quick-study piece roughly one week prior to the audition. All repertoire must be performed from memory, with the exception of this quick-study piece and any contemporary works of particular complexity. (Please email faculty for questions regarding this.)
A comprehensive repertoire list, including both solo and chamber repertoire that has been studied and performed, should be submitted with the application. Please email this directly to Keyboard Division chair Dr. Christopher Fisher (fisherc@ohio.edu).
For students applying for:
- Music Performance (Collaborative Piano + Vocal/Instrumental) – Master of Music degree
The audition for the graduate collaborative piano program will consist of the following:
- Three art songs representing different styles, languages, and historical periods. (Representation of different styles and historical periods may be achieved through a combination of both instrumental and vocal repertoire.)
- A program of instrumental works (up to 15 minutes); a sonata movement is preferred.
- A solo piece OR an additional collaborative piece (no longer than 5 minutes).
- Candidates will be asked either to sight-read or to prepare a piece that will be sent one week prior to the audition.
The list of repertoire to be performed at the applicant’s audition must be submitted along with your application. Once an applicant’s audition program has been submitted, any changes must be approved by Dr. Christopher Fisher.
Additionally, applicants to collaborative piano must submit their complete solo, chamber, and collaborative repertoire lists, including songs, arias, sonatas/multi-movement works, concerti, selected scenes or complete operas. Please email these directly to Dr. Christopher Fisher (fisherc@ohio.edu).
For students applying for:
- Conducting (Choral, Orchestral, Wind) – Master of Music degree
- Music Therapy – Master of Music degree
- Music Education – Master of Music degree
Auditioning students will perform one composition from two of the following categories. Memorization is optional but preferable.
- Baroque
- Classical
- Contrasting selection from the 19th, 20th, or 21st century
Keyboard Graduate Assistantships
All applications and auditions must be received and completed by March 1 in order to receive full scholarship and graduate assistantship consideration. Auditioning students who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship must submit a dossier that contains the following materials:
- Resume or C.V.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Essay: Teaching Experience, Collaborative Piano Background, and Professional Aspirations
- Philosophy of Teaching (required for Performance/Pedagogy students; optional for other degree tracks)
- Strongly encouraged but not required: video showing teaching in group and/or private settings, or collaborative performance experience
All supplementary materials should be emailed to Keyboard Division chair, Dr. Christopher Fisher (fisherc@ohio.edu).
Audition Format
In-person auditions will take place on:
- January 23, 2027 (Graduate student priority registration date)
- February 6, 2027
- February 13, 2027
- February 15, 2027
After submitting an application, applicants can schedule their audition date and time by contacting Shellie Bailes at bailesm@ohio.edu. In-person auditions will include a live audition in front of the piano faculty. Additional information sessions, current student interactions, music building tours and a noontime luncheon also will be offered.
We also are happy to accommodate virtual auditions for those for whom travel and/or other extenuating circumstances prevent an in-person audition. Virtual auditions can take place either live via Yamaha Disklavier, or by submitting an audition recording via YouTube, Vimeo, or similar service. Please email Dr. Fisher directly for further details.
Contact Us
For additional information regarding keyboard studies at the Ohio University School of Music, please contact:
Dr. Christopher Fisher
Chair of the Keyboard Division
Email: fisherc@ohio.edu
Piano Performance & Pedagogy Experiences
The Ohio University Piano Performance & Pedagogy program is one of the country’s most active and highly regarded programs. Ohio University offers several degrees that emphasize piano pedagogy, including the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano performance and pedagogy. Students gain valuable teaching experience through their work with pre-college children, university students, and adults in both group and private learning environments. Group instruction takes place in one of two state-of-the-art piano laboratories that include Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos, SmartBoards, and other instructional technology. Our students participate in professional organizations including the Ohio University Collegiate Chapter of MTNA (recipient of the 2015, 2019 and, 2020 MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award) and the Southeast District of OhioMTA.
Ohio University Piano Pedagogy Seminar
Ohio University is home to the Ohio University Piano Pedagogy Seminar, an internationally known summer workshop that features renowned visiting artists and clinicians. The seminar provides piano teachers and students with valuable professional enrichment opportunities through a series of energizing workshops, presentations and performances. Participants have opportunities to share ideas and engage in dialogue with clinicians and with one another through round-table discussions and informal conversations. The event is held on the Athens campus of Ohio University in the scenic hills of southeast Ohio. For more information, visit: www.oupianopedagogyseminar.com.
Piano Pedagogy Resource Center
The Ohio University School of Music Piano Pedagogy Resource Center houses the latest in teaching materials and technology. The Center includes a collection of teaching methods and materials, standard intermediate and early advanced teaching repertoire, duet/ensemble literature, audio, video and software resources, educational tools, journals/periodicals, and a variety of books related to piano teaching and playing. The facility serves as a hub for research and exploration for our students, faculty, and regional piano teachers.
Athens Community Music School
The Athens Community Music School (ACMS) provides Ohio University pedagogy students with a wealth of teaching opportunities as well as the chance to observe qualified, seasoned teachers in action. ACMS offers a variety of piano-related programs including private instruction, adult group piano classes, and a group piano preparatory program for children. Our piano performance & pedagogy students teach as student-faculty through ACMS, gaining valuable teaching experience while providing a source of income.
Recent Internationally Renowned Piano Pedagogy Visiting Lecturers
- Nancy Bachus | Independent piano teacher and author
- Bruce Berr | Independent piano teacher, composer, author
- Marvin Blickenstaff | New School for Music Study
- Sylvia Coats | Wichita State University; author, Thinking as You Play
- Brenda Dillon | RMM specialist; author, Piano Fun for Adult Beginners
- Robert Duke | University of Texas-Austin; author, Intelligent Music Teaching
- Randall Faber | Co-author, Piano Adventures
- Barbara Fast | University of Oklahoma; co-author, iPractice: Technology in the 21st Century Music Practice Room
- Katherine Fisher | Co-author, Piano Safari Method, Co-Author, Piano Duet Repertoire
- Pete Jutras | University of Georgia
- Gayle Kowalchyk | Keyboard Editor, Alfred Music Company
- Julie Knerr | Co-author, Piano Safari Method
- E.L. Lancaster | Senior Vice-President and Keyboard Editor-in-Chief, Alfred Music Company
- Peter Mack | Cornish College of the Arts
- Jane Magrath | University of Oklahoma; author, The Pianist's Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature
- Christopher Norton | Internationally celebrated composer
- Robert Pace | Columbia University; author, Robert Pace Piano Method
- Mary Craig Powell | Independent piano teacher, author, and international Suzuki trainer
- Ken Renfrow | Bob Jones University, Composer and Alfred Music Company author
- Barbara Lister Sink | Salem College; author, Freeing the Caged Bird
- Deborah Rambo Sinn | Author, Playing Beyond the Notes: A Pianist’s Guide to Musical Interpretation
For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Fisher at fisherc@ohio.edu.
Collaborative Piano
The graduate collaborative piano program at the Ohio University School of Music offers intensive study at the graduate level to pianists who have specialized interests in piano/vocal and piano/instrumental repertoire. Through private instruction, coaching, chamber music and diction and literature classes, students gain greater familiarity with the standard repertoire and develop the musicianship skills required of advanced collaborative pianists. Our program is uniquely tailored to each individual, providing a personal level of attention and focus while developing the skills necessary for career advancement. Students will have the opportunity to be coached in a variety of collaborative projects by the internationally respected artist-teachers of the OU School of Music's divisions of keyboard, voice, strings, and winds, and to participate in master classes with renowned visiting guest artists. Competitive graduate assistantships are available, offering further collaborative experience in duo repertoire, large instrumental and vocal ensembles, and opera.
Our Faculty Expertise
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Anja Arko
Dr. Anja Arko, a Slovenian-born pianist, educator, and collaborative artist, serves on the piano faculty at Ohio University, where she teaches piano, piano literature, collaborative piano, and chamber music.
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Hanna Chung
A native of South Korea, Dr. Hanna Chung is a collaborative pianist whose artistry spans chamber music, vocal and instrumental accompanying, and large ensemble performance.
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Jieun Lee
Jieun Lee enjoys a multifaceted career as a soloist, collaborative pianist, educator, and trained organist.
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Sean Parsons
Sean Parsons is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator and leads the Ohio University Contemporary Music and Digital Instrument (CMDI) program.
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Tony Bruno
Tony Bruno holds a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Liberty University.