This workshop in Collaborative Piano will focus on two pianists working together on Piano Four Hand repertoire.  Duet playing is one of the purest forms of chamber music where each player of a chamber piece has a different part, and each part is of equal importance.

There are many benefits of playing in chamber ensembles, in particular: musical and listening skills; personal musical development; and social connections and communications skills. Studying Collaborative Piano creates more complete and enlightened musicians, regardless of age. Students will engage in intensive rehearsals, coached by expert practitioners in lessons and master classes, concluding in live performances.

Ensemble work is an important element in the development of listening skills, group music making, and coordination and leadership skills. Young musicians learn the skills of sight-reading and ensemble playing as they explore the chamber music literature. Students will learn how to listen to themselves and their partner in order to create a unified and well-blended performance.

It requires sensitive listening to follow the musical nuances of an ensemble. Playing duets teaches the student to lead and follow well. Skills focused on will include; breathing, timing, following, and communicating ideas; rhythmic accuracy and dynamic sound balance; active listening and proactive music making; being flexible and expressive in collaborative settings; acquiring a greater knowledge and appreciation of the keyboard and chamber repertoire; learning how to lead, follow, blend sound, conduct preparatory beats, breathe together, and use non-verbal gestures; learning hos to prepare a collaborative public performance in a short time.

The repertoire for Piano Four Hands works will include those of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Clementi, Dvorak, as well as transcriptions from the orchestral repertoire.  Through daily study in performance classes and private coaching, students will gain greater familiarity with the standard Four Hand repertoire and develop the skills necessary for a deeper musical understanding, which they will transfer to their own solo playing. And lets not forget that students working together generally results in fun experiences and positive social connections.