“ To me, music is about healing and transformation. People want to be connected to one another—and music can offer that connection without language, without words. Students deserve support and empathy, not competition. That’s part of what makes Longy a great place to grow as a person and a musician, as we help students realize their potential to change the world. ”
— Eri Nakamura
“I remember moments in my own education when the way I saw things suddenly completely changed. It wasn’t because I got new information on how to play or practice. Instead, I learned from the glow of the atmosphere, my teachers’ love of music, and their inspiration.”
— Andrius Zlabys
Donald Berman ‡, chair
Rieko Aizawa ‡
Wayman Chin ‡
Libor Dudas
Gila Goldstein ‡
Renana Gutman ‡
Hugh Hinton ‡
Brian Moll ‡
Eri Nakamura †
Matt Savage †
Esther Ning Yau ‡
Andrius Zlabys
Noriko Yasuda*
Karen Zorn, President
‡ piano and collaborative piano faculty
† collaborative piano faculty
* no private studio
“Between my undergrad and grad auditions, I have seen many different musical environments. I do not seek just another place that will give me another degree. I seek a place where I can truly be nurtured while exploring my areas of passion. Longy left a deep impression through the kind and caring faculty and students I have met. All I can say to other prospective students is: this school offers a completely unique environment and community that you must experience to fully understand. Give it a shot!”
— Clara Liera
Working with a roster of active performers on the faculty, students develop their artistry as soloists and chamber musicians with private studio instruction at its core. A weekly piano seminar expands approaches to practicing, interpretation, and programming. Students focus on technique and performance practice but also how to create compelling and innovative programs that engage a variety of audiences. Students will also have the opportunity to work with partners like Horszowski Trio, Musicians from Marlboro, and the New Gallery Concert Series.
Course HIGHLIGHTS
All-Embracing: Solo and Chamber Music from 1972-2022
Engaging with new music is an essential skill for all musicians. Survey music written in the last fifty years, which charted a path towards more inclusive and eclectic music-making and drew inspiration from far outside the mainstream of the Western Classical genre.
Diverse and Eclectic Collaborative Skills
Step outside of classical accompanying and bolster your collaborative skills in musical theatre, pop, rhythm and blues, gospel, acapella and choir rep, dance studio classes, and other varied genres.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Nadia Shpachenko UD ’97 Piano Performance
Concert Pianist. Professor of Music, Cal Poly Pomona University 2020 Grammy winner for her recording The Poetry of Places as well as multiple Grammy nominations. “One of today’s foremost promoters of contemporary music.”—Textura Magazine
Studio Lessons: Collaboration with a faculty mentor is the cornerstone of conservatory education at Longy. Together you will explore your unique artistic and professional goals while expanding technical and musical insight.
Masterclasses and Seminars: Through workshops, masterclasses, discussions, and presentation, frequent seminars offer insight regarding interpretation, repertoire, analysis, and performance practice. Recent guests have included Irma Vallecillo, Andreas Klein, Nelita True, and Anne Koscielny. Through a special partnership with Celebrity Series of Boston, emerging artists in its Debut Series present exclusive workshops and masterclasses with Longy students throughout the year.
Chamber Music: Georges Longy’s belief in the power of collaboration inspires the central role of chamber music in our conservatory. You will work closely with faculty coaches every semester and will explore ensemble playing through coursework, informal readings, and community outreach.
Pedagogy: We believe that teaching should be a form of heightened, enlivened communication. Rather than focusing solely on acquiring pedagogical skills, we seek to draw out your latent expertise and help you communicate authentically. Students are placed in partnering schools and youth music organizations for a teaching practicum.
Accompanying: All piano majors engage in assigned accompanying to hone their collaborative skills with singers and instrumentalists. Some graduate pianists also have additional accompanying assistantships where they can further refine their abilities. Additional coursework explores the standard repertoire of instrumental and vocal literature.
Teaching Artist Program: Required of all students, this two-semester program includes active learning experiences, discussions, foundational readings, and interactive presentations. It culminates in student-designed and student-led musical projects in various community venues throughout the Greater Boston area.
“I want the world to know what music can do and why musicians devote so much time and effort to it, as music is a language that expresses the things that words cannot. This power really shines when you allow music to move you and tell you something new.”
— Samuel Durand
