Welcome to the UT Collaborative Piano Studio!
If you enjoy making music with others, you’ll feel right at home in the Collaborative Piano Studio at the University of Tennessee. Known affectionately as the “sociable pianists,” our students gain hands-on experience in chamber music, opera, vocal and instrumental collaboration, coaching, and more.
Studio Overview
The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music offers both the Master of Music in Collaborative Piano and an Artist Certificate, designed for highly accomplished pianists pursuing careers as collaborative artists, opera repetiteurs, coaches, and chamber musicians. While all students engage in both vocal and instrumental repertoire, the curriculum is flexible and tailored to your individual career goals.
Meet the Faculty & Staff Pianists
Professor Kevin Class
Born in Belgium, pianist and conductor Kevin Class studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, as well as in the U.S and Canada. As a pianist, teachers have included Romeo Fracalanza, Ralph Votapek, Gyorgy Sebok and Daniel Blumenthal. In 1997, the Belgian government named Class a Fellow of the Flemish Community in recognition both of his performances of the complete Piano Sonatas of Mozart and Schubert, and for his contributions to the performance and promotion of contemporary music, with Jan-Marisse Huizing describing him as “an important ambassador for today’s composers”.
Professor Eileen Downey
Eileen Downey is currently the Teaching Professor of Collaborative Piano and Vocal Coach at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she is a vocal coach and collaborative pianist, as well as a rehearsal pianist for Knoxville Opera. In January of 2021, she served as Music Director for An Opera for Terezín, an international experimental production of Liliane Atlan’s play involving groups from Israel, France, and the United States.
Staff Pianists
- Erin Cullman
- Emi Kagawa, DMA
- Dustin Lin
- Wei-Chu Bernadette Lo, DMA
- Kate Wogoman
Performance & Learning Opportunities
Students in the Collaborative Piano Studio benefit from:
- Weekly private lessons customized to your artistic goals
- Weekly studio (solo) classes featuring technique work, guest masterclasses, and performance opportunities
- Close collaboration with UT Opera Theatre
- Chamber music, duo partnerships, and recital performances across the College of Music
- Faculty and guest artist coaching
Interested in the UT Collaborative Piano Studio?
Learn How To Apply
Admission to the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music is a multi-step process that includes applying to the University of Tennessee and to our college. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music offers a number of graduate teaching assistantships each academic year.
Assistantships carry a waiver of the university tuition, pays for mandatory university fees, medical coverage, and carries a monthly stipend.