SVSU Piano Curriculum
SVSU Department of Music Mission
The Department of Music provides students the opportunity to grow as musicians, expand their expressive palette, and gain the tools to transform the world around them through the power of music. The Department also serves as a cultural center for the region, building connections between SVSU and the surrounding communities. For more information about the Department of Music’s Vision, Core Values, Strategic Goals, please visit: https://www.svsu.edu/musicdepartment/missionvisionsvaluesandgoals/
SVSU Piano Studio Focus:
At SVSU, pedagogy, performance, and scholarship are deeply interconnected and inseparable. Piano studies emphasize core fundamental skills such as sight-reading, ear training, and music theory, alongside music literature, pedagogy, and performance. This comprehensive training aims to develop well-rounded musicians who are well-prepared for advanced education and competitive opportunities in the job market.
SVSU Piano Major Instructor: Dr. Chia-Ying Chan *
Dr. Chan’s Teaching Philosophy
Dr. Chan believes that piano lessons provide more than the development of professional skills—they also instill invaluable life lessons such as commitment, collaboration, responsibility, discipline, determination, and dedication. Her primary goal is to adapt her teaching to each student’s unique needs and aspirations, inspiring them to express their ideas, unleash their imagination, and cultivate their distinctive musical voice through a deep understanding of the literature and theory.
SVSU Degree Programs:
Majors
- Music Education Major (B. A.)
- Music Major (B. A.)
Minors
- Music Minor
- Musical Theatre Minor for Music Majors
Each student selects a primary instrument to focus on during their program of study. Those who choose piano will study under Dr. Chan.
Piano Curriculum:
One-on-one Piano lesson
Studio Class
Piano Ensemble/ Chamber Music
Advanced Keyboard Skill Class
Independent Study:
Piano Literature
Piano Pedagogy
Other requirements:
Jury
Piano Day *
Studio Recital
Optional Events
Music Majors in Recital
Solo Recital
Joint Recital
Outreach Concert in Michigan area
MMMTA KeyboardFest
MTNA Conference
Other required classes:
Aural Skills
Music Theory
Musical Analysis
Music History
Other opportunities:
Conducting
Wind ensemble
Jazz ensemble
Choir
Pit Orchestra
Scholarship opportunities:
Distinctive Program in Music Scholarships
Rhea Miller Scholarships in Music
Patsy Hill Schwartz Scholarship
James and Rosemary Hill Scholarship
Jerry and Terry Drake Endowed Scholarship
Mary H. Anderson Endowed Chamber Music Scholarship
Spatz Endowment for the Performing Arts Scholarship
For more information, please visit: https://www.svsu.edu/musicdepartment/
For any questions, please contact:
Department of Music: music@svsu.edu | 989-964-4159
Department Chair, Dr. Norman Wika: nwika@svsu.edu
Piano Faculty, Chia-Ying Chan: cchan@svsu.edu
*Piano Day:
Piano Day is an annual event dedicated to inspiring young pianists in our community and expanding their musical knowledge through masterclasses, lectures, and recitals. Piano majors are required to participate in the lectures and performances and have the opportunity to perform for world-class pianists during masterclasses.
The event is hosted by Dr. Chan and features distinguished guest artists. Past guest artists have included:
- Wan-Ching Chang (Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp) 2021
- David Brickle (Milligan University) 2022
- Catherine McMichael (Award-winning composer, arranger, and performer) 2022
- Amy Gustafson (Yamaha Artist, Gijón International Piano Festival, Millersville University) 2023
- Sam Gingher (East Carolina University) 2023
- Robert McDonald (Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music) 2024
This unique event provides an enriching experience for students to connect with and learn from accomplished professionals in the field.
*Dr. Chan’s Biography:
Pianist Chia-Ying Chan, originally from Taiwan, brings passion, vibrancy, sensitivity, and creativity to her interpretations of classical music. She is an active soloist and chamber pianist, having performed across Taiwan, America, and Europe.
Chan has won top prizes in national and international competitions, with her playing featured on radio stations such as The Grand FM 101 (Canada), WILL FM 90.9 (USA), and Radio Taiwan International AM 1557 (Taiwan). Recent notable performances include appearances with the Sinfonia da Camera, conducted by Ian Hobson, the 21st Century Piano Commission Recital at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and a solo recital at the Piano Technicians Guild conference in summer 2024. Her debut solo album on the Centaur Records label has received praise from the Classical Music Sentinel, describing her as “…a highly sensitive artist… a musician to watch and follow…”.
As an active chamber and collaborative pianist, Chan performs nationally and internationally at conferences, festivals, and prestigious venues. She is a co-founder of the Amosa Duo with clarinetist Dr. Gary June, and they have performed at various universities in the U.S., the PianoForte Foundation in Chicago, and the National Recital Hall in Taipei, Taiwan. In 2023, she performed with pianist Dr. David Brickle as part of the Brickle & Chan Piano Duo, touring the Midwest. Their engagements included piano duet recitals at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in summer 2023, Indiana University Bloomington in fall 2023, Oakland University in fall 2024, and Saint Meinrad Archabbey in spring 2025.
Chan currently serves on the faculty at Saginaw Valley State University. She has been invited to give masterclasses in the United States and Taiwan and to provide a webinar series in China. Additionally, she serves as vice-president of the World Piano Teacher Association USA-Illinois and co-chair of the Chambana International Music Competition. Active as a competition adjudicator, she has served on the jury for the Sinfonia da Camera Concerto Competition (Youth Category), the Vivace International Piano Competition, the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival (Bloomington District), and others. During the summer, she serves on the faculty of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. Her students, both at the college and pre-college levels, have won numerous national and international competitions, including the Clara Rolland Piano Competition and the Steinway International Junior Piano Competition. Additionally, her students have been admitted to competitive universities and institutions, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Beijing Normal University, Western Illinois University, and Interlochen Arts Academy.
Chan received both her Artist Diploma and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under the guidance of Timothy Ehlen, where she also served as the piano teaching assistant. Her other principal mentors include Paul Schenly and Kathryn Brown at the Cleveland Institute of Music for her Master of Music, and Ching-Jen Wu at the National University of Tainan, Taiwan for her Bachelor of Music. She has also worked with many world-renowned masters such as Robert McDonald, John Perry, Julian Martin, Vladimir Feltsman, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, John O’Connor, and others.
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