A message from Tony Caramia, Coordinator of the Class Piano Program and Professor of Piano
Congratulations to these PCL TAs:
Steven Dong, a DMA piano student from the studio of Alan Chow, won First Prize in the Lewisville Lake Symphony International Piano Competition held at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, on March 7. In addition to a cash prize, he will perform Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 1 with the Lewisville Lake Symphony on October 9, 2026, for the opening concert of their 2026-27 season.
Xinyi Zeng (DMA 2) and Xinyue Scarlett Zheng (DMA 1) who participated in the MTNA National Conference in Chicago, IL. Their presentation–entitled How We Utilize Technology at Eastman to Improve the Class Piano Experience–took place on Monday, March 23. It demonstrated innovative teaching strategies and technology-assisted approaches that promote efficient learning and effective skill development in group piano classes, through the use of Piano Marvel©, an app installed at the beginning of the Fall 2025 school year in our Piano Lab.
Here is a preview of their presentation.
To all perspective and current Piano Class students:
Our piano lab uses the system–Yamaha MLC-200 Music Lab Controller to coordinate instruction. The piano lab (room 443) has 14 keyboards, a large touch-screen monitor, with overhead and side cameras.
We are using the online program called Piano Marvel to improve the sight-reading skills of all PCL students.
NOTE: Students bring a laptop or iPad to class.
If you wish to test out of your current PCL level, you can take a proficiency test. If you successfully pass this in-person playing exam, you will be given credit on your transcript (but of course, no grade).
This link: Proficiency Tests has the proficiency tests for all levels.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact me: tcaramia@esm.rochester.edu
For a view of the two labs used at Eastman, as well as short clips from previous piano classes, click on Piano Fun at Eastman
site updated 4/2/26