Whether you’ve played piano for years or are just getting started, Merit’s celebrated faculty is here to help you unlock your full musical potential. Our students have used their time at Merit to prepare for acceptance to some of the country’s best music conservatories, received international recognition for their talent, pursued careers as teaching artists and performers, and gained the confidence to chase their dreams in music and beyond.
Programs for musicians of all levels
Watch Merit PIANO students in action!
Each year, Merit pianists of all ages come together to perform in concerts at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center, venues throughout Chicago, and online.
Past performances include concerts at Symphony Center, Grant Park Music Festival, and the Economic Club of Chicago. Some of our students have even performed at Carnegie Hall!
Chicago’s finest piano faculty
“Regardless of a piano student’s goals in music, a thorough grounding in the basics provides a strong musical foundation for any path. More than just the rudiments of scales, rhythm, harmony we try to teach our piano students the benefits of diligence, practice, and persistence. Plus, scientific studies have proven that a music education has many indirect and intangible benefits and rewards, regardless of a student’s chosen future pathway in life.”
– Dr. Elena Doubovitskaya
Piano Department Chair
Our celebrated teaching artists hail from across the globe and have degrees from some of the world’s most prestigious conservatories and universities. Beyond their teaching at Merit, our Piano faculty have extensive solo and collaborative piano careers working extensively throughout the city of Chicago and internationally. Committed to helping Merit students succeed in music and in life, our Piano faculty provides students with the immersive training, feedback, and mentorship they need to learn and grow.