<p>How is the undergraduate piano program at Yale? I heard great things about their graduate program, but I wouldn't like to be stuck with a Yale Grad. student as an undergraduate. Any educated opinions/experiences? </p>
<p>If you have any opinions/experiences about the undergraduate piano departments at any of the other Ivies, that would be appreaciated as well.</p>
<p>Yale does not offer an undergrad performance major. The Music BA is liberal arts focused, in theory and composition, and I believe history. There is a 5 year BA/MM that does allow completion of a performance masters. </p>
<p>It happens occasionally, but few undergrad musicians are allowed/accepted to study with Yale SOM applied instructors. The norm is undergrad lessons with a grad assistant. </p>
<p>I'd suggest a thorough reading of Yale's undergrad music program and the Yale SOM webpages.</p>
<p>Look for old threads on this subject; there are several.
I looked into the Yale undergrad program for pianists, and found a list of all the students taking lessons and who their teachers were. Lots of students were on the list, which shows that there are a lot of musicians at Yale, but virtually all were taught by graduate students -- not a one was listed as having Claude Frank or any of the other top professors. The auditions are in the fall, when you get there, so that means that most likely you would not know in advance. There is also apparently a shortage of practice rooms. There is a BA/MM program at Yale, beginning in senior year (you audition in junior year); at that point, perhaps it would be possible.
Harvard has a "piano society" that suggests a somewhat vibrant piano culture, though the website is not updated very often. There are students there who take lessons at NEC, but at substantial additional cost over Harvard tuition, even in the Harvard/NEC program. Robert Levin is on the Harvard faculty; sometimes he teaches Harvard students. Otherwise it is not a performance-oriented program; they famously say "At Harvard, music should be seen and not heard." There have been several top pianists there, though. And the occasional YoYoMa.
Columbia-Juilliard is nearly impossible; tiny program, maybe a couple students a year, and maybe no pianists in a particular year -- terrible lack of practice rooms. If you are admitted to both but not the Columbia-Juilliard program, you are on your own to arrange for a teacher. Columbia pays for lessons, though, from a list of adjuncts. Their website is misleading: it is not true that if you are accepted at both, you get free lessons at Juilliard. You must be accepted to both AND ALSO to the Columbia-Juilliard program. And don't expect them even to tell you whether you got into the program!<br>
Princeton pays for lessons and has a list of piano teachers, most of whom seem to have studied with Gil Kalish. Some may go into NYC for lessons, but it is a long way to go, especially in winter, would cost a fair amount, and with Princeton course-work, especially the junior and senior theses, it would appear nigh on impossible to keep it up. In junior year, you can opt for a Certificate in Performance program, which is sort of like a minor; they offer these certificates in many fields. You do a recital, etc.</p>
<p>Itzhak Perlman's daughter (a pianist) went to Brown. Don't know her teacher. You have to research each individual school for teachers willing to take on an undergrad. Some will take on one at a time (so you wait until their undergrad graduates before you can take lessons with them). Harvard is surrounded by music schools and amazing piano teachers (as is Columbia). You really won't have a problem finding a teacher. There are a few Princeton kids who go to NYC for lessons. Ithaca has a great music school (again I don't know the piano scene). Best thing to do is research and try to meet with teachers in advance. Good luck!</p>