| For those who want to pursue a career in piano, | | | | personally and academically. Some of Berklee's |
| the options for training are diverse. There are a | | | | famous grads include jazz pianist and singer Diana |
| number of quality schools available in the United | | | | Krall and jazz pianist Danilo Perez. |
| States and some abroad too. | | | | * Royal College: The Royal College of Music in |
| * Juilliard: The Juilliard School in New York has a | | | | London attracts both British and International |
| reputation as one of the best music schools in the | | | | students. Its rich history begins in 1882. It was |
| world. In addition to piano and other instruments, | | | | founded by the Prince of Wales (Edward VII) and |
| students can also focus on dance and drama. The | | | | is still closely associated with the British royal |
| institution was founded in 1905 by Dr. Frank | | | | family. Close to 50 nations are represented within |
| Damrosch. Damrosch was a musical prodigy and | | | | its student body. Most are drawn to Royal College |
| the godson of Hungarian pianist and composer | | | | because of its stellar reputation in the music |
| Franz Liszt. A New Yorker, Damrosch bemoaned | | | | industry around the world. It strives to turn out |
| the idea that American musicians had to leave the | | | | the world's most skilled musicians. It counts |
| U.S. for advanced training. | | | | among its alumni such famous graduates as |
| He began with a modest idea to accept 100 | | | | composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and pianist |
| students. Instead, he was overwhelmed by the | | | | Clifford Benson. |
| demand for spaces in his school. Thanks to | | | | * New England Conservatory: Located in Boston, |
| wealthy benefactor Augustus D. Juilliard, the | | | | the NEC is ranked in the top five music schools in |
| school increased its space and programs beginning | | | | the United States. One-on-one interaction |
| in 1919. Today the school seeks to provide high | | | | between individual students and faculty mentors is |
| caliber training and experience in music. Juilliard | | | | a central focus. This helps to ensure a high quality |
| prides itself in turning out some of the | | | | education that addresses the strengths of the |
| profession's best leaders. Jazz pianist Chick Corea | | | | individual. The NEC offers programs from the |
| is one of Juilliard's famous alumni. | | | | undergraduate to the doctoral level. Its |
| * The Eastman School of Music is a music | | | | Professional Piano Training Program is a unique |
| conservatory located in Rochester, New York. | | | | study major, offering intensive training for |
| The school is considered among the most | | | | career-driven piano students. Famous NEC alumni |
| prestigious music institutions in the world. Centrally | | | | include jazz pianists Fred Hersch and Cecil Taylor. |
| located downtown in the metropolitan city of | | | | * Curtis: The Curtis Institute of Music of |
| Rochester, New York, The University of | | | | Philadelphia sets itself apart from most every |
| Rochester's Eastman School of Music has been | | | | premier music school in the world. This is because |
| named the "Hottest Music School" in the 2008 | | | | every student receives a full tuition scholarship. |
| Kaplan/Newsweek "How to Get into College" | | | | Founder Mary Louise Curtis Bok envisioned an |
| guide. | | | | institution where finances were not a barrier. |
| * Berklee: The Berklee College of Music in Boston | | | | Potential students are instead judged solely on |
| focuses on training musicians in contemporary | | | | artistic merit and promise. Curtis typically admits |
| music. Students have 12 majors to choose from, | | | | fewer than 200 students per year. The school's |
| including songwriting, music therapy and more. | | | | philosophy states that students learn by "doing." |
| Berklee's programs offer very unique courses and | | | | To fulfill this mandate, it offers frequent |
| instructors. There are also numerous opportunities | | | | opportunities for students to perform, both within |
| for development outside of the classroom. | | | | in the community and abroad. It has a notable |
| Berklee College boasts the largest percentage of | | | | reputation for turning out exceptional professional |
| undergraduate students from outside the U.S. | | | | musicians. American pianists Jonathon Biss and |
| compared to all other American colleges and | | | | Richard Goode are two of Curtis' famous alumni. |
| universities. This diversity enriches students both | | | | |