Boston Conservatory at Berklee Adds Two New Degree Programs in Collaborative Piano

Boston Conservatory at Berklee Adds Two New Degree Programs in Collaborative Piano Prioritizing hands-on work with fellow performing artists, the programs prepare pianists for careers in musical partnership.

By

Sarah Godcher Murphy

October 1, 2025

Dave Green

Boston Conservatory at Berklee begins the 2025-2026 academic year with two new advanced-degree programs in collaborative piano that emphasize real-world performance skills and career readiness. The new professional studies certificate (PSC) and graduate performance diploma (GPD) both provide rich practical experience without the academic coursework required of a complete masters degree, enabling graduates to quickly begin working in the field as accompanists, music coaches, and cocreators.

The PSC program is designed to be completed in one academic year, and the GPD program in two years. Both programs are intended for pianists who already hold a bachelors degree and seek additional training and hands-on professional experience in the many facets of musical collaboration: creating an operative score in partnership with conductors and musical directors, rehearsing with soloists as they prepare for full-orchestra performances, creatively partnering with vocalists and instrumentalists in performance, and supporting dance and musical theater productions from start to finish.

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With approximately 700 performances on campus each year, Boston Conservatory's collaborative pianists benefit from working with fellow students throughout all phases of performing arts creation, from the rehearsal studio to the stage. The new programs are designed to expose pianists to a wide range of repertoire, spanning opera, art song, musical theater, chamber music, symphonic works, and brand new, original compositions by students, faculty, and visiting artists.

Our new GPD and PSC in Collaborative Piano are both wonderful opportunities for students to delve deeply into the art of collaborative piano repertoire and to focus on performing and playing with outstanding fellow musicians at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, says Jessica Chow Shinn, associate professor of collaborative piano.

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