While it is true that pianists are often in demand as collaborators with other musicians, young pianists rarely have the opportunity to collaborate with each other. UNCG’s Keyboard Studies is actively seeking ways to buck the status quo!
One way to do that is the event “Brews-Keys,” which is held toward the end of each semester at Borough Coffee at Double Oaks. The event allows Greensboro residents and UNCG pianists to interact in a casual environment, which encourages conversations with those who might not typically listen to a live piano performance.
In the spring 2025 semester, another layer was added to the experience. UNCG Keyboard students provided workshops and taught masterclasses to young students at the Music Academy of North Carolina (MANC), which culminated in a partnership performance by those students at the “Brews-Keys” event.
Dr. Annie Jeng, Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy, said that the MANC partnership “offered a way for young pianists to seek mentorship from students at UNCG and a way to form new bonds and friendships with other pianists. The casual environment allowed students to experience a different kind of performance opportunity outside of the formal recital hall.”
Dr. Jeng also reflected on how this past spring’s “Brews-Keys” was a particularly special performance: “The teachers, students, and families at MANC were extremely appreciative to have the opportunity to work with UNCG students and to perform alongside music majors on the day of the event. We had students from ages four to seventy performing! We had hundreds of people in attendance throughout the day; I even met a woman who was so inspired from the performances that she decided to sign up for piano lessons at MANC!”
UNCG School of Music students that were involved in the partnership and performance also had many positive things to say about their experience. Max Iapalucci reflected: “Getting to share such a beautiful space like the Double Oaks garden with talented young piano students of all ages was very special. It’s not very often that you get the opportunity to play the piano in an outdoor environment like that, and I’m so glad that not only did we get that opportunity, but that these students of all ages got it as well. I think it’s important for young pianists to get to see and spend time with pianists playing at the college level, to inspire them on their own journeys with music. Getting to hear three hours of live, diverse, piano repertoire was a special opportunity for everyone there, but especially for the MANC students who joined us at ‘Brews-Keys!’”
Similarly, Devon Shifflett, a UNCG School of Music graduate student, shared: “Working with MANC was such a positive and rewarding experience! Their students had the chance to perform side by side with UNCG students, which created a fun and supportive atmosphere for everyone involved. In the weeks before the concert, Dr. Annie Jeng, I, and other graduate pianists visited MANC to lead masterclasses for students. It was a great opportunity for us to strengthen our teaching and communication skills while helping younger pianists refine their performances and grow as musicians. Seeing their confidence grow and performing alongside them made the whole experience especially meaningful!”
Thomas Swenson, a piano teacher at MANC, also shared his appreciation and enthusiasm for the event: “Thank you so much to the UNCG Keyboard Studies students who contributed to the Group Piano Week at MANC! We really appreciated the opportunities that the UNCG students gave to our students. They provided wonderful tips and ideas in the masterclasses, and Devon Shifflett gave a great interactive presentation on the historical music periods. In addition, they played beautifully as our students created artwork to compliment the music. What a fantastic week it was!”
It’s clear by all parties involved that the hope is for this partnership to continue, developing even more opportunities for students at UNCG and MANC to work, learn, and grow alongside one another.
Story by Caitlyn Shrader
Photo credit: Annie Jeng
