Study Piano at South Dakota State University
- Take weekly individual lessons with performance faculty.
- Participate in weekly masterclasses.
- Perform and practice on Steinway, Fazioli and Boston grand pianos.
- Pursue a degree in Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Arts - music studies specialization, Bachelor of Arts - music entrepreneurship Specialization or a music minor.
- Participate in Jazz Ensembles, SDSU Civic Orchestra, Symphonic Band or a Choral Ensemble
- Compete in the SDSU Concerto Competition.
- Develop professional experience accompanying ensembles and soloists.
Scholarship Audition Information
About Mark Stevens
Mark Stevens enjoys a dynamic career as a solo pianist, collaborative artist, teacher and adjudicator. He serves as Director of Keyboard Studies and assistant professor of piano for SDSU's School of Performing Arts. Stevens’ experience as a pianist ranges from traditional piano repertoire to contemporary music, including living composers. As an advocate for 20th and 21st century music, he performs a diverse range of repertoire, with a special affinity for American composers. As a recitalist, he designs thematic programs that seek to tell stories through playing that has been described as "full of energy, wit and freshness." An active collaborative pianist, he routinely coaches and performs with vocalists, instrumentalists and chamber ensembles.
An active and dedicated teacher for two decades, Stevens has repeatedly been awarded for the quality of his instruction. His students have won more than 20 prizes in competitions including the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival, the Washington State Music Teachers Association’s State Recitalist Competition and the Northwest Bach, Viennese Classical, Romantic and Contemporary Piano Festivals. He is regularly invited to adjudicate and teach throughout the United States for universities, music academies and professional organizations including the MTNA, WSMTA, OMTA, WMEA and NFMC. His academic teaching experience includes piano performance, piano literature, piano pedagogy, music theory, aural skills, opera coaching, recreational class piano and keyboard skills. His principal teachers include Dean Kramer, David Riley, Peter Mack, Paul Barnes and Judith Schoepflin and he has performed in masterclasses with renowned musicians including Jon Nakamatsu and the Chiara String Quartet.
Our Instruments
SDSU has the largest collection of fine pianos in the state of South Dakota. Larson Memorial Concert Hall houses a Fazioli concert grand piano, hand-made in northern Italy and a 1932 restored Steinway concert grand. Founders Recital Hall features two Steinway grands and each piano studio has a Steinway grand for lessons. All practice rooms have newer Boston, Yamaha and Kawai grand or upright pianos.
