Fellowship Opportunities

Godwin Friesen wears a top hat to share the story of early Milwaukee settlers and their love of music from the time, pop tunes, Mozart, and Beethoven. Excited students at Clement School were delighted to share with us that history and music can be a lot of fun.

PIANOARTS FELLOWS.

Fellowship Opportunities.

 

Fellow John Schindler and MPS Burdick School students Youth Concert at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Fellow John Schindler performs a Youth Concert for MPS Burdick School students at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

 

Fellowships are awarded to PianoArtists to return to Milwaukee to step into the professional world. Fellows receive stipends with all expenses paid. Through rehearsals and performances with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra musicians and professionals from theater, dance, and opera, fellows develop programs that highlights arts integration and collaboration. Participating in “on-the-job” classes and “on-site” presentations during the Artist Training Program, they hone new skills in performing for diverse audience. The Artist Training program is administered by the PianoArts artistic team and includes PianoArts alumni.

“I can’t thank you enough for all of your help throughout my career. I hope all of the younger winners realize how important and what an impact their PianoArts training will have on their careers!” – Jacob Ertl, Associate Professor of Piano, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies, and Program Director of Music Performance –Nazareth College.

Depending on school and performance schedules, fellows are expected to live in Milwaukee for approximately two weeks. We recommend two week sessions for three fellowship years. Fellows may be invited to continue in partnership with PianoArts throughout their school years. Alums often return to Milwaukee as Artists-in-Residence. 

Fellows participating for more than two school years have opportunities to create new programs. One very successful elementary school program was created by Fellow Jacob Ertl– Music Explorers, a comprehensive music education program that now reaches thousands of Wisconsin youth every season. Another program, WaterWorks, integrated music, fresh water science, and visual art, culminating in a spectacular concert at Discovery World Museum of Science and Industry featuring a PianoArtist, percussionists, vocalists, cellists, and a soundscape from the natural world. 

During the Artist Training program, fellows:

  • Rehearse and perform with professional 
    musicians playing a variety of instruments, 
    and/or actors, dancers, and vocalists
  • Perform in concert halls and unique spaces
  • Perform in schools and community centers
  • Gain insights into performing on radio and television
  • Have sessions with stage directors
  • Give interviews
  • Coach in chamber music programs
  • Learn effective techniques in speaking to audiences
  • Learn techniques in developing programs with diversity
  • Plan, create, and perform original programs