Music Skill Specialist
HCD Music
Hartt Community Divisionpshih@hartford.edu 860.523.0183 Fuller Building
Education
Doctor of Musical Arts, The Hartt School, University of Hartford
Master of Music, Boston University
Bachelor of Piano Performance, Taipei National University of the Arts
Pianist Pi-Hsun Shih /ˈpē-shun ˈshē / 施碧薫, Doctor of Musical Arts, was born in Taichung, Taiwan. She has been teaching at the Hartt School Community Division since 2000. She has also taught at Mount Holyoke College, Wesleyan University, and Trinity College. Pi-Hsun is a Steinway Teacher and Educational Partner.
Her piano performance was described by the Hartford Courant as “ searing precision…agile ease and brilliant flashes of panache…” She has been a soloist with the Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra, and The Hartt School Symphony Orchestra. She was the pianist of the Hartford-based New World Trio for more than a decade. She frequently collaborates with the Russian American cellist Tanya Anisimova on the East Coast. Their recordings can be heard on Apple Music and Spotify. Pi-Hsun has a series of short videos on her YouTube Channel that portray new aspects of life as a person, a performer, and a teacher. She hopes through these thought experiments and video technology, she will explore new paths and possibilities for classical music and bring the community closer together.
As a piano teacher, I believe every student is unique. My responsibility is to help students find their individuality and to grow their wisdom along with music making. This goal is achievable through orienting students to a series of structural disciplines. These disciplines are applicable and will prepare them to function effectively in the musical world.
I strongly believe that preparation is an essential key to success. My teaching philosophy centers on planning and preparing my students mentally and physically for performances. I believe this teaching philosophy will train students to have the right attitude to commit to the music they are making.