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Dr. Kate Boyd
If you’re looking for the LONG version of my bio, you can read my full professional bio, with information about me and my performance career on my professional site.
My name is Dr. Kate Boyd, and I am a tenured Full Professor of Piano on the faculty of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Throughout this time I have taught my own undergraduate and graduate students, as well as private students. I have also taught masterclasses and workshops all over the country and internationally.
I have also worked with many students in the summers: I taught at Kinhaven Music School for ten years, and taught at Interlochen Arts Camp for 11 years.
I have taught the piano for almost 30 years. I have worked with students of all ages and helped them move to the next level in their playing.
Some of my professional highlights include the two CDs I released (back when CDs were a thing), my solo recital at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, and conferences, countless chamber music concerts, solo performances and masterclasses that have taken me to many countries and states.
Performing in Carnegie Hall in 2017
When I was in school, I used to get frustrated that some people seemed to practice effortlessly and accomplish so much more than I did. For me, practicing more didn’t always mean I got more done.
This prompted me to do a lot of trial-and-error experimentation in my own practice. I recorded and analyzed my own practice sessions and all of my lessons, and I read avidly about learning theory, sports psychology and historical and modern approaches to piano technique.
Now, as a university professor who has worked with hundreds of students over the years, my goal is to help my students become empowered to make independent musical choices and to be able to diagnose and solve their own technical and musical problems.
I want to share my knowledge and experience and create a resource for people like you: aspiring pianists, developing pianists, and serious pianists who want to delve deeper and get better at what they do. I can help you learn to bring your playing and artistry to the next level. I don’t have all the answers but The Piano Prof is designed to be a community of people who can explore the questions with me.
Working with a student in a masterclass in Greece
   •   you listen critically to yourself and learn to give yourself honest feedback.
   •   you learn to apply skills learned in one context to another similar context.
   •   you are patient and compassionate with yourself as you progress.
   •   you encourage yourself and yet you know when to push yourself.
   •   you can approach technique from a “problem-solving” perspective and use your skills and knowledge to find an approach that works best for you.
   •   you are curious about the instrument, the literature and other performers and you seek them out to learn more.
Receiving Outstanding Professor of the Year Award at Butler University, with the Provost and the President
Now that I have told you about me, tell me about you! Feel free to get in touch with me and let me know what’s on your mind. What piano topics are you particularly interested in? What are you working on in your own playing? How can I help you?