Rob Keiser
Piano Department Chair
Staff Accompanist
LSM Artist Series Coordinator
Mr. Rob Keiser received his Bachelors in Music in piano performance from Ithaca College, winning the prestigious Mary Hayes North Piano Competition Award in 2008. He received his Masters of Arts in piano performance form Hunter College, CUNY, winning their coveted concerto competition in 2012 for his performance of Liszt’s Totentanz. Mr. Keiser is busy as a performer in New York and New Jersey, most recently playing several recitals at the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan, where he is studying to receive his Doctorate degree.
He has extensive experience collaborating with vocalists and instrumentalists, most recently performing a recital with a vocalist at the CUNY Graduate Center. Mr. Keiser is currently teaching as an adjunct lecturer at Hunter College, where he teaches several theory, piano, and musicianship classes, along with private students. Mr. Keiser has been the musical director in several off-Broadway shows and continues to partner many vocalists and instrumentalists as collaborative pianist. Summer festival appearances include Italy’s Adriatic Chamber Music Festival in 2009 and the Brevard Music Festival in 2010. He is a student of Geoffrey Burleson at the Graduate Center.
“I believe music is simply a language through which we express our deepest thoughts and emotions. Through my teaching I make sure to maintain, above all else, the individuality of the student. When playing music the performer must not only tell the composer’s story, but also must tell his or her own story. I try to get to know my students on a personal level, along with challenging them musically and intellectually. I encourage each student to consciously think about the musical choices they make, from the finest detail to the overall picture. When teaching young students I try to encourage a technique that will help them accomplish everything possible in their playing when they become advanced.”