Andrew Willis: Piano Masterclass

Explore the rich sound world of early keyboard music with renowned performer and scholar Andrew Willis, Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and one of the nation's leading specialists in historical performance. Willis is internationally respected for his mastery of the fortepiano and harpsichord, bringing authenticity, nuance, and deep scholarly insight to music of the 17th and 18th centuries.

In this illuminating masterclass, Willis guides student performers through the stylistic language of composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and early Beethoven-highlighting the expressive gestures, articulation practices, and improvisatory traditions that animated their music. His approach blends rigorous historical knowledge with a performer's instinct for color, pacing, and rhetorical clarity, offering a vivid look at how early keyboard works come alive when played with period-informed technique.

For musicians, historians, and curious listeners alike, this session offers a rare opportunity to watch an expert illuminate the artistry behind the Classical style. Willis's teaching is known for its clarity, generosity, and depth, making this masterclass as engaging for the audience as it is transformative for the students on stage.

Free and open to the public. All are welcome.