Collaborative Piano Studies at the University of Manitoba

Today's guest post is by Laura Loewen, who along with Judy Kehler Siebert, runs the collaborative piano program at the University of Manitoba.  In addition, Laura teaches at the Vancouver International Song Festival, Opera Nuova, and Winnipeg's Contemporary Opera Lab. At the University of Minnesota she received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, studying with Margo Garret and Karl Paulnack.


Collaborative Piano at the University of Manitoba is an exciting and intensive program of study with equal emphasis on instrumental and vocal accompanying. The U of M's Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music provides an intimate and supportive environment where collaboration is encouraged. Performing opportunities for students of collaborative piano are numerous, both within the University and in the larger community.

We offer our students multi-faceted approaches to learning. Collaborative students regularly participate in many of the University's performance ensembles, including Opera Theatre, U of M Symphony Orchestra, U of M Wind Ensemble, and chamber groups. In addition to playing in vocal and instrumental studios and masterclasses, they receive two weekly lessons with collaborative piano professors who are active performers in their fields and passionate about sharing their love for ensemble music and collaboration. Dr. Judy Kehler-Siebert runs the Instrumental/Piano area and is a member of the piano faculty, and Dr Laura Loewen, vocal coach and diction specialist, heads up the Vocal/Piano area. We encourage students to continue their solo piano studies if they wish.

Collaborative programs are available at the Post-Baccalaureate and Masters' levels. Funding opportunities are available through the Faculty of Music and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. For full information on the collaborative piano program, faculty, and audition requirements, please visit our website at:

music.umanitoba.ca/collab-piano