Piano & Keyboard Studies
The VSU Keyboard Studio is built on trust and mutual respect, and where the core values of community, civility, integrity, and citizenship are upheld at the highest level.

Performance opportunities for pianists include solo and chamber music recitals, master classes with guest artists, ensemble performances, weekly studio class, community outreach performances, studio recitals, VSU Piano and Strings Day, and the VSO Concerto Competition. Keyboard students are actively involved as collegiate members of Music Teachers National Association and Georgia Music Teachers Association, and are frequent presenters at the state conference.

Performances take place in one of two great locations. Our beautiful newly renovated Powell Recital Hall which seats 200, and Whitehead Auditorium which seats 740.
Over the summer of 2021, VSU spent over a half a million dollars on new pianos. In 2024 after the devastating damage of Hurricane Helene, $1.2 million dollars were spent to replace 29 damaged pianos with new ones. VSU now maintains a fleet of 58 acoustic pianos, 24 digital pianos, two harpsichords, and one organ. Three New York Steinway Concert Grands and a Yamaha Concert Grand grace our performance stages. Our ensemble practice rooms are equipped with Steinway, Yamaha, and Kawai grand pianos.
At VSU, there are scholarships and graduate assistantships available for keyboard majors including the Music Scholarship Alliance and the Sharp Smith Piano Endowment Fund.
The VSU Department of Music offers a personalized, nurturing and rigorous environment for piano majors. VSU graduates have gone on to fulfilling careers as performers, teachers, church musicians, accompanists, and patrons of the fine arts.
Faculty
- Joshua Pifer: Associate Professor of Piano and Piano Area Head (jkpifer@valdosta.edu)
- Beibei Lin: Assistant Professor of Piano (zblin@valdosta.edu) and Interim Associate Dean, College of the Arts
- Maila Springfield: Senior Lecturer (mlspring@valdosta.edu) and Coordinator of Collaborative Piano
- Gracia Velasquez: Part-time Instructor of Piano (gmvelasquez@valdosta.edu)
Collaborative Piano Staff
- Dr. Lyle Indegaard
- Valerie Holton Smith
- Sue Ellen Rumstay
- Caitlin Moore
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Auditions and Degree Information
Notable Recent Alumni Achievements
Department of Music
- 1500 N. Patterson St. Valdosta, Georgia 31698
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Mailing Address
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA 31698 - Phone: 229.333.5804
Monday - Friday
8:00AM - 5:00PM