Dr. Ivan Hurd

Stone Oak and North West

Piano
Ages 5+, Beginner to Advanced

Bachelor of Music, University of Iowa
Master of Music, Eastern Michigan University
Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Oklahoma

Teaching Philosophy

When working with students, my goals as a piano teacher are simple: I hope to develop healthy musicians, and to instill a lifelong love for music.  I work to create a lesson environment that allows the learning experience to be both productive and enjoyable. I aim to work with the individual goals of each student, and take into consideration their potential for growth. Students are encouraged to set high goals that are also within their grasp.

I strive to develop healthy technique within my students and encourage practice habits that avoid injury. Students gain confidence in their playing as they prepare for recitals and competitions. Lessons are not only fun, but high musical standards are maintained by paying close attention to pedaling, touch, articulation, phrasing, dynamics, and interpretation. These tools allow each student to add their own personal touch to their performance.

With each lesson, I hope to leave the student with a valuable learning experience.  I want them to feel that they are making progress, making new discoveries, and with a little luck, develop a passion for lifelong learning and music making.

Biography

Dr. Ivan Hurd currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Coordinator of Class Piano at the University of Texas at San Antonio where he teaches piano pedagogy, piano literature, class piano, applied piano lessons, and coordinates the class piano program.  He holds piano performance degrees from Eastern Michigan University (M.M.) and the University of Iowa (B.M.), and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma.  His major teachers include Dr. Jane Magrath, Dr. Barbara Fast, Dr. Joel Schoenhals, and Dr. Réne Lecuona.

In summer 2013, Ivan attended the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria, where he performed in the famed Haydnsaal at the Esterházy Palace.  Ivan has performed in master classes for pianists such as Alan Chow, Theresa Bogard, and Read Gainsford.  Ivan was one of ten pianists in the state of Michigan selected to compete for the Rosamond P. Haeberle Memorial Piano Award. As a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, Ivan received the Provost Certificate of Distinction for Outstanding Graduate Assistant Teaching for two consecutive years.

Ivan has presented at workshops at national conferences such as MTNA, GP3 and NCKP in Illinois, Florida, New Mexico, Nevada and Ohio. In 2019, Ivan presented at the CFMTA conference in Winnipeg, Canada. He has also served as co-chair for the planning committee of the Young Professionals Track for the 2016 MTNA National Conference, and currently serves on the Collegiate Pedagogy Committee for NCKP. When he is not teaching or performing, he enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.