Pianists, Pressures, and Partnerships: Considering the Collaborative Pianist in Higher Education

Abstract: Collaborative pianists face many challenges throughout their career, including issues such as workload, compensation, equity, mental health, physical injury, mentoring, and work/life balance. Additionally, they often struggle to find both the platform to give voice to their experience and the courage required to speak up about critical issues they face. This column summarizes a roundtable conversation held at the joint NATS/NOA conference in January 2025, which outlines the pressures pianists face and offers strategic steps toward better advocacy for pianists, partners, administrators, and allies.