Most schools hold a recital or two a year. sdpa runs a full performance calendar: formal recitals across the seasons, honors recitals timed to the major competition dates, casual recitals for trying a piece on the concert grand, a professional artist series, adult events, and free workshops. Performance is not a once a year event here. It is woven through the year, and every student has many chances to step on stage.
Renowned conservatory faculty, brought here to work directly with our students.
March 21, 2027
Renowned concert pianist and faculty at Cleveland Institute of Music. Leading interpreter of Schubert, Mozart, Schumann, Brahms, and Beethoven in concert.
October 3, 2026
Dr. Susan Boettger, Director of the Piano and Chamber Music Department at Irvine Valley College will give a live masterclass to select SDPA students
Composer, concert pianist, singer-songwriter, and producer. Currently releasing a series of original felt-piano compositions from his upcoming album Roots, reflective piano meditations built for calm, presence, and clarity, in concert.
Renowned concert pianist and faculty at Cleveland Institute of Music. Leading interpreter of Schubert, Mozart, Schumann, Brahms, and Beethoven in concert.
For 23 years on faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music, he's shaped students who've gone on to win major competitions and land teaching posts at prestigious universities themselves. Daniel Shapiro will give a live masterclass to select sdpa students.
A champion of 21st century music, under contract to record the complete piano works of composer Lorenzo Milani, with prize-winning students of her own. Melissa Evans Tierra will give a live masterclass to select sdpa students, built around the storytelling that shapes every lesson she teaches.
Rising star of the academy, first-prize winner of the State MTAC Concerto 15–18 Division and multiple other competitions. Her first solo recital, in concert.
One of the top jazz pianists in San Diego, she's shared the stage with jazz legend Charles McPherson and toured internationally as a performer and recording artist. Performing with jazz band.
Yamaha Artist and Chair of the MTAC Southern Regain State Solo/Concerto Competition, whose students swept all three prizes in the Under-18 division at the 2026 Southern Regional. Chetan Tierra will give a live masterclass to select sdpa students.
Greene Music, 7480 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Select students perform, and together we think critically about the playing and the topics unique to learning piano as an adult, led by Melissa Evans Tierra. Every adult student is welcome, whether performing or just listening in.
Greene Music, 7480 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Open to all sdpa students. This workshop covers stage presence, bowing, the walk to the piano, and managing nerves, the physical habits that make a recital feel purposeful instead of anxious. Audiences notice the difference immediately. Led by Chetan Tierra.
Greene Music, 7480 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Select students perform, and together we think critically about the playing and the topics unique to learning piano as an adult, led by Melissa Evans Tierra. Every adult student is welcome, whether performing or just listening in.
Greene Music, 7480 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Open to all sdpa students. This workshop covers our core practice methodology in a group setting: deliberate slow practice, isolating problems, and building pieces from small sections outward. These become immediately usable habits, the kind that regular lessons reinforce. Led by Chetan Tierra.
Greene Music, 7480 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Composer, concert pianist, singer-songwriter, and producer. Currently releasing a series of original felt-piano compositions from his upcoming album Roots, reflective piano meditations built for calm, presence, and clarity, in concert.
Greene Music, 7480 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Chetan Tierra, Yamaha Artist, internationally acclaimed pianist, multi-competition winner, and co-founder of the San Diego Piano Academy to perform concert
Greene Music, 7480 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Honors students only, the academy's highest designation, given to those whose playing rises above their peers. Timed to the year's biggest competitions, this is sdpa at its best.
Greene Music, 7480 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, USA
Select students perform, and together we think critically about the playing and the topics unique to learning piano as an adult, led by Melissa Evans Tierra. Every adult student is welcome, whether performing or just listening in.
