Do concert pianists go through regular education?

[burnttoast]

For example, Vladimir Horowitz. Did he go through elementary and high school? He went to the Kiev Conservatory at 9. Did he have a private tutor for the elementary and high school? I know Perahia did because he did not start piano seriously until 15, but what about the others? The reason I am asking this is because I am about to enter high school and am aspiring to be a concert pianist. I came back to the piano last year at 13 and started seriously, and I've had two teachers (one of which is mine) tell me I've got it in be to be a professional. I want to know if I am missing out on an important step in becoming a concert artist.

[unholeee]

no they are often held back. something 'bout only being able to count to like 4 e and a something... i forget. oh they also struggle in language.. especially letters that come after g.

[Bob]

Sounds like an advantage to not be stuck in school six to eight hours a day.  I can think of a few people who were home schooled and practiced most of the day.  Not a concert pianist level, but very good.

[avguste]

Great question. Personally my take is that if one wants to make a career, they have to sacrifice. And one of the aspects to sacrifice is the "regular" education

[iansinclair]

Honestly can't tell you about concert pianists -- although the few I know did receive a pretty normal high school education and either college with a good music program or conservatory.  Ballet dancers I know about, however, and starting at school grade 2 (about 7 years old) a dancer who is going to make it professionaly is going to school normally, then after school 3 or 4 days a week at the studio for three hours.  Starting in high school (say about 14 years old) that dancer will be in school normally, then at the studio for about 6 hours six days a week (afternoon and evening weekdays, all day Saturday).  Very very few professional dancers go to college; some go to a conservatory, but it does not appear to give any advantage.

That help?

[kotoko]

I've actually wondered this myself.

I was in grade 12 of high school when I was preparing to go for my grade 10 piano exam. As the exam date grew closer, I was nowhere near ready to pass it, so I started dedicating about 4 hours of each day to piano practice. I stressed so much and lost a lot of sleep, and basically my grades slipped because of it. At the same time, though, I didn't really want to make a career out of music and so was applying for other programs at various universities and had to keep my grades up, especially in English, the math courses, and the sciences. Also at the same time was working a part-time job, being a school prefect, and being in the school band (playing the clarinet), because as my dad said, extra-curriculars were good to put on university applications!

Which got me wondering...how in the world does anyone do well in school AND in piano (or any other specific skill)? Unless you are some sort of super genius, is it possible to do both or would you have to choose? :S

[qpalqpal]

What I know is that it IS possible. Personal experience? Nope about to enter high school, and I'm in the SAME exact position as this kiddo here. Let's say, an extreme case (mine): you leave 6:30 in the morning, and get home at 7pm. You can have an hour and a half, learning four pieces at a time, then at 8:30 homework till 10, then bed.

Why not? Makes perfect sense