Thank you all so much for your input! I've spent a fair bit of time researching the playing levels of some of these teachers' students, and it's been very, very informative.I also recently found out that in addition to the schools previously mentioned, I've also been accepted to the University of Michigan piano program (although I do not yet know with whom I would be studying). Is there anyone who studied there and has some input or advice? My understanding is that this music school is generally a higher-level program (I considered it to be one of my "reach" schools), but I know relatively little about the quality of the piano department.
Congratulations on being accepted to all of these schools! I don't know how much help I will be, since I am only in high school, and have not studied at a university. However, I thought I might as well write, even though I am not at all a very good pianist, and am young. I do know a little, TINY bit about two of the professors there at UM: Dr. Christopher Harding (Piano Chair at UM), and Logan Skelton. I don't know if you would join their studios, but they should give you an idea of what the other professors are like.Dr. Harding is an amazing teacher. I have had lessons with him, and have seen him give several masterclasses, and can say he is an extremely good teacher. Of course, my thoughts on him are relative to the masterclasses I have seen/been in, and lessons I have been in. These have included some big names, such as Joseph Kalichstein, Menahem Pressler, Karen Shaw, Sean Chen, and Emile Naoumoff. And some very wonderful teachers who aren't as well known; Karen Taylor, Daniel Schene, Alice Rybak, etc. I can say that, with what little experience I have, Dr. Harding is an astounding teacher. His understanding of not only technique and musicality, but also of body mechanics, is amazing. My lesson with him revolutionized how I played and practiced. His lessons and masterclasses are always insightful, and he is a really funny guy.I do not know what Skelton's lessons are like, as I have never met him personally, but I do know that his students are extremely good, and all of the professors I have talked with have HIGHLY praised him (even saying that he is better than Dr. Harding...). UM is a school that I have thought about applying to when the time comes, and these two professors would be the two that I would love to study with. I have heard marvelous things about the other professors in the piano department as well. My teacher would rather me attend UM than IU, so I think it is a highly regarded school.Anyways, feel free to ignore my thoughts, as I really can't comment on the other teachers you are thinking of studying with. ~The Farmboy