Northeastern Illinois University Piano Studio

As a founding member of Keys to Inclusion, NEIU piano studio is thrilled to be involved in this exciting recording project!

Cesar Pino (B.A. ‘16 and M.A. ‘18 Music) is known in the music world by his stage name C3zr. Pino released his debut LP titled, “Round Voyage,” in March 2024, which focuses on Chicago’s bodies of water at different points of the day. Pino has been featured in the Chicago Tribune and Under the Radar Magazine, amongst other music-related publications. His album has musical production of electric jazz and funk and features several local Chicagoland artists. Learn more about Pino and his journey by visiting our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiualumni/.

Last night pianist Mohammad Abdelrahman received the Presser Award (cash prize!) for a graduating senior who represents our highest level of academic excellence, leadership and musical achievement in the music department.

Next Fall, he will attend Illinois State University on a full scholarship plus teaching assistantship to pursue the Master of Music in piano performance.

We will miss him at our weekly studio classes but wish him the best on this next step in his musical journey ❤️ congratulations Mo, we are all so proud of you!

Piano studio field trip in March to Symphony Center to hear and witness the beauty and artistry of Mitsuko Uchida’s Mozart ❤️

Congratulations to NEIU piano studio alumni Suni (Hongyu) Lei (MA Piano Pedagogy) who has been accepted to begin her DMA in composition at University of Alabama!

NEIU piano studio is so proud and excited about the success of Cesar Pino (BM piano performance and MA piano pedagogy) who did both his undergraduate and graduate degree with us! Hope all the arpeggios you did come in handy on that KEYTAR ❤️

Spotlight on Piano Studio Alumni: Cesar Pino
BM Piano Performance (2016), MA Piano Pedagogy (2018)

Cesar Pino completed both his undergraduate and graduate music degrees at NEIU. As a student, in addition to excelling in classical repertoire, under the guidance of Mayo Tiana, Cesar also developed into quite a fine jazz musician, and was honored by being selected to tour with the NEIU jazz ensemble throughout China.

Since graduating, this Chicago native from Park Ridge not only maintains a private piano studio and is on the music faculty at ChiArts High School, he has also expanded his career into the entrepreneur world. Cesar is now producing podcasts and marketing original musical content through his company, “Voices of Chicago” AND he is in the process of opening a jazz lounge in the West Town neighborhood.

A music degree from NEIU not only develops superb musicians, but also nurtures collaboration, creativity, innovation and the entrepreneur spirit!

Two amazing opportunities this week to hear some beautiful piano music!! All events are FREE to the public!!

March 21 at 3PM, pianist Mirna Lekic and composer Andre Bregegere from NYC are coming to present a really interesting and creative program that explores the sounds of the piano with LIVE video creation. You will have a chance to be part of a multi-media and multi-sensory experience!

March 22nd at 7:30PM, NEIU piano faculty Susan Tang will present a concert of the German Romantics Schumann and Brahms in works for solo piano, piano 4 hands and piano quartet with NEIU faculty Kay Kim (piano) & Jaime Gorgojo (violin) plus guest artists Mara McClain (cello) and Adam Cordle (viola)

Congratulations to pianist Ivona Kesic right here in the middle surrounded by her happy peers in the piano studio after a beautiful performance of Schumann piano concerto last night. We are happy to announce she was chosen to perform with orchestra later this month!! Congratulations!