Derek Hartman

Derek Hartman is a Lecturer of Piano at the Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, where he contributes to piano pedagogy and performance. He is also a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at the Yale School of Music, studying under Boris Slutsky, Boris Berman, and Dr. Wei-Yi Yang.

Educational Background:

• Doctor of Musical Arts (in progress), Yale School of Music
• Bachelor of Music, Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, minor in Music Theory
• Post-Graduate Fellowship, New School for Music Study, Kingston, NJ

Hartman is a versatile pianist with a broad artistic profile encompassing classical performance, chamber music, jazz, improvisation, and new music. His research and performance interests emphasize holistic musicianship, integrating traditional pedagogy with interdisciplinary concepts from music theory and performance practice. He is particularly passionate about promoting contemporary music and has premiered works by emerging composers, notably in the New Music New Haven series at Yale.

Although no publications are listed in the provided text, his professional activities reflect deep engagement with performance, education, and collaborative music-making, especially in chamber and pedagogical contexts.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Washington International Piano Competition – Top Prize
• Chicago International Music Competition – Top Prize
• PianoArts North American Competition – Top Prize
• Music Teachers’ National Association Young Artist Piano Competition – Top Prize

Hartman has been actively involved in music education and outreach. He served as a teaching assistant in music theory at the Yale School of Music (2020–2023), taught at the New School for Music Study (2023–2024), and has collaborated with PianoArts of Wisconsin since 2018 to design and present educational programs. He is an alumnus of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy and draws inspiration from leading pedagogues like Frances Clark and Marvin Blickenstaff. His teaching philosophy integrates traditional methods with concepts from music academia and his diverse musical background.

Hartman performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Kravis Center, and Sharon Lynne Wilson Center. He has collaborated with artists like violist Jordan Bak and flutist András Adorján and is a regular Faculty-Artist at the ContemporArt Chamber Music Festival in Romania. He has also benefited from the Evelyn Bonar Storrs Scholarship Fund.