Christos Tsitsaros

Christos Tsitsaros is a Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His career spans extensive studies in Cyprus, Poland, France, and the U.S., culminating in a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois. He is renowned for bridging performance, composition, and pedagogy, with notable works like Symmetrical Warm-Ups and Three Preludes for Solo Piano. Dr. Tsitsaros has received accolades including the 2014 MTNA Distinguished Composer Award and a 1992 composition competition win. His research emphasizes neuromuscular safety in piano technique and has been showcased globally. He has performed and lectured across Europe, the U.S., and Asia, including a Carnegie Hall debut and residencies like the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation.

Education:

• Diplôme Supérieur d'Exécution (École Normale de Musique de Paris)
• Artist Diploma and Masters in Music (Indiana University Jacobs School of Music)
• Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance (University of Illinois)

Research Interests: Piano pedagogy, composition for educational contexts, neuromuscular technique, and the intersection of classical tradition with contemporary trends. His work often explores themes like tangos, mythological triptychs, and global dance rhythms, blending technical rigor with artistic expression.

Key Contributions: Over 400 compositions, including pedagogical series published by Hal Leonard, and recordings on Centaur Records. His Sonatina Humoresque is widely praised for its pedagogical and artistic value.

Awards:

• 2014 MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year
• 1992 National Conference on Piano Pedagogy Composition Competition Winner

Grants & Scholarships: A.G. Leventis Foundation Scholarship (1986) supported his studies at Indiana University.