Ralph Abelein

Prof. Ralph Abelein is a faculty member at Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main (HfMDK), holding a professorship in Practical Instrumental Playing since 2005. He teaches jazz piano, improvisation, song accompaniment, arranging, and ensemble work.

• Active as a jazz pianist, arranger, composer, and conductor
• Collaborated with Frankfurt Opera, Darmstadt State Theater, and Southwest German Philharmonic Orchestra
• Authored the textbook "Song Accompaniment and Piano Improvisation" with Jyrki Tenni
• Director of Education for teacher training programs at HfMDK since 2020

In 2008, he initiated the "Music for Silent Films" project, winning the Hessian University Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 2021. He founded the HfMDK Jazz and Pop Choir in 2009 and co-directs the MA Big Band program launched in 2022.