Michael Lewin on why the audition panel wants to like you
Boston Conservatory’s head of piano on choosing a teacher, building an audition program and what juries listen for.
Michael Lewin is professor and head of piano at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. His career began with wins at the Liszt International Piano Competition, the William Kapell International Competition and the American Pianists Award. He is a Juilliard graduate and a Steinway Artist.
Here are nine of his best tips, from his Star Talk conversation with Brian Lin on Piano League.
1. Start by knowing yourself
I would start it all by saying knowing yourself. What kind of career do you envision? How advanced are you? Do you want a very competitive environment or a more nurturing environment?
Michael Lewin
2. The teacher matters more than the school
Even more important than the school is the teacher. For me, the teacher is almost everything.
Michael Lewin
3. If it isn’t working, switch
I feel strongly that if it’s not working out with a teacher, you should switch, even if the teacher is upset. This is your life.
Michael Lewin
4. The audition is almost everything
The choosing of that repertoire and the way you play that repertoire is 90% of acceptance.
Michael Lewin
5. Play what you can play
If you sit down with a terrifically difficult piece and you can’t play it, that doesn’t help you. It’s better to play something that you can play.
Michael Lewin
6. Open with your strongest piece
The only thing that most schools will give you a choice of is the first piece. You should play what you are most comfortable with, what you feel is most solid.
Michael Lewin
7. Sound is your identity
If you think of the greatest pianists, your favorite pianists, almost all of them have an identifiable sound. The sound is our DNA.
Michael Lewin
8. The jury is on your side
Something that I wish people had told me: we want to like you. I’m sitting there just waiting to fall in love with your playing.
Michael Lewin
9. Recover, then forgive yourself
When I see somebody recover well from a memory slip and then play well after that, I like that a lot, because that’s what life is going to be like.
Michael Lewin
Quotes are lightly edited for length and clarity. They come from Michael Lewin’s 2020 Star Talk conversation with Brian Lin. You can watch the full conversation on the Piano League YouTube channel.
Quick question
Which tip will you try first?
Have a story tip or a correction? Tell us.