Timothy Cheek

About

Professor Timothy Cheek is an accomplished vocal coach and collaborative pianist at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where he joined the faculty in 1994. He holds degrees in piano performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Gregory Allen, as well as a doctorate in collaborative piano and chamber music from the University of Michigan, where he studied under the renowned collaborative pianist Martin Katz. In 1990-1991, Cheek was the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Award, serving as an opera coach apprentice at the Teatro Comunale in Florence, Italy, where he studied under acclaimed conductors Bruno Bartoletti, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, and Zubin Mehta. With extensive international experience, he has performed recitals as a collaborative pianist in 18 countries on four continents and has been heard on radio and television programs worldwide. At SMTD, he serves as music director of Opera Workshop, instructor of lyric diction classes, and coach for opera productions. Cheek has been recognized internationally as a leading authority in vocal coaching and collaborative piano, with recent appearances as head coach and pianist at the Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Festival. His CD Apple Train was released by ArcoDiva, Prague, and is distributed by Naxos. He specializes in coaching singers in Italian, French, German and English diction, and in interpreting the classical vocal repertoire with sensitivity and historical awareness.

Education & Qualifications

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (Oberlin Conservatory of Music), Master of Music in Piano Performance (University of Texas at Austin), Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano and Chamber Music (University of Michigan), Fulbright Scholar (1990-1991, Teatro Comunale Florence, Italy)

Teaching Styles