Dr. Aya Higuchi Hagelthorn

Biography

Aya Higuchi Hagelthorn is a Lecturer in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Michigan. She serves as the Director of the Collegiate Class Piano and Coordinator of the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program. Additionally, she is a member of the College of Examiners at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Her musical journey has spanned Japan, Italy, Prague, and the United States, where she has garnered acclaim for both solo and collaborative performances. An active researcher, she regularly presents her findings at piano pedagogy conferences and has made recordings of Chopin's compositions for films, documentaries, and educational materials available through platforms like MuseOpen.org and IMSLP.org. Her commitment to advancing music education is demonstrated through innovative teaching methodologies and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. Her research interests encompass music technology integration, immersive learning, performance pedagogy, and digital media in music education. Hagelthorn has received a project grant from the University of Michigan’s Center for Academic Innovation to collaborate with an XR team to develop immersive performance environments for piano students using Apple Vision Pro. As the coordinator of the Piano Department within the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance, she highlights departmental achievements and innovative projects like the Michigan Recording Project, aimed at enhancing the visibility of student and faculty work through strategic digital storytelling.

Research Interests