M.M., Piano Pedagogy and Performance, University of Idaho
Biography
Peter Shelley is a music theorist, pianist, composer, and educator. He holds a Ph.D. in Music Theory from the University of Washington, and an M.M in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Idaho. He joined the faculty at Miami University in 2026. He has previously taught at Mount Allison University, Wagner College, Wallace Community College, the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, and Eastern Washington University. Shelley approaches pedagogy with a keen attention to fundamentals, mindful of the importance of well-developed fluency in the life of a musician.
As a theorist, Shelley has pursued a variety of research interests. His current work engages the music of women composers in the 19 th century, with particular attention paid to questions of form and pedagogy. In particular, his work focuses on the music of Fanny Hensel. He has presented analytical papers on her idiosyncratic approach to formal organization in her piano compositions. Shelley has also presented pedagogical research on the piano music of Teresa Carreño, a Venezuelan virtuoso pianist who composed in a flashy, brilliant style. This work supports a broader interest in expanding the base of musical examples available in the core music theory classroom.
