Shuann Chai succeeds Bart van de Roer, who was associated with Codarts in that position for many years and has now secured a position at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf.

Shuann Chai not only brings with her a broad knowledge of the major piano repertoire, but also strengthens the Codarts team with her passion and specialisation for historical pianos. In doing so, she complements the current team which consists of Nino Gvetadze (principal study teacher), Maarten van Veen (repertoire class with specialisation in 20th/21st century music), Ellyne Wieringa (young talent class and methodology subjects piano) and Roderigo Robles de Medina (coordinator).

The classical piano department at Codarts is characterised by intensive contact between teachers, students and departmental representation through team teaching, among other things. The department has excellent facilities: for instance, all grand pianos (Steinway and Yamaha) have recently been renewed and there is both a Yamaha Enspire disklavier and a Steinway Spirio | r present.

There are monthly joint group lessons and 'informed practice' sessions, and master classes are organised regularly. A wide range of styles and roles (accompanying, chamber music, solo, orchestral musician) are covered in the curriculum so that students are optimally prepared for the professional field.