Dr. Sonya Schumann

Dr. Sonya Schumann is a pianist praised for her “delicate, introspective, and energetic” artistry, equally compelling as a soloist and collaborator. She has appeared on stages across North America, with recent performances alongside the San Diego Symphony, the Mainly Mozart All-Stars, and The Old Globe. An avid chamber musician and champion of contemporary music, she has released numerous recordings with a variety of ensembles, widely available on Spotify and other streaming platforms.

 

In parallel with an active performing career, Dr. Schumann is deeply committed to music education. She has previously served on the faculties of Fullerton College, Madonna University, Schoolcraft College, and the Levine School in Washington, D.C., and is a sought-after guest lecturer and masterclass clinician nationwide. Her recent appearances include engagements with Keys Fest, Music Teachers National Association, Central Michigan University, Red Rocks Music Festival, Art at Noon at LexArts, and the Cornish-American Song Institute. In recognition of her leadership and creative scholarship, she is a recipient of the SDSU Outstanding Faculty Award in Research and Innovation and was named a 2026 Yamaha 40 Under Forty honoree.

 

A dedicated arts leader, Dr. Schumann is the director of AmateurPianists, a nonprofit organization that creates meaningful learning and performance opportunities for adult amateur musicians. She also serves as Director of the San Diego International Piano Competition and Festival. With extensive experience in nonprofit governance, she is proud to serve on the boards of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) and the Musical Merit Foundation. Her advocacy for equity and representation in classical music led to the creation of Keys to Inclusion, a multifaceted initiative amplifying the works of Black American composers.

 

Dr. Schumann’s work as an editor, compiler, and producer has been published by Hal Leonard, G. Schirmer, and Schott Music, among others, and she currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the California CAPMT state journal. She has been recognized as a founding member of Piano Theatre, an interdisciplinary artist collective dedicated to engaging audiences through innovative intersections of classical music, theatre, literature, visual art, and technology. Together with her sister, Elizabeth, she performs as the Schumann Duo, presenting imaginative, high-impact programs designed to bring classical music to children and communities where arts access has been reduced or eliminated. Their internationally renowned concert, Pianimal, was featured in a documentary for the Gilmore for Kids Series. Extending their outreach beyond the concert hall, the duo also created Piano Carnival, a free, interactive, five-star-rated app available on Apple devices.

 

Dr. Schumann holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music from the University of Michigan, where she studied with Christopher Harding, Logan Skelton, and John Ellis, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of South Carolina under Marina Lomazov. She currently teaches at San Diego State University, where she also serves as Coordinator of the Piano Academy within the Community Music School.