Kansas State University Piano Studio

09/02/2026

Coming up in September...

09/02/2026

Dr. Dobrzanski's recordings of Anton de Kontski were called "excellent" and "fascinating" in the most recent edition of the International Piano Magazine!

08/04/2026

This fall, during Dr. Dobrzanski's sabbatical leave, K-State piano students will be studying with an excellent international pianist and teacher, Dr. Alfonso Hernandez.

Dr. Alfonso Hernandez is a musician and arts advocate, praised as “one of the best Guatemalan pianists today, thanks to his energy, precision, and delicacy” (Prensa Libre, Guatemala). Alfonso began his musical journey at the age of four under the guidance of his father and later entered the National Conservatory of Guatemala. He went on to win virtually all available national competitions and debuted as a soloist with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Guatemala at the age of twelve. His awards include prizes from the Lynn Conservatory Concerto Competition, Moores School of Music Concerto Competition, TMTA, MTNA, the Chautauqua International Piano Competition, and the Maria Clara Cullell International Piano Competition, among others.

Alfonso is the principal pianist of Core Ensemble, a chamber music theatre company that brings to life historical and cultural figures from the United States and the Americas through music and storytelling. The ensemble has been featured in major publications, including The Boston Globe and The Palm Beach Post, which called it “the most enterprising musical group in South Florida.” Core Ensemble productions have also been described as “an intriguing, smoothly crafted performance featuring an exemplary chamber ensemble” (San Antonio Express-News).

Beyond the stage, Alfonso earned an MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute. He has served as Cultural Promoter at the Guatemalan Embassy in Washington, D.C., and co-founded award-winning organizations including the International Chamber Music Festival of Guatemala (FIMCA Guatemala) and the Luis Felipe Arias International Piano Festival and Competition. Dr. Hernandez earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland and holds degrees from the University of Houston, the Eastman School of Music, and Lynn University.
Welcome to K-State, Dr. Hernandez!

05/02/2026

Congratulations, Hera!
What an amazing Senior Recital!

04/30/2026

Kudos to the performers at tonight's Piano Studio Recital!
Thank you for maintaining the spirit of piano music during this challenging semester.

04/28/2026

04/10/2026

Hera Hessenius, Senior Recital (piano, organ, chamber music)
Friday, May 1st, 6:30PM
Bach, Haydn, Alkan, Rachmaninoff, Tcherepnin, Debussy, Bossi, and Lutoslawski