Historical Improvisation Piano Recital
Instructor: Dr. Jing Chang
Friday, November 14, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
A.F. Siebert Chapel
Kenosha, WI
Improvisation is an experiential learning process that allows musicians to take back ownership of their musical expression. By interpreting music in their own way, musicians actively apply theoretical knowledge and piano techniques in a creative context. The unique beauty lies in learning to accept uncertainty—welcoming surprises and even the “failures” of stepping away from the written score. Improvisers are like architects who construct from inside with their full understanding of detailed inner structures, shaping music organically, and logically, rather than following a step-by-step instruction.
In this recital, students present their piano arrangements of classical, choral, musical theater, and instrumental works, demonstrating their ability to play beyond the note-by-note performance. Through the process of arranging and reinterpreting existing repertoire, students can actively deepen stylistic understanding. These skills also prepare them for future careers as music educators —enabling them to adapt, rearrange, and respond to the diverse musical needs of their students.
Everyone can improvise, regardless the level of finger technique.
We are all improvising everyday - when you speak, cook, walk, or handle daily activities. Let’s embrace uncertainty and let go of perfectionism, trust your intuitive creativity and most importantly – have fun playing music!
Landuleni Benjamin —— Am I Blue? by Harry Akst and Grant Clarke
Mandy Nelson —— Impromptu Op.90 No.2, by Schubert
Xian Ding —— On the Wings, by Ivan Sokolov
Rees Davies —— Improvisation on Piano and Harmonica, by Rees Davies
Yingcheng Dou —— Feeling Good, by Michael Buble
You Wu —— “Prelude” - Improvisation in Baroque Style, by You Wu
Aydan Hughes-Massey —— We Found Love, by Daniel Cesar
Chase Portner—— “You Don’t Know This Man” from the Musical Parade, by Jason Robert Brown
Han Hoang —— “Bambi”- Improvisation in Baroque Style, by Han Hoang
Qingchen Yao —— “Someone Gets Hurt” from the Musical Mean Girls, by Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin
Jingyi Huo ---- "Dragon Song" from the Theme of Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward, by Nobuo Uematsu.
Keyi Zhang —— “How Far I’ll Go” from the Disney Musical Moana, by Auli’I Cravalho
Mengyan Zhang —— “Losing My Mind” from the Musical Follies, by Stephen Sondheim
Haifan Wu ——Jazz Improvisation with the themes of “Just the Two of Us” and Chopin Waltz, by Haifan Wu
Kai Wu —— The Seasons – June, by Tchaikovsky
Jing Chang —— Piano Transcription of Bach’s Chromatic Fantasia and Chaconne, by Bach/Chang