Hepburn Hall

Bio: Dr. Christopher Hepburn, a distinguished musicologist and concert pianist, bridges classical traditions with contemporary wellness philosophies through his innovative approach to sound and musical expression. With a PhD from Texas Tech University focusing on sound embodiment across Western and East Asian traditions, Dr. Hepburn's scholarship culminated in his groundbreaking 2023 publication on premodern Japanese song poems. His academic appointments include prestigious fellowships at the University of Southern California, where he has contributed to interdisciplinary studies in history, art, and culture with his advisees taking first-prize at various creative symposia. His pianistic lineage traces directly to Beethoven and Chopin through the Leschetizky-Czerny and Horszowski-Mikuli pedagogical traditions, enriched by studies with renowned pedagogues Leslie Spotz, Lora Deahl, and Tatiana Roitmann. This classical foundation, combined with masterclasses from Christopher Elton (Royal Academy of Music), Jennifer Elowsky-Fox (Berklee College of Music), and Nicoletta Conti (student of Leonard Bernstein), informs his electrifying performances—once literally startling an audience member during a particularly dynamic interpretation of the first movement of Beethoven's Tempest Sonata. In 2018, he gained international recognition through his contribution to the pioneering complete works recording of Alexey Stanchinsky for Grand Piano Records distributed by Naxos. Dr. Hepburn's research on sound embodiment has earned acclaim at prestigious institutions worldwide, including Oxford University, Columbia University, and Waseda University (Japan). His scholarly work uniquely synthesizes historical performance practices with modern wellness concepts, creating a globally holistic approach to premodern and contemporary musical understanding and expression. As a member of the Leschetizky Association, Dr. Hepburn champions an adaptive teaching methodology that honors traditional technical excellence while embracing contemporary pedagogical innovations. His approach seamlessly integrates classical rigor with modern cultural fluency—reflected in his passion for anime, manga, and digital media—positioning him at the intersection of historical preservation and future-focused musical evolution.