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Welcome

to the official website of Ben Schoeman

Concert Pianist , Educator, and Storyteller.

Schoeman is a distinguished London-based Steinway Artist, celebrated for his artistry, narrative depth, and pedagogical insight.

Concert Pianist and Steinway Artist

A laureate of numerous international competitions, Schoeman’s accolades include the gold medal and “Commonwealth Musician of the Year” at the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition in London, the first grand prize at the 11th UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, and the Contemporary Music Prize at the Cleveland International Piano Competition.

He has appeared worldwide as a recitalist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician in leading venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall, Barbican Hall, Cadogan Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, LSO St Luke’s in London, Konzerthaus in Berlin, Gulbenkian Auditorium in Lisbon, Fondazione Cariplo Auditorium in Milan, Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano, and the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest and in front of the Pyramids in Egypt.

A dedicated collaborator, Schoeman has performed with numerous conductors and orchestras in a wide range of concertos. His vast spectrum of chamber projects includes recording the complete Beethoven symphonies arranged for piano duet by Xaver Scharwenka with acclaimed duo partner pianist Tessa Uys for SOMM Recordings. The duo’s interpretations have drawn international praise from BBC Music, International Piano, and Gramophone Magazines and on BBC Radio 3 and Radio France.

Schoeman commands an expansive repertoire – covering composers from across the world and centuries. From the timeless classics of Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff to music by African, Eastern European, and Avant-Garde composers, his programming reflects not only extraordinary versatility but also a deep commitment to celebrating a rich diversity of musical traditions.

Educator

As an educator, Ben Schoeman has extensive experience in many pedagogical facets. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from City, St George’s University of London, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He also honed his skills as a concert pianist and didactic specialist at major music academies in Italy – the Accademia Pianistica ‘Incontri col Maestro’ in Imola and the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole near Florence.

He has subsequently served as a senior lecturer in piano and musicology as well as a research fellow, which have equipped him with a unique ability to craft lecture-recitals that are not only musically compelling but also intellectually engaging, bringing audiences closer to the historical, cultural, and emotional contexts of the works he performs. His years of teaching at university level have also made him an exceptional teacher for piano students, with a proven ability to guide their artistic growth while also preparing them successfully for theoretical examinations, concerts and competitions. He successfully supervised numerous Master’s and Doctoral students towards degree completion.
Schoeman also extensively researched and wrote about contemporary techniques in Italian and African piano music, specifically that of Luigi Dallapiccola and Stefans Grové (1922-2014). He closely collaborated with Grové and premiered his last three compositions. Through research and specialised studies with his teachers Boris Petrushansky and Eliso Virsaladze, Schoeman immersed himself in the pianistic approach of the revered Moscow Conservatoire pedagogue Heinrich Neuhaus (also the teacher of Sviatoslav Richter and Emil Gilels).

Alongside his international performing career, Schoeman runs his own Piano Academy in London, where he teaches students from intermediate level upwards, combining technique, interpretive depth, and academic understanding to nurture well-rounded musicians.

Whether in solo recordings of music by Liszt, Tchaikovsky, Haydn and others, or in his SOMM albums of Beethoven Symphonies and English music, or in his explorations of African repertoire through research and performance, Ben seeks to captivate both the ear and the imagination in all his artistic directions.

Storyteller

stories rooted in repertoire, research, and education

Current Events

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27 Jan 2026
Events

Ben Schoeman and Tessa Uys perform music by persecuted figures such as Erwin Schulhoff, Eroica Symphony by Beethoven

27 January 2026 @
Reform Club 104 Pall Mall London
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25 Jan 2026
Events

Beethoven 7th Symphony for piano four hands, Elgar

25 January 2026 @ 15:00
Spire Church, South Street, Farnham, GU9 7QU
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13 Dec 2025
Events

Ben Schoeman – An Afternoon of Piano Masterpieces

13 December 2025 @ 15:00 - 17:00
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13 Sep 2025
Events

RAVEL PIANO CONCERTO IN G (RAVEL 150TH ANNIVERSARY)

13 September 2025 @ 13:00 , more
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25 Jan 2025
Events

GUSTAV HOLST 150TH ANNIVERSARY

25 January 2025 @ 13:00 , more
Music at Hill – Holy Sepulchre EC1A 2DQ London
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See Past Events

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Academy

Piano Academy based in Dulwich, London

Welcome to the Ben Schoeman Piano Academy based in Dulwich, London. Classical piano education for students who are looking to take their passion for piano to the next level. Intermediate to advanced piano players The academy is focused on those currently at intermediate or advanced level, seeking piano lessons as part of a professional path. From refining your interpretation of JS Bach or deepening your understanding of Beethoven’s Für Elise or discovering the fantastic scope of piano music written over hundreds of years, Ben will embark with you on an intensive piano course that develops true artistry and technical command. Students receive personalised one-on-one lessons tailored to their individual musical ambitions and interests. Piano exam preparation The Academy offers expert guidance for students preparing for formal music examinations. Ben prepares learners for ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) exams, Trinity College London exams, UNISA (University of South Africa) music examinations, and other international assessment boards. Students receive tailored support in both performance and theory, ensuring that they not only pass but excel with confidence and musical insight. With a strong focus on piano tuition that is inspiring, rigorous, and creative, Ben’s Academy equips students not only to play beautifully but also to understand and express the deeper stories within music. Music competitions and festivals provide excellent opportunities for pianists, and Ben has vast experience in navigating this field. His students have won prizes in many competitions in various countries. Teaching and philosophy Ben believes that music education should refine both skill and imagination. Working with pianists who already possess strong technical foundations, he focuses on deepening their listening, analytical thinking, and musical communication. He aims to cultivate musicians who are not only highly accomplished at the keyboard but also intellectually engaged and artistically distinctive, qualities that serve them both on and beyond the concert stage.
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