Ory Shihor is an award-winning pianist, pedagogue, and internationally recognized expert in pianistic and musical development. His students have earned top prizes in major international competitions and have been admitted to leading conservatories and universities worldwide, including Curtis, Juilliard, Yale, New England Conservatory, Eastman, and the Royal Academy of Music in London.

A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, Mr. Shihor’s work as a teacher and mentor is informed by a deep understanding of artistic growth, technical development, and long-term musical thinking. His approach integrates historical awareness, rigorous analysis, and practical strategies that support both performance excellence and personal resilience.

In addition to his academic appointments and international teaching activities, Mr. Shihor is widely regarded for his ability to guide students through pivotal stages of artistic development, from early promise to professional readiness.

Lecturer, Piano, Stanford University (2025–present)

Piano Professor, Colburn Conservatory (2008–2019)

Dean & Founder, Colburn Music Academy (2010–2017)

Director, Colburn Academy Piano Festival (2011–2017)

Academic Faculty, Colburn Conservatory (2004–2015)

Piano Faculty & Piano Department Co-Chair, Colburn School of Performing Arts (2000–2014)

Curtis Institute of Music

BM, Juilliard School

MM, University of Southern California

1st Prize Winner, Young Concert Artists International Auditions

Prize Winner, Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition

1st Prize, Washington International Piano Competition

1st Prize Winner, Gina Bachauer Prize, Juilliard

Ory Shihor is an internationally acclaimed pianist and educator. His students have won major competitions, including the Walter W. Naumburg International Piano Competition, Montreal International Piano Competition, Hilton Head International Piano Competition, Bösendorfer and Yamaha USASU International Piano Competition, and have gained admission to top music conservatories and universities, such as Juilliard, Yale and Curtis.

A graduate of Juilliard and Curtis, Mr. Shihor is a frequent speaker and master class teacher at leading conservatories and universities around the world, including the Beijing and Shanghai Conservatories, Seoul National University, National Taiwan Normal University, Northwestern University, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Boston Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory and the Royal Northern College of Music.

For over a decade, he served as piano professor at the Colburn Conservatory and as founding dean of its pre-college academy for highly gifted young musicians.

Mr. Shihor is a winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and the Washington International Piano Competition, a prize winner at the Rubinstein International Master Piano Competition, and a recipient of the Gina Bachauer Prize at Juilliard.

Mr. Shihor is the founder of the Ory Shihor Institute (OSI) and serves on the Piano Faculty of Stanford University as Lecturer.

Based in Northern California, Mr. Shihor is a Bösendorfer and Yamaha artist.

Ory Shihor is an internationally acclaimed pianist and educator. His students have won major competitions and gained admission to top music conservatories and universities. 

For over a decade, he served as piano professor at the Colburn Conservatory and as founding dean of its pre-college academy for highly gifted young musicians. 

Mr. Shihor is the founder of the Ory Shihor Institute (OSI) and serves on the Piano Faculty of Stanford University as Lecturer.