Brett
Klaus

Brett Klaus is a St. Louis–area collaborative pianist, theater director, music educator, vocal coach, and arts leader. His career has crossed concert performance, opera and musical theater, university instruction, K–12 music education, and the development of student-centered arts programs.

As a pianist, Klaus has performed in the United States, Canada, and Europe in solo, chamber, operatic, new-music, and large-ensemble settings. His work includes appearances with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, concerto performances in the United States and Italy, performances at Seiji Ozawa Hall, and projects connected with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Manhattan School of Music, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, the New England Conservatory, and regional opera and chamber-music organizations.

As an educator and director, Klaus believes that high musical standards and an encouraging rehearsal environment should go hand in hand. He has taught students from elementary school through the university level while directing productions, developing camps and workshops, and building partnerships with professional musicians, universities, and arts organizations that expand opportunities for young artists.

“I believe that no matter who you are or where you came from, you deserve the same level of education and opportunity as anyone else in any big city.”

Klaus holds a Professional Studies Certificate in Opera and Vocal Collaborative Piano from Manhattan School of Music, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Boston Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri–Columbia.