Dr. Peter Kairoff Awarded 2025 Jon Reinhardt Award for Excellence in Teaching

By Erin Marlow, Communications Specialist in the Office of the Dean of the College

Whether preparing for a recital or studying for finals, piano students knew exactly where to turn for encouragement: Dr. Peter Kairoff. For more than 35 years, Dr. Kairoff, Emeritus Professor of Piano, enriched Wake Forest with his musical expertise and gift for mentorship. For this legacy, he received the 2025 Jon Reinhardt Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors current or retired faculty who embody the highest values of Wake Forest’s teacher-scholars and uphold the ideals of a liberal arts education.

Since arriving at Wake Forest in 1988, Dr. Kairoff distinguished himself not only through his technical mastery but also through his ability to see his students’ potential and foster their broader intellectual growth.

Former student Zach Saffa (ʼ10) experienced Dr. Kairoff’s encouraging nature firsthand. “I came to Peter in between rehearsals for some nerve-calming advice,” said Saffa, remembering moments before performing as a soloist in a piano concerto with the Salisbury Symphony. “I truly don’t think I could have gone on stage the following month, nor continued my career as a music teacher, had Peter not instilled in me the unconditional confidence every great educator has that their students can set out to achieve anything.”

Whether teaching introductory classes or special seminars in honors and interdisciplinary programs, Dr. Kairoff brought this same dedication to every course he taught. “Having sat in on some of his classes myself, I can say that he is a mesmerizing presence in the classroom — immensely talented as a musician, very erudite about classical music history, and eager to share what he knows with students,” said Professor of English Dr. Barry Maine.

Dr. Kairoff’s broader campus contributions included serving as Associate Chair and then Chair of the Department of Music, where his influence was felt throughout the department. “I learned so much from him about how to foster a sense of community in our department,” said Professor and Chair of the Department of Music, Dr. Jacqui Carrasco, noting the high bar Dr. Kairoff set with his “wit and eloquence.”

Dr. Kairoff’s wisdom and leadership also extended to Venice, Italy, where he served as Director of Wake Forest’s Casa Artom for 25 years and as Resident Professor for several semesters. He utilized his fluent Italian and extensive knowledge of Italian culture to oversee the program with exceptional organization and enthusiasm. His passion for cross-cultural education has forged relationships between Wake Forest and its European collaborators that will last for years to come.

“I cannot think of a more deserving member of the Wake Forest College faculty for this award than Peter Kairoff. Peter will always be the epitome of the Wake Forest teacher-scholar, whose enthusiasm for his teaching and creative work has touched countless students over his tenure,” said Tony Marsh, Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. 

Throughout his time teaching, Dr. Kairoff maintained an equally impressive performance career. He has performed as a pianist and harpsichordist internationally, including recitals in Berlin, Rio de Janeiro, Venice, and Shanghai, as well as numerous local and regional collaborations as a chamber music partner. In 2023, he was inducted into the Steinway and Sons Hall of Fame, and he has repeatedly demonstrated his incredible artistry and musical flair in recitals of masterworks such as J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations. His many CD recordings on the Albany and Centaur labels have highlighted works by Bach and Franz Schubert, as well as late 19th-century American composers such as Horatio Parker and George Chadwick, all performed with depth and musical sensitivity. 

Dr. Peter Kairoff’s extraordinary contributions to Wake Forest — as teacher, scholar, performer, and mentor — embody the essence of the Jon Reinhardt Award for Excellence in Teaching. Congratulations, Dr. Kairoff, on this distinguished achievement. 

“I cannot think of a more deserving member of the Wake Forest College faculty for this award than Peter Kairoff. Peter will always be the epitome of the Wake Forest teacher-scholar, whose enthusiasm for his teaching and creative work has touched countless students over his tenure.”

Tony Marsh, Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences