鋼琴合作(Collaborative Piano)是近幾年來在臺灣音樂界興起的一門顯學，而國內亦有相當多的音樂人才陸續加入鋼琴合作的行列。其概念是源自於早期的鋼琴伴奏，包含兩大不同的伴奏領域─聲樂及器樂。其目的不僅在培育專業的聲樂指導(Vocal Coach)及聲樂伴奏人才，也期望能培養出專業的器樂伴 奏家。鋼琴合作此專業的概念是由美國教授 Gwendolyn Koldovsky(1906-1998)，於西元1947年在美國南加州大學(University of Southern California)提出，並進一步於該校創立第一個專門訓練此領域的系所。而美國各大學音樂系及音樂學院，擴及至歐洲，甚至於臺灣都紛紛跟進成立培育此領城的專業人才。本篇論文以美國為例，分析其中六所代表此領域的學校：茱莉亞音樂學院(The Juilliard School)、伊士曼音樂學院(Eastman School of Music)、新英格蘭音樂學院(New England Conservatory)、曼哈頓音樂學院(Manhattan Music School)、密西根大學安娜堡分校(University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)及南加州大學。從鋼琴合作教育的起源、發展、課程設計、教學內容、入學考試範疇及方法等方面做介紹，並提出幾項擔任鋼琴合作家應具備的基本能力及條件。

Gwendolyn Koldovsky, distinguished professor at the USC School of Music, founded the school’s Department of Keyboard Collaborative Arts, and both designed and established the world’s first degree-granting program in accompanying, which was first offered in 1947. The goal of a keyboard collaborative arts program is to inspire pianists by enriching and guiding them through their study of collaboration in chamber music, song repertoire, and opera. Additionally, students may opt for an opportunity to improve their strengths in foreign language diction and opera coaching. This article will introduce the origin of collaborative piano education, its development, curriculum, entrance examination, and several basic abilities that a collaborative pianist should have in order to pursue studies in this area.