Humanities And Culture

USD College of Fine Arts Announces New Piano & Music Technology Lab

The Department of Music at the University of South Dakota is unveiling a new named space this Oct. 9: The De & Dave Knudson Piano & Music Technology Lab.

By USD

October 05, 2026

Topics

Event Alumni

The entrance of the College of Fine Arts' building is shown, surrounded by an overcast sky and trees, along with a walking path that leads to the doors and is covered in fallen leaves.

The new equipment and instruments in the space are made possible through a gift from USD alumni De Knudson, who graduated from USD with a B.A. in 1971 and an M.A. in 1974, and Dave Knudson, J.D., who graduated from USD with an MBA in 1981. The piano and music technology lab enhances the Department of Music’s educational offerings.

Bruce Kelley, Ph.D., dean of the College of Fine Arts, anticipates this gift making a big impact on USD students.

"We are so grateful to De and Dave Knudson for this gift. Their support enables us to provide our students with professional‑quality instruments and state-of-the art technology,” Kelley said. “Through their generosity, we are able to offer our students transformative artistic and academic experiences. It is a blessing to have such amazing supporters of the arts here at USD.”

A Lifelong Passion Takes Shape in Supporting Students

A lover of the piano from an early age, De is eager to support future generations of piano players. She cherishes the memory of a precious toy piano that she received for Christmas as a child—the beginning of a lifelong passion for piano.

“I am not musical—and I'm not being modest. But the piano is my favorite instrument, so I've taken several sets of piano lessons throughout my years,” De said. “Musical talent aside, it means I've had a really good day if I finally sit down and relax enough to play my piano.”

As proud South Dakotans, De and Dave want to invest in their home state to help future generations of South Dakotans thrive.

“For us, the college education and the postgraduate education that we received have made a huge difference in our lives, so it’s natural for us to help USD,” Dave said. “Universities need good students, good faculty and good facilities. These gifts are in the facilities area. A good, strong university needs all three of those legs on their stool.”

When sharing her hopes for the impact of this gift, De said, “I hope that this gift will help make the musical students at USD even stronger and able to compete with any other musical students in the whole country.

“We have incredibly talented musical professors at USD,” she added. “I think that you could go anywhere from USD.”

De Knudson served on the National Music Museum Board for many years, and the couple also funded the De Welch Knudson Gallery.

Updating USD Equipment for the 21st Century

David Holdhusen, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Music, shared the two equipment upgrades that the Knudsons’ gift made possible: new pianos for student practice rooms, and new music technology equipment.

“Now, all of the pianos in our practice rooms are less than five years old,” Holdhusen said. “Whereas before, there were some pianos with cigarette burns in them from where students used to set their cigarettes down to play. These pianos were from when smoking was still allowed in the building.”

Sonja Kraus, D.M., a professor in the Department of Music and friend of the Knudsons, shared the importance of having top-quality instruments to practice on.

“The new pianos they provided for our practice rooms have completely transformed those spaces," said Kraus. “Something as fundamental as the instrument in a practice room shapes countless hours of a student’s education, and improving those spaces has made an immeasurable difference in the quality of our students’ daily learning and music-making.”

In addition to new pianos, the Knudsons’ gifts allowed the Department of Music to add cameras and other equipment to upgrade the livestream capabilities in Colton Recital Hall, purchase a wireless PA system for amplifying performances held outdoors or away from campus, and create a road kit, which is a portable recording studio. These purchases make it possible for students to receive the training they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.

“Music learning has been basically the same for centuries. And now, we need to adapt to 21st century music to continue to be a thriving community,” Holdhusen said.

The new equipment particularly benefits the new music industry and technology program, allowing USD’s music students to get experience recording performances, managing sound and video for live performances, and experimenting with recording in creative venues. The program, which was first introduced in the fall of 2023, blends music, business and technology to prepare students for in-demand music careers beyond education and performance. With this equipment, the program is positioned to enhance students’ experience even further and mirror the modern workplace.

“This investment gives an emerging degree program greater depth and strength, while allowing our students to explore, experiment and develop skills with technology that might otherwise be beyond the reach of a growing program,” said Kraus.

Generosity that Resonates

“We're very pleased and honored to be able to make these kinds of gifts to USD,” De said. “We both are South Dakotans and we both love South Dakota. We really have been blessed with more than we deserve, so we feel very obligated to share our blessings.”

Gifts like the Knudsons’ generous contribution to USD’s Department of Music facilities have effects that reverberate through the years, far beyond the moment of giving.

“Thank you doesn't seem like enough,” Holdhusen said. “This is not a gift that we take and utilize today and then is gone tomorrow. This is a gift that will continue to give beyond this year, beyond next year, and on into the future.”

That impact on the department translates into impact on students, creating a foundation that will serve them throughout their lives and careers. “The Knudsons’ generosity is not simply about providing equipment,” Kraus said. “It is about creating an environment in which students have the resources to learn, grow, collaborate and imagine what might be possible for their futures.”

The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the De & Dave Knudson Piano & Music Technology Lab. The event will take place on Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. in Room 135 of the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts on USD’s campus in Vermillion.