Blog

Lee Clifford, Director of Marketing for the American Pianists Association, recently joined our new CEO, Chris Williams, downtown Indianapolis. Over a cup of coffee, they delved into Chris' journey to the organization, his views on nurturing young talent and what he envisions for the future of jazz and classical music.

2004 American Pianists Awards winner Adam Birnbaum has created fresh, improvisatory arrangements of Bach for his latest album, "Preludes."

2011 American Pianists Awards winner Aaron Diehl's latest release features composer Mary Lou Williams' "Zodiac Suite" performed with NYC-based orchestra, The Knights.

Young stars, GRAMMY winners and trailblazers: Olga Kern, Isaiah J. Thompson, Kenny Broberg, Cyrus Chestnut, Bill Charlap and Sara Davis Buechner perform in our ninth edition of Grand Encounters!

“Goyescas” by Enrique Granados is a collection of piano pieces inspired by the paintings of Francisco Goya. The suite portrays the lives and passions of the majos, dashing folk of 18th-century Madrid who distinguished themselves by their exaggerated outfits and elaborate style in dress and manners. American Pianists Awards finalist Michael Davidman offers his thoughts on the piece to accompany his performance in this special edition of Five Things.

Violinist Maria Ioudenitch's debut album, “Songbird,” is a journey through song, with a thoughtfully curated collection of arrangements, untouched renditions and songful instrumental works. Maria’s friend and musical collaborator, 2021 American Pianists Awards winner Kenny Broberg, proved the perfect partner for this acclaimed project.

We are thrilled to announce that Chris Williams will step into the role of President and CEO of the American Pianists Association starting July 10, taking over for interim CEO Joanne Bennett.

Each piece in György Ligeti’s "Musica Ricercata" is built around a specific set of pitch classes, gradually increasing in complexity. Here are Five Things to listen for in a selection of pieces performed by American Pianists Awards finalist Henry Kramer.

We are filled with joy looking back on the 2023 American Pianists Awards! Caelan, Esteban, Paul, Thomas and Isaiah played brilliantly throughout the entire competition, and we are thrilled to see what comes next for each. We invite you to watch highlights from all of the performances and community engagement of the season and read coverage of Isaiah's thrilling win.

Isaiah J. Thompson Wins the 2023 American Pianists Awards

“Rio Sakairi has singlehandedly influenced New York's current jazz scene more than anyone I know," proclaims jazz pianist and 2013 MacArthur “genius" grant winner Vijay Iyer. We chatted with Rio ahead of her service on the 2023 American Pianists Awards finals jury.

Jazz House at the American Pianists Awards

Brent Wallarab, co-founder of the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, has been making custom big band arrangements for the American Pianists Awards since 2003. Go behind the scenes to learn about the process!

Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist, and is considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. In the first of an occasional series, we offer five things to listen for in his Suite, Op. 14.

In the fifth episode of a series, we visit 2023 American Pianists Awards finalist Isaiah J. Thompson on his 25th birthday weekend.

We visit Caelan Cardello on one of his final days on campus at William Paterson University in New Jersey for the fourth installment of our series.

2006 American Pianists Awards winner Spencer Myer recently recorded Frédéric Chopin's four Impromptus for Steinway Classics. Listen to him discuss why he thinks the other three Impromptus are underappreciated compared to the famous Fantaisie Impromptu and how "Chopin's music is deeply emotionally connected and communicates the human spirit."

2022 saw a revival of the arts and a new era of artistic growth for past winners of the American Pianists Awards. Here is a look at what some of them were up to:

In the third episode of the series, we spend A Day in the Life of 2023 American Pianists Awards finalist Thomas Linger at home in Queens during a busy week of performing and teaching.

American Pianists Awards laureate Eric Zuber's new album, "The Young Chopin" explores some of the composer's early works “when he was flexing his pianistic muscles." Award-winning writer, pianist, composer and lecturer Stuart Isacoff explores the repertoire.

On break from his teaching position at Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid, 2021 American Pianists Awards winner Kenny Broberg returned to the States for a whirlwind week of music-making.

In the second episode of our series, we spend A Day in the Life of 2023 American Pianists Awards finalist Paul Cornish.

Take a peek into the life of 2023 American Pianists Awards finalist Esteban Castro though our new short documentary series, A Day in the Life.

In a special edition of Living the Classical Life, the show travels to Indianapolis to observe the five finalists at the American Pianists Awards in summer of 2021.

Caelan Cardello, Esteban Castro, Paul Cornish, Thomas Linger and Isaiah J. Thompson take five for some Q&A at the piano.

What do Dvořák, a 200th anniversary and the world's worst car have in common? Kenny Broberg touring the Czech Republic!

The world was treated to a preview of the 2023 American Pianists Awards last month with two special gatherings in New York City.

American Pianists Association is thrilled to welcome new board members Hillary Egan, Christia Hicks and Deborah Hearn Smith, each of whom brings a wealth of knowledge and singular experience.

American Pianists Awards winner Drew Petersen joins Dance Kaleidoscope and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra for Music Moves, a collaborative celebration showcasing Ravel, Bernstein, Brahms, Handel and Kilar.

This month we welcome a new staff member at the American Pianists Association. Meet Leigh Ann Hirschman, our new Director of Advancement!