The second Midwest International Piano Competition is in full swing at UNI’s Gallagher-Bluedorn in Cedar Falls! The world-renowned pianists and teachers serving as this year’s judges include Eric Larsen, Craig Sheppard, and Nelita True.
American pianist Eric Larsen has established himself as one of the most versatile artists of his generation. He tours regularly in Russia, Europe, Asia and throughout the United States. He is in demand internationally for both solo piano and chamber music master classes and has been on the jury of numerous American and European international piano competitions.
Craig Sheppard has been performing internationally for nearly fifty years. A graduate of both the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School, he won the Silver Medal of the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition in 1972. While living in Great Britain, Sheppard taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Guildhall School, plus conducted master classes at Oxford and Cambridge. Sheppard returned to this country in 1993 to become Professor of Piano at the School of Music of the University of Washington.
Nelita True made her debut at age seventeen with the Chicago Symphony in Orchestra Hall and her New York debut with the Juilliard Orchestra in Avery Fisher Hall. Her career has taken her to all the major cities of Europe, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Iceland, New Zealand, Brazil, Australia, Canada, India, and the U.S. along with Hong Kong and Singapore. Formerly Distinguished Professor at the University of Maryland, Ms. True is currently Professor of Music at the Eastman School of Music.
Tomorrow, meet the three finalists!
