The 7th annual Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition returns on October 21-22 to the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music! Join festival directors Dr. Artina McCain and Dr. Jonathan Tsay for Friday’s collegiate masterclasses and follow up with a front-row seat at the Faculty and Artists Recital at 7:30 PM!
MIPFC was co-founded in 2016 by professors Cathal Breslin and Artina McCain. The festival began as a small event of masterclasses offered to UofM students by regional professors and an evening extravaganza concert of students, faculty, and guest artists. It has now expanded to an event that has brought over 1,000 people to our campus both in-person and virtually. The competition now has five categories for ages four and up and the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music invites you to join the action!
CONCERTS
- Greg Hartmann Piano Concert
Tuesday, October 18, 20226:30 PMLane Music - Piano Extravaganza Concert including Tonya Gabrielian, Drs. Artina McCain and Jonathan Tsay
Friday, October 21, 20227:30 PMHarris Concert Hall – Music Building
FESTIVAL DIRECTORS
Dr. Artina McCain – Associate Professor of Piano/Area Coordinator of Keyboard Studies
Dr. Artina McCain has been described as a pianist with “power and finesse”, “beautiful and fiery” (KMFA Austin) and having a “sense of color, balance and texture” (Austin Chamber Music Center). McCain has built a three-fold career as a performer, educator and speaker. As a recitalist, her credits include performances at Barbican and Wigmore Hall in London, Seattle Opera, Carnegie and Merkin Hall in New York City and more. Other highlights include guest appearances with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Oregon East Symphony.
“The Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition fosters a community of regionally, nationally, and internationally pianists at the collegiate and pre-college level. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the University of Memphis keyboard area and resources to the Memphis community of piano teachers and students.”
– Dr. Artina McCain
Dr. Jonathan Tsay – Associate Professor of Piano
As a soloist, collaborative pianist, chamber musician, producer, and arts administrator, Dr. Jonathan Tsay maintains an artistic career as diverse as his interests. A recent multi-city tour of Taiwan included solo recital stops at the National Recital Hall in Taipei, Kaohsiung Music Hall, and the Pingtung Arts Center. Other recent solo engagements include performances for the Cilburn, Music at Southminster in Ottawa, Blanco
Performing Arts, and Fine Arts Chamber Players!
GUEST ARTISTS
The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music is honored to have two guest artists performing during the week leading up to the competition on October 22! First, Gregory Hartmann (2018 MIPFC Collegiate Winner) will present a solo recital at Lane Music on Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30 PM. Then, catch Tanya Gabrielian (world-renowned concert artist) in a concert alongside UofM faculty Artina McCain and Jonathan Tsay on Friday, October 21, following her very own masterclass at 1-3 PM in Harris Concert Hall.
Learn more about the Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition and check out more information on guest artists, performers, and more!