Concert Pianist Pierce Emata Returns to SUU

Published: February 23, 2017 | Author: Ashley Pollock | Read Time: 2 minutes

Pierce EmataThe Department of Music at Southern Utah University will host Pierce Emata, pianist, on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Thorley Recital Hall. Emata will also be teaching a master class from 2 to 4 p.m. Both, master class and concert, are free and open to the public. Audience members will be treated to works by Frédéric Chopin, Claude Debussy, and George Gershwin.

With his Bachelor and Master degrees from Indiana University, Emata coached with international concert pianists Alfonso Montecino, John Ogdon, and Gyorgy Sebok. He has also coached with Istvan Nadas, as well as John Simms of the University of Iowa. Emata is currently living in Las Vegas and is a member of the summer piano faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. This international arts camp serves 2,700 students from over 50 countries each year.

Emata performed at SUU in 1992. He said, “I'm delighted to be returning to SUU to perform an eclectic program that ranges from Chopin to George Gershwin, and the Utah premiere of a piece by Cuban-American composer Michael Colina, written in 2001. This program consists of pieces that I feel a close affinity to, and enjoy sharing with audiences.”

As a recipient of artist project grants and fellowships from the Indiana and Nevada arts commissions for his work in performing, recording, and composition, he gives back to the surrounding communities. Emata’s series of informal commentary concerts, trademarked and titled Concerts & Conversation, has been widely presented throughout the Midwestern and Western United States, with broadcasts on NPR affiliates in Washington, Idaho, and South Dakota.

Angie Hanks, Sophomore Music Education Major, said, "It is really cool to have guest artists on campus, especially with the master classes, because you can actually see them apply what they teach."

Enjoy this special master class and recital by guest pianist, Pierce Emata. For more information about Emata, please visit www.emata.com.

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