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Sandra Shapiro, piano
“A sensitive, passionate and noble Muse…Compelling…Brilliant…Liquid sound and colors..Great artistry…”, are descriptions that have been attributed to pianist, Sandra Shapiro.
Ms. Shapiro enjoys an active career as performer, teacher, adjudicator and recording artist throughout the United States and Europe. Known as a versatile performer, she appears as soloist both in recitals and with orchestras, and as a highly sought-after chamber musician in the United States and Europe. She has received national and international awards along with glowing reviews and recognition in each of these areas.
The 2018 season marked the debut of Ms. Shapiro’s four-part project entitled: “Musical Roots-An Exploration of Cultural Heritage and Musical Influences”. As the daughter and sister of Russian-Israeli immigrants, Ms. Shapiro has devoted Parts I and II of the project to examine the role each of these cultures has had in shaping her musical orientation and has chosen musical works to reflect her family’s journey and rich heritage. Further information about the project, can be found on Ms. Shapiro’s website: www.Sandra-Shapiro.com.
Ms. Shapiro began her studies at the age of three and a half, and by age 11, was performing in recitals and as a soloist with orchestras. Because of her prodigious talent, Ms. Shapiro left home at age 15 to study at the Juilliard School upon the recommendation of her mentor, Gina Bachauer. Her teacher's and greatest musical influences include Leon Fleisher, John Perry, Nadia Reisenberg, Pierre Sancan and Guido Agosti.
Ms. Shapiro's performances have taken her throughout most major cities in the United States and Europe. She has been featured in radio and television productions for RIAS Berlin; Sudwestfunk Radio Production, PBS; WQXR, NPR McGrawHill Young Artist Showcase, and NPR.
As a soloist, orchestral appearances include the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Stuttgart Symphony, Bavarian Radio Symphony, Belgrade String Orchestra, Brevard Festival Orchestra, Florida Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Everett Symphony, New Mexico Symphony, as well as Cleveland Orchestra appearances at both Severance Hall and the Blossom Music Festival.
The laureate of many National and International Competitions, awards and prizes include First Prizes in the Young Musician's Foundation National Debut Competition, and The World Piano Competition, as well as a laureate in the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition. Other recognitions include the “Outstanding Chamber Musician Award” from the University of Southern California, and the “Young Maestro Award” from the Peabody Institute of Music.
Her great love for chamber music has led to collaborations with Truls Mork, Peter Rejto, Stanley Drucker, Mats Lidstrom, Franklin Cohen, Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson and members of the New York Philharmonic on the New York Philharmonic’s Chamber Music Series.
As a member of the renowned duo-piano team of Hecht & Shapiro, other laureates include winning the Munich International Duo Piano Competition, the Ellis National Duo Piano Competition, and top prizes in the Dranoff International Two Piano Competition, and the International Jeunesses Musicales Competition.
Additionally, Ms. Shapiro has performed extensively as a duo with Czech violinist, Ivan Zenaty. Their partnership has taken them throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. Highlights include recitals at Carnegie Hall, the Prague Spring Festival, Czech Philharmonic Chamber Music Series in the famed Rudolfinum, and the Palau de la Música de Valencia.
The Zenaty-Shapiro Duo’s first joint recording consisting of the Strauss Sonata and Martinu Sonata H.303. received a rave review from Gramophone Magazine's feature of highlights in September, citing "they breathe as one, shaping phrases with utmost unanimity of purpose and flexibility..whets the appetite for more of their distinctive artistry".
Other recordings include "Sentimiento" on the Azica label as well as a collaboration with the principal wind players of the New York Philharmonic in an album entitled "The Complete Music of Robert Schumann for Winds and Piano”.
An experienced and recognized teacher, Ms. Shapiro is highly sought-after for master classes, symposiums, faculty and student evaluations, and adjudication both nationally and internationally. Her students have garnered awards and top prizes in numerous competitions, as well as securing positions in highly-regarded schools and universities.
As a member of the Artist-Teaching faculty, Ms. Shapiro’s summer residencies have included the Montecito International Music Festival, MusicFest Perugia, and continue with Talent Music Masters Festival and academy in Brescia, Italy. She is a member of the Piano and Chamber Music faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Ms. Shapiro is a Steinway Artist