Steinway Piano Gallery of Detroit Newsletter
January 2011
International Scholarship Winners Showcase Talent at
the Steinway Gallery
Audiences at the Poland International Music Festival are in for a treat this summer when they hear this year’s scholarship winners. On Sunday, January 23 our recital hall rang with the graceful sounds of pianists Minako Matsuura and Mizuho Nakada at the Steinway concert grand. All instructors from the festival were present as judges and chose the prizewinners for both their technique and choice of repertoire. But this is only the beginning for these two talented ladies.
Minako Matsuura was born in Sapporo, Japan and began her piano studies at the age of five. She is a post-graduate student, currently living in Leon, Spain. She enjoys concertizing and instructing young pianists at a private school.
Mizuho Nakada was born in Tokyo, Japan and has already been recognized in her home country as a PTNA Competition prizewinner. She lives in Lugano, Switzerland where she performs and is a post-graduate student.
The Poland International Music Festival, founded by Steinway Artist Kazimierz Brzozowski, is in its 15th year of training and providing performance opportunities for talented young pianists at the High School and University level. From July 4 to 15 in Naleczów, Poland students will develop their skills with a diverse panel of instructors, including this year’s guest artist Kevin Kenner – winner of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. The highlight of the program is the opportunity to perform a movement from a piano concerto with the Festival Chamber Orchestra under the baton of conductor Kypros Markou for full audiences in an 18th century palace. This is often the students’ first time playing with orchestra and the debut challenges them to journey from student to artist.
Meet our New Director
of the Maple Arts Academy:
Daniel Drummond
Greetings! Let me introduce myself and my background, and then invite you to visit the Maple Arts Academy to see for yourself what exciting offerings we have for your family.
I was fortunate enough to be a part of a very musical family. All of my siblings were involved in music in some way, whether it was participating in band or taking private lessons. My father was the band director at Grandview High School and made it his personal mission to bring our family into a musical home. His guidance and enthusiasm are the reasons I am pursuing music today as my profession.
In third grade, my father started me on the piano. I soon began participating in piano festivals and competitions all around the Midwest. In my senior year of high school, I competed for the “Top Virtuoso” award at the Mid-America Music Association Festival, and won. I auditioned and was selected as lead trombonist in the Missouri All-State Jazz Band, the lead in our high school’s production of Big: the Musical, and I performed Rhapsody in Blue with my high school wind symphony. I was honored with several awards including the National Arion Award, the John Phillip Sousa Award, and was featured by Fox TV News in a segment titled “Reaching for Excellence.”
I was then ready to take the next step in my musical career. I competed for the Truman Piano Fellowship, and won. The winnings included a full-ride scholarship to Truman State University where I spent four years growing and developing as a musician. After graduating, I joined Park Hill Christian Church as bell and choir director. I led the traditional and contemporary church services on organ and piano respectively. I also taught private piano lessons at the Northland Cathedral School of Music. I continued working for a year before I moved to Ann Arbor, MI.
Since arriving in August of last year, I have been fortunate enough to be asked to become a consultant for Steinway & Sons as well as the Director of Education for the Maple Arts Academy. I encourage each of you to stop by or contact me with your questions about the many learning opportunities available for your family at the Maple Arts Academy. You can reach me at 248-560-9200 or
daniel.r.drummond@gmail.com .
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A Steady Treat for Detroit Jazz Fans
Come rain or come shine hundreds of Detroit jazz fans fill the hall at the Steinway Piano Gallery of Detroit. Every month, the vibrant and pulsing atmosphere has yet to allow a single soul to sit still in their seats. These premier musicians from the Motor City always inspire feet tapping and fingers snapping…
…so why haven’t you been to the Jazz Café?
Here’s your next chance to join the party:
Wednesday, February 9 at 7:oopm
Steinway Jazz Café: A Valentine’s Cabaret promises to be a unique and exciting performance by acclaimed guest vocalists Daniel & Lauren Skuce Gross with Cliff Monear, Paul Keller and Sean Dobbins. Seating is limited, so please RSVP to Cathy at 248-560-9200 or
cloudon@steinwaydetroit.com . Minimum suggested donation: $8.
and a sneak preview of the March Jazz Café:
Wednesday, March 23 at 7:oopm
Remembering Mr. and Mrs. Swing presented by Paul Keller and Friends. Talented local artists “play the roles” of legendary jazz percussionist Red Norvo and his equally popular wife, jazz & pop vocalist Mildred Bailey in a tribute to the star couple of the Swing Era. You’ll want to bring friends – this is going to be a memorable experience!
Have you seen our YouTube channel? It’s full of exciting artist previews, plus we’ve recently included new videos from prior Jazz Café performances.
Take a look here!
Michigan Steinway Artist Profile
Mark Markham
Internationally acclaimed Steinway Artist Mark Markham came to Michigan’s Grand Valley State University in 2008 as the artist faculty in piano after almost a decade of national and international performances while living in the south of France. Prior to this time he was a ten year faculty member of The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Mr. Markham holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the Peabody Conservatory in Piano Performance. Concert tours (over 200 concerts in 25 countries in total) with star soprano Jessye Norman have kept him busy traveling and performing around the world since 1995. His passion for teaching has developed a private studio in France with students from around the globe and his reputation in vocal coaching & accompaniment is widespread.
Archiv Music:
Bringing Steinway Artists to Your Home
ArchivMusic boasts the largest selection of classical recordings on the web, including albums by your favorite Steinway Artists. Our recommendation is the recent release of Symphonies on a Steinway: a pianist’s perspective on one of the greatest symphonic cycles of all.
Click here to listen to sound clips and find purchase information.
Upcoming Events
What to know and when to go in February & March…
Wed 2/9, 7pm
The Steinway Jazz Café: A Valentine’s Cabaret
Sat 2/19, 10am – 3pm
JW Pepper Music Fair:
Bringing the sheet music store to you!
*free shipping on all orders placed at the fair*
Sun, 3/13 at 3:00pm
Deborrah Wyndham:
Concert pianist/composer in Solo Piano Concert
Wed, 3/23 at 7:00pm
The Steinway Jazz Café:
Remembering Mr. & Mrs. Swing
TBD - Coming Soon
Schoolcraft College Jazz Ensemble: Big Band Night
For more details and updates throughout the month,
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