Takeshi Nagayasu - 2026 Award Winner 

Pianist Takeshi Nagayasu has been recognized and won many top prizes in competitions such as the Jacob Flier, Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin, Borderland Chopin International, and the International Robert Schumann Competition in Germany. He recently reached the semifinal round and received a special prize for the best interpretation of Fauré Impromptu at the Concours International Long-Thibaud in Paris. He is a recipient of multiple scholarships including awards from the Feltsman Piano Foundation and the Detroit Federation of Musicians, the Evelyn Bonar Storrs Scholarship from the Musical Club of Hartford, Dominique Weber Scholarship from the Gijon international piano festival, as well as the Clara Wells Fellowship from the American Matthay Association. He has appeared with orchestras including the Seocho Philharmonia in South Korea, Clara Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany, and Ocean Foundation Festival Orchestra in New York.

Takeshi studied at Juilliard, Yale, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Michigan. Takeshi is also a composer who has studied with Philip Lasser. His music has been performed and premiered in events like Portland International Piano Festival, Michigan Recording Project, and the Gijón International Piano Festival in Spain. As an organist, he attained the Colleague Certification from The American Guild of Organists. Performance highlights include appearance at the Division Street Pipes Concert Series, collaboration with Ann Arbor Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Chelsea Chamber Players, Hometown Holiday Concert Orchestra and Choir. He is also studying fortepianos and harpsichord with Matthew Bengtson and carillon with Jenna Hyojin Moon.

Concert Details:

He will perform Piano Concerto No. 1 in F# minor, Op. 1 by Sergei Rachmaninoff with the University City Symphony Orchestra on a date yet to be determined.