My Story
This is my 11-year-old self at my very first piano competition in Urbana, IL. It was the International Piano Competition Johann Sebastian Bach, held at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. I remember feeling so tiny when I walked on that enormous stage, playing a nine-foot piano for the first time.
This was taken after my very first solo recital when I was 12 years old. The biggest memory I have from this was tripping on my dress as I was going up the stairs! Yes, very embarrassing... haha :) | My family has always been my biggest support system and as you can see, it started when I was very young.
The beginning of my adventure in music was very simple. I was 9 years old, and my mother wanted to find something for me to do that would allow me to sit still. We had her childhood piano in the house (a Gulbranson upright), so she thought it would be a good discipline for me to play the piano. Moms always know best! At 11, I won first prize at the International Bach Competition in Champaign, IL, and at 12 gave my first full solo piano recital.
I was so eager to get out of High School and focus on music that I convinced my principal to let me graduate after my Junior year. After the Van Cliburn Competition in 1985, I was off to Juilliard to finish my Bachelor’s degree and then continued at Yale for graduate school. During those years, I spent summers at the Aspen Music Festival, where I was an accompanying fellow. I have always said I was the most fortunate person to have studied with some of the greatest pianists/musicians in the world! Jane Allen, Rita Sloan, Joseph Kalichstein, Peter Frankl, Boris Berman, Claude Frank. Truly grateful.
My career has been like a smorgasbord...from playing high tea at the Ritz Carlton Hotel to orchestral pianist playing in Carnegie Hall. I have enjoyed everything in between and continue to do so. Being on the faculty at the Butler School of Music now is fulfilling a long-time dream of mine. I am so lucky to be working with phenomenal students and faculty...It is a true gift!
In 1988 I was still in graduate school and spent the summer at the Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado. I decided to play a crazy program of not only a concerto, but the Brahms quintet as well (Brahms piano quintet, Mozart 2 piano concerto). Ah...youth! We were the Lost Man Chamber Orchestra; David Perry, Dianne Betkowski, Rita Sloan.
My fabulous, amazing mentor, Rita Sloan, making magical fingering, no doubt, and making me laugh during a master class at Aspen Music Festival and School, Summer of 1988. I think we were working on a Mozart concerto if I can remember that far back. Rita is not only my teacher but a dear friend who has enriched my life in so many ways.
Me in my big glasses stage, goofing around on my friend’s (Linda Li) piano. She found this picture a few years ago and we joked about how I look like I really don’t want to play for anyone! :)
Copyright © 2021 Celeste Boyer Photography