Masterclass: Scott Holden, Piano

Biography

Scott Holden debuted in Carnegie Hall after winning first prize in the 1996 Leschetizky New York Debut Piano Competition. He has performed in over forty states including at The Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall, Moscow’s Svetlanov Hall, Asia and throughout Europe.   He has been broadcast on NPR, NBC, CBC, as well as numerous local networks.  His enthusiastic support of contemporary music has led to a variety of premieres, including William Wallace’s Second Piano Concerto with Keith Lockhart and the Utah Symphony of which The Salt Lake Tribune wrote, “Mr. Holden secured the stage in a virtuosic performance…We were torn between examining every new note passing by our ears, and Holden’s pianistic acrobatics.  It was a wonderful dilemma.”    Recent concerts have brought  him across the country ranging from Alaska to New York, as well as in China, Singapore, Vietnam, and Europe.    Holden returned to Carnegie Hall to play a solo recital in 2018, featuring multiple world premieres included on his newest solo CD “the Unknown Galaxy.”  Fanfare praised the album: “he brings it off with excellence, mastering everything…. It’s safe to say that there is no other piano disc quite like this one.”    His CD, Beyond Vernon Duke, was given the highest five-star rating stating: “Holden exhibits profoundly musical readings with obvious commitment and great attention to detail.” Holden has recorded for Parma, Bridge, Tantara and NAXOS Records.  Recent concerto appearances include concerti by Beethoven, Gershwin and Tchaikovsky.

Holden’s students have been prizewinners in numerous competitions, including first prizes at MTNA national competitions, and the Gina Bachauer.  His students are regularly accepted to the leading graduate programs in the nation.  He travels extensively to adjudicate and give master classes at festivals and pedagogy workshops. 

Holden holds degrees from the University of Michigan (BM), The Juilliard School (MM), and The Manhattan School of Music (DMA).  He studied for a year at The Liszt Academy in Budapest as a Fulbright Scholar. He is on the piano faculty at Brigham Young University, where he was chair of the piano division for 14 years.  He is also a faculty member at Juilliard’s “Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard” in Geneva, Switzerland, where has taught since 2017.

Event Details

How can I attend?

All current Gifted Music School students are invited (and encouraged) to attend at no cost—no tickets or RSVP required. 

Members of the public wishing to observe this masterclass should contact Conservatory Director, Linda Duan, at lduan@giftedmusicschool.org to RSVP. The event will be held in the Leon and Karen F. Peterson Building at Gifted Music School.