MACSA Alumni are making phenomenal accomplishments in their professional careers! For this month’s Center Stage spotlight, we’d like to feature MACSA Alumnus Thomas Steigerwald, a third-year Piano Fellow at the New World Symphony.
Thomas Steigerwald studied with MACSA piano teacher Ken Thompson for 12 years, from age 6-18. He shares that Mr. Thompson was an amazing teacher and that studying with him played an extremely important role in shaping him as an artist. Thomas fondly stated, “I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Thomas was initially inspired to take piano by his older brother, current MACSA piano teacher Peter Steigerwald, and began playing at age 5. He made his orchestral debut at age 18 and holds a master’s degree from The Juilliard School and a bachelor’s degree from Eastman School of Music. Thomas is a medal winner in the Wideman, New York, Dallas Chamber Symphony and San Jose International piano competitions and has pursued a multifaceted career of solo performance, chamber music and orchestral piano.
When asked what he loves most about performing, Thomas shared that it’s “getting to bring people along” on his emotional journey with the music. Through his performance, he hopes to share what the piece makes him feel and make others feel that too.
Thomas’s advice for young musicians: Listen to your teachers! Fundamentals are more important than you might think, and try to enjoy and invest in everything you play, both your favorite pieces and your exercises. He shared that learning to invest in all of the music he played has made a big impact. He stated, “No matter what I do, I love what I play.”
You can watch Thomas Steigerwald perform live this evening in a live streamed recital of 4 world premieres in the New World Symphony’s “Solo Spotlight: American Piano Premieres”. https://nws.edu/..
Additionally, you can check out his first recorded album “Remember”, featuring music by Stanley Grill, recorded with violist Brett Deubner. https://www.
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