Dr. Nathanael May, assistant professor of music at Missouri Western State University, is the winner of The American Prize in Piano Performance-Solo Division in the professional category for 2012.
“I was really excited to have been chosen, and humbled to know of the other pianists who were finalists,” Dr. May said. “This competition provides feedback/evaluation from judges for those who are selected as finalists. For me, this represents a unique opportunity to receive constructive criticism on my work from colleagues in the discipline, which I really feel is a validating experience.”
Dr. May has performed recitals throughout the United States and Europe, presenting research on piano music of the modern era at the World Piano Conference and the Euro-Mediterranean Music Conference, with master classes in Turkey, Serbia, the Netherlands and Italy. He is also the founder and artistic director of the soundSCAPE festival in Italy, at which more than 200 new works have been premiered.
Dr. May believes his experience and success as a performer is helpful as he teaches students at Missouri Western.
“It really motivates students to achieve their potential, knowing that they are studying with an active and recognized artist,” he said. “It is much more evident to them in private lessons that their teacher has the ability to demonstrate, or ‘back up’ his words with performance at the instrument.”
Dr. May was selected from applications from all across the United States. The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions designed to recognize and reward the very best performing artists and ensembles in the country based on recorded performances. The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts.
“Most artists may never win a Grammy award, or a Pulitzer, or a Tony, or perhaps even be nominated, but that does not mean they are not worthy of recognition and reward,” said David Katz, a conductor, composer, playwright, actor and arts advocate who serves as chief judge of The American Prize. “Quality in the arts is not limited to the coasts, or to the familiar names, or only to graduates of the most famous schools. It is on view all over the United States, if you take the time to look for it. The American Prize exists to encourage and herald that excellence.”
For more information on The American Prize, visit www.theamericanprize.org. You can learn more about Dr. May’s work at www.NathanaelMay.com.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.