Andrew Staupe, Piano

Pianist Andrew Staupe, frequent concerto soloist and prizewinner, is noted for his “superb technique and control” and is “a performer to watch.” (St. Paul Pioneer Press) Most recently Staupe was selected as guest artist in the “New Masters on Tour” for the 2009-2010 season. This European concert management organization, hosted by the International Holland Music Sessions of which Staupe was a 2008 participant, provides solo performances in many distinguished concert halls throughout Europe including the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. In addition, he has garnered first prizes in a number of piano competitions, including the 2006 Minnesota Orchestra’s WAMSO Young Artist Competition. Recently he collaborated with Grammy-nominated contemporary group Relâche, performing and recording a world premiere composition by Christopher Goddard. Upcoming appearances include performances the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Additionally, in February 2006 Staupe won the Seventh Annual Elinor Watson Bell Piano Competition held at the University of Minnesota. In 2003, Staupe placed first in the Schubert Club Scholarship Competition, the Thursday Musical Student Competition, the Mechelke Piano Competition, and the University of Minnesota Concerto Competition.

Staupe was a guest artist on the Minnesota Orchestra’s 2007-2008 season, performing Rachmaninoff’s First Piano Concerto under the direction of Mischa Santora in March 2008. David Hawley’s article “Rising Star Andrew Staupe Shimmers with Orchestra” in the St. Paul Pioneer Press includes “Staupe performed with great energy and confidence… Judging by the shining moments displayed in Thursday’s performance, this is a career on the rise and a performer to watch.” Staupe will appear with the Minnesota Orchestra for the fourth time in July 2009, performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G minor with Sommerfest Director Andrew Litton. He also appeared with the Minnesota Orchestra in July 2006 under the direction of Music Director Osmo Vänskä, performing Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto. Michael Anthony of the Star Tribune writes “Staupe’s Liszt performance Saturday was impressive. He easily surmounted the formidable technical hurdles, taking Liszt’s big double- octave passages at breathtaking speed while sustaining maximum clarity and an intensity that never seemed forced…The result, from the audience, was a standing ovation.” He also appeared with the Minnesota Orchestra in March 2005, performing Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals under the direction of Daniel Alfred Wachs. He has performed with numerous local orchestras in Minnesota including the Bloomington Symphony, St. Paul Civic, and the Kenwood Chamber Orchestra.

A native of Minneapolis, Staupe is currently completing his D.M.A in Piano Performance at Rice University in Houston. He has been studying with concert pianist and Professor of Piano Jon Kimura Parker since Fall of 2008. Staupe completed his B.M. and M.M. in Piano Performance at the University of Minnesota, studying with concert pianist and Distinguished McKnight Professor Lydia Artymiw.