Birth

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1988 in Princeton, NJ

 

Michelle Naughton is a highly acclaimed classical pianist known for her virtuosic performances and musical sensitivity. Born on May 28, 1988, in Princeton, New Jersey, Naughton began playing the piano at the age of four. She grew up in a musical family, with her mother being a pianist and her father a violinist. Naughton's early musical education was under the guidance of her mother, who taught her the basics of piano playing. Naughton's talent was evident from a young age, and she began performing in public at the age of six. She won her first competition at the age of eight, and by the time she was twelve, she had already performed with several orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Naughton continued her musical education at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she studied with renowned pianist Gary Graffman. She also studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky at the Juilliard School in New York City. Naughton's talent and hard work paid off, and she graduated from both institutions with top honors. Naughton's career as a professional pianist began in earnest in 2009, when she won the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition. This win catapulted her to international fame, and she began performing in major concert halls around the world. Naughton has since performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of Naughton's most notable performances was her debut at Carnegie Hall in 2011. She performed a program of works by Schubert, Brahms, and Ravel to critical acclaim. The New York Times praised her "impressive technique and musicality," and called her performance "a revelation." Naughton has also made a name for herself as a chamber musician, performing with her twin sister, Christina Naughton, as the Naughton Duo. The sisters have performed together at major festivals and concert series around the world, including the Ravinia Festival, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. In addition to her performances, Naughton is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught masterclasses at institutions such as the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Naughton is also a faculty member at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where she teaches piano and chamber music. Naughton's talent and hard work have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In addition to her win at the Naumburg International Piano Competition, she has also won the Gilmore Young Artist Award, the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and the Astral Artists National Auditions. She was also named a Steinway Artist in 2011. Naughton's discography includes several critically acclaimed recordings. Her debut album, "Virtuoso," features works by Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Ravel, and was praised by Gramophone magazine for its "dazzling virtuosity and musical intelligence." Her second album, "American Classics," features works by Gershwin, Barber, and Copland, and was named one of the best classical albums of 2016 by NPR. In conclusion, Michelle Naughton is a highly accomplished classical pianist who has made a name for herself as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher.

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