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Composer  

 

Michael Shea was born on May 12, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a classical pianist and his mother a violinist. From a young age, Shea showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. As a child, Shea was enrolled in the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division, where he received rigorous training in classical piano. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance in 2007. During his time at Juilliard, Shea studied under renowned pianists such as Yoheved Kaplinsky and Jerome Lowenthal. After graduating from Juilliard, Shea went on to pursue a Master of Music degree at the Yale School of Music. There, he studied under Boris Berman and earned his degree in 2009. During his time at Yale, Shea was awarded the Elizabeth Parisot Prize for outstanding pianism. Shea's career as a concert pianist began to take off after he won the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2013. The competition, held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. Shea's performance of works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann impressed the judges and earned him the top prize. Following his win at the Van Cliburn Competition, Shea began to receive invitations to perform with major orchestras around the world. He made his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 2014, performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 under the baton of Alan Gilbert. The performance was widely praised, with The New York Times calling Shea's playing "virtuosic and deeply expressive." Shea's career continued to flourish in the years that followed. He performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among others. He also made several recordings, including a critically acclaimed album of works by Chopin and Liszt. In addition to his performing career, Shea was also a dedicated teacher. He served on the faculty of the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division and gave masterclasses at universities and conservatories around the world. Tragically, Shea's career was cut short when he died in a car accident on December 15, 2018, at the age of 33. His death was a shock to the classical music world, and many musicians and fans mourned the loss of such a talented and promising artist. In the years since his death, Shea's legacy has continued to live on. His recordings and performances are still celebrated by classical music enthusiasts, and his former students continue to carry on his teachings. In 2019, the Michael Shea Memorial Fund was established to support young pianists and honor Shea's memory. Michael Shea was a gifted pianist whose talent and dedication to his craft earned him international acclaim. Though his career was tragically cut short, his legacy as a musician and teacher continues to inspire and influence generations of classical musicians.

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