George Lepauw is a classical pianist and cultural entrepreneur who has made a name for himself as a performer, producer, and advocate for the arts. Born in Paris, France, in 1979, Lepauw grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to classical music from an early age. His mother was a pianist and his father was a conductor, and they encouraged him to pursue his passion for music. Lepauw began playing the piano at the age of four and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied with some of the best teachers in France, including Yvonne Loriod, who was a student of Olivier Messiaen. Lepauw also studied at the Paris Conservatory and the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he earned his master's degree in piano performance. In 2002, Lepauw moved to the United States to continue his studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his doctorate in piano performance in 2008 and began building a career as a performer and producer. Lepauw has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Berlin Philharmonic. One of Lepauw's most notable performances was his 2013 concert at the Chicago Cultural Center, where he played the complete works of Chopin in a single day. The concert, which lasted over 12 hours, was a feat of endurance and showcased Lepauw's technical skill and musicality. The event was also a fundraiser for the International Beethoven Project, a nonprofit organization that Lepauw founded to promote classical music and cultural exchange. In addition to his work as a performer, Lepauw is also a producer and curator of cultural events. He has organized numerous concerts and festivals, including the Beethoven Festival in Chicago, which features performances by some of the world's top classical musicians. Lepauw is also the founder of the Silenced Voices project, which seeks to promote the music of composers who were persecuted or silenced during the Holocaust. Lepauw has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a musician and cultural entrepreneur. In 2012, he was named a Steinway Artist, an honor reserved for the world's top pianists. He has also been recognized by the French government for his contributions to the arts and was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2015. Despite his success, Lepauw remains committed to promoting classical music and cultural exchange. He continues to perform and produce concerts and festivals around the world, and he is a passionate advocate for the arts. Through his work with the International Beethoven Project and the Silenced Voices project, Lepauw is helping to ensure that classical music remains a vital and relevant art form for generations to come.

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