Role

:

Composer  

 

Paul Barnes is a renowned classical pianist and professor of piano at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Born in 1960 in New York City, Barnes began playing the piano at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from a young age. He went on to study at the Juilliard School, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance. Throughout his career, Barnes has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, both in the United States and abroad. He has collaborated with numerous orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. One of Barnes' most notable performances was his 2008 world premiere of Philip Glass's Piano Concerto No. 2, "After Lewis and Clark," with the Northwest Chamber Orchestra. The concerto was commissioned by Barnes himself, and he worked closely with Glass to bring the piece to life. The performance was met with critical acclaim, and Barnes went on to record the concerto with the Northwest Chamber Orchestra for the Orange Mountain Music label. Barnes has also been recognized for his work as a champion of contemporary classical music. He has premiered numerous works by living composers, including William Bolcom, Augusta Read Thomas, and Carter Pann. In 2010, he released a solo album titled "New Generations: The New Etudes of Philip Glass and Music of the Next Generation," which featured works by Glass as well as several up-and-coming composers. In addition to his work as a performer, Barnes is also a dedicated educator. He has been a professor of piano at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 1989, and has mentored countless young musicians over the years. He is known for his innovative teaching methods, which incorporate technology and interdisciplinary approaches to music education. Barnes has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2009, he was named the Nebraska Music Teachers Association's Artist of the Year. He has also been awarded the Nebraska Arts Council's Individual Artist Fellowship, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Award, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Distinguished Teaching Award. Despite his many accomplishments, Barnes remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform, teach, and advocate for classical music, and is widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential pianists of his generation.

More....