Drew Petersen ∙ Daniel Ericourt Artist Residency

Drew Petersen is an acclaimed New York-area based American pianist celebrated for his compelling and poetic performances across a diverse repertoire, from Bach to Zaimont. Recognized as a sought-after soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, he has earned numerous accolades, including the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant, the 2017 American Pianists Awards, and the Christel DeHaan Classical Fellowship.

The 25/26 season includes recitals in series from San Diego, CA to Westfield, NJ with a program ranging from Mozart to Liszt and John Adams, as well as concerto debuts with the Baltimore and Hartford Symphonies. 2018 marked the release of his first solo recording of music by Barber, Carter, and other American composers on the Steinway & Sons label for which BBC Music Magazine acknowledged his presence as a rising star.

A frequent radio contributor, Petersen has performed on platforms such as McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase, From the Top, and Performance Today. His performances and profiles have been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, and the award-winning documentary Just Normal by Kim Snyder. An enthusiastic chamber musician, he has appeared on France Musique as part of a Verbier Festival piano trio.

His inclusion in Andrew Solomon’s bestseller Far From the Tree sparked a national dialogue on raising extraordinary and different children. Dedicated to advocating for classical music and the arts, he was awarded the 2006 Davidson Fellows Award for his project, Keeping Classical Music Alive. He has also collaborated with Young Audiences NY to bring performances to New York City’s public schools.

Petersen is also a passionate traveler whose career takes him all over the world, where he explores new cuisines and connects with locals just as eagerly as he performs for fresh audiences. A Harvard graduate, he earned his Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Social Science with honors at just 19 years old. He also completed both his undergraduate and graduate music studies at the prestigious Juilliard School, where he was awarded the renowned Kovner Fellowship. Deeply committed to the role of music in today’s global society, Petersen has gained a unique perspective on how musical performances can uplift and enrich humanity. Through his extensive concert experience, he hopes to share his musical journey with others, inviting audiences to witness the transformative power of the arts firsthand.

Daniel Ericourt Artist Residency in Piano

The Ericourt Residency honors the artistry of the great French pianist Daniel Ericourt (1903-1998), who held the position of Artist in Residence at the UNCG School of Music from 1963 through 1976. His legacy as an artist teacher is documented by one of his former students, Dr. Judy Hutton, in her 1993 DMA treatise.  In 1994, at the age of ninety, Ericourt played a memorable all-Debussy recital as the guest artist for the UNCG Focus on Piano Literature symposium.  His recordings of the complete piano music of Debussy were reissued on the Ivory Classics label in 2003 to honor the centenary of his birth.

The Ericourt Residency was founded in 2007 through a gift from Mr. Bill Heins, a friend of Daniel Ericourt and a cousin of Mr. Ericourt’s widow Jayne Winfield Ericourt. Jayne continues to be a beloved presence at many School of Music keyboard events.

Since its founding in 2007, the Ericourt Residency has brought these renowned artists to UNCG: José Feghali, Jon Nakamatsu, Jacques Després, Pascal Rogé, David Owen Norris, Charles Richard-Hamelin, Daria Rabotkina, Craig Sheppard, Lydia Artymiw, Sara Davis Buechner, and Inna Faliks.