Music Conservatory of Westchester • Faculty

Joshua Pierce was born in New York and pursued his early music studies at the Juilliard pre-college division, where he was a winner of the Heckscher Foundation award. He later earned his masters degree at the Manhattan School of Music and did postgraduate work at Columbia University.

After completing his studies, he went on to pursue a major concert career, performing at venues all over Europe, the United States, Asia and South America. “Traveling the world was very exciting, especially when I got to be the first American artist to make a recording in post-Soviet Russia.”

A dedicated teacher, Mr. Pierce has held faculty positions at the Bloomingdale School, Newark Center for the Arts, Brooklyn College, and Amherst College. He has also served on the International Fulbright Commission, and has received the IBLA Foundation Award (2004) and the German Music Critics Prize (1991).

“I believe that music must speak directly to the heart and soul of each student, young or old, in order to create that special bond between the performer and his/her instrument. I thoroughly enjoy bringing out each student’s creativity in a relaxed and congenial manner, and responding to the individual student’s learning process. You can spend many sessions on a particular problem. The joy comes when that “light bulb” goes off and the student grasps a challenging concept. This inspires the student, enabling him/her to approach each new challenge in a positive and success-oriented manner.”

Mr. Pierce’s broad performing activities have included a ppearances with major orchestras, from Westchester ’s own Philharmonia Virtuosi to Europe ’s finest, including the London Philharmonia, Moscow State Philharmonic, Berlin Radio Symphony, Czech National Symphony and many others. New York appearances include Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, Merkin Hall and others. He has been heard on radio broadcasts on National Public Radio and WQXR, and has recorded over 45 albums for Sony, Kleos, Helicon , EMI, Carlton , Pro Arte, Wergo, MSR Classics, and many other labels. He is the recipient of numerous Grammy Award nominations, a nomination for the 23rd International Franz Liszt Grand Prix du Disque, and citations from Downbeat, Billboard, Fanfare, Keyboard, CD Review ("10-10" Highest Rating).

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Conservatory faculty are all highly skilled and experienced teachers. Teachers are assigned to maximize the learning experience of each student taking into account the students musical interests and goals, age and scheduling needs.

"I am very happy and proud of Jun Luke Foster’s and Benjamin Boventer’s achievements. I taught Jun Luke for 12 years and his acceptance to Juilliard School of Music is a great sign of his musical maturity and accomplishment. He was also accepted to Harvard and Yale. Benjamin was with me for five years. He won a prestigious $40,000 scholarship from Skidmore College for music studies. He was the only pianist in that competition who received this award. He was also accepted at Tufts University. It is very satisfying to know that our students continue to achieve such success." —Svetlana Gorokovich, MCW Faculty

Conservatory faculty are all highly skilled and experienced teachers. Teachers are assigned to maximize the learning experience of each student taking into account the students musical interests and goals, age and scheduling needs.

"I am very happy and proud of Jun Luke Foster’s and Benjamin Boventer’s achievements. I taught
Jun Luke for 12 years and his acceptance to Juilliard School of Music is a great sign of his musical maturity and accomplishment. He was also accepted to Harvard and Yale. Benjamin was with me for five years. He won a prestigious $40,000 scholarship from Skidmore College for music studies. He was the only pianist in that competition who received this award. He was also accepted at Tufts University. It is very satisfying to know that our students continue to achieve such success."
—Svetlana Gorokovich, MCW Faculty

Joshua Pierce | Piano

Music Conservatory of Westchester • 216 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606
914.761.3900 • info@musiced.org

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