Aaron Kurz Pianist

Biography | Awards & Recognition

Biography

Aaron Kurz playing the piano

Aaron became interested in piano at the age of two after watching Baby Mozart videos. Shortly afterwards, Aaron began his piano studies with Ethel Fang at the Suzuki Institute of Dallas. He soon began composing minuets and other short pieces, and in August 2002, just before his seventh birthday, Aaron was named the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Kid of the Month.

Following his graduation from the Suzuki method in October 2004, Aaron began studying with Dr. Carol Leone, Chair of the Keyboard Department and Associate Professor at SMU Meadows School of the Arts. He also started taking theory and composition classes in the school’s Piano Preparatory Department.

Upon completing fifth grade in June 2006, Aaron traveled to the Mozart Festival in Vienna, Austria to study at the Bösendorfer International Piano Academy and the University of Music in Vienna (formerly called the Vienna Conservatory).

Aaron has been a prizewinner in many state, national, and international competitions. He was the first place winner of both the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) Texas State Competitions for Junior Piano and was an MTNA National Finalist. Three notable International Competitions in which he was a prizewinner include the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, and the Viardo International Piano Competition. Some of Aaron’s most exciting experiences include playing at Carnegie Hall after being named a first place winner of the Bradshaw and Buono Competition in New York and playing at Salle Cortot in Paris, France as a result of his Viardo International Piano Competition performance. He also played live on FOX TV’s “Good Day” morning show.

Music touches every area of my life.

My earliest memories connect with my first piano lessons at the age of three, and my family has a deep background of artistic involvement. Performing allows me to communicate with audiences; composing provides me with creative expression, and an understanding of structure and form in art.

In the first four months of 2010, Aaron debuted with three different orchestras while also working as a guest pianist with the Van Cliburn Foundation in its Musical Awakenings Program. This program helps introduce classical music to 2nd through 4th graders via an interactive format which enables students to approach music through multiple intelligences. It also addresses national standards in the arts for musical education.

Aaron currently lives in Dallas, Texas where he attends Greenhill School as a tenth grader. He has one sibling, loves sports, video games, and continues to compose music in his spare time.

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Music has taught me the value of discipline and perseverance as well. Additionally, it is a reflection of the deeper aspects of my personality, and it offers me a future of challenges and accomplishment. Most importantly, I enjoy playing piano tremendously and couldn’t imagine life without it.

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Awards & Recognition