Nancy Weems
Nancy Weems | Juror
Year
- 2018
Nancy Weems has performed extensively in the United States, Europe, Asia, Mexico, Central America, and the former Soviet Union to wide critical acclaim. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and the University of Texas, her solo appearances include concerts in fourteen foreign countries, in addition to the U.S. After a recital in Reykjavik, Iceland, one critic called her “a rare treasure… Nancy Weems is an extraordinary pianist, grand in scope, and powerful in her interpretation, possessing fantastic technique.” In Mexico City, a reviewer stated that “Nancy Weems is gradually beginning to occupy the place of one of the top international pianists in Mexico.” A Houston Post article reported, “The young performer put an amazing display of energy and keyboard technique into a recital that went from strength to strength.”
In l984, Ms. Weems won the Artistic Ambassador Competition sponsored by the United States Information Agency in Washington, D.C. As a result, Ms. Weems represented the United States in an international concert tour, including the countries of Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and the U.S.S.R. In March, l987, Ms. Weems presented a solo debut recital at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The music critic of The Washington Post praised “Weems’ powerful technique” and “delightful mix of strength and flexibility.” In 1987, Ms. Weems was invited for a second international tour to the countries of Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Costa Rica and in 1993, to Taiwan and Hong Kong. In addition, Ms. Weems has represented the United States in the 1981 Van Cliburn International Competition, and won top awards in the International Recording Competition. She has appeared as guest artist with numerous symphony orchestras, and has given master classes in music schools and conservatories in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the West Indies. Ms. Weems was an exchange professor and guest performer at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England; Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul, Korea; and in 2008, the International Piano Master Class Series of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Currently, Nancy Weems is Professor and Division Chair of the piano area at the University of Houston Moores School of Music in Houston, Texas. Her students have won top awards in many national and international competitions including the first prizes in the MTNA Collegiate Artist Competition, the Corpus Christi Young Artist Competition, and the Nena Wideman National Young Artist Concerto Competition. Many of her current and former students now hold positions in music schools and universities worldwide, and several have successful performing careers under professional artist management. A dedicated teacher, she was named the Outstanding Collegiate Teacher in 1991 by the Texas Music Teachers Association, and received a University of Houston Teaching Excellence Award in 1995. Professor Weems regularly presents lectures, recitals and teacher workshops and has been a featured MTNA convention artist for the states of New York, Washington, Minnesota, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas. In addition, Ms. Weems has been a frequent presenter at the Music Teachers National Association Convention and the World Piano Pedagogy Conferences.
Ms. Weems has recorded for the Albany and the Bay Cities labels. The recording, “Classical Hollywood” was nominated for a Grammy award in 1990. In addition, she has been featured in recordings of American composers Arnold Rosner and Chris Theofanidis.
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