Pierre’s Piano News August 2025
August 28, 2025
Dear friends,
As summer winds down here in Michigan, I am reflecting with deep gratitude on all that is happening at The Gilmore. Our team is hard at work preparing for a vibrant fall season of Rising Stars, as well as the next Festival, which will now be annual. Each time we return to the Rising Stars Series, I am reminded of the unique joy it brings: the opportunity to experience the artistry and promise of young musicians who are shaping the future of piano music. This fall, we are honored to welcome four exceptional artists: Chelsea Guo, Luther S. Allison, Giorgi Gigashvili, and Miki Yamanaka. It will be a privilege to present them to you.
In the midst of fall preparations, one of this year’s special highlights has been the selection process for the Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Awards, named in honor of Larry J. Bell, founder of Bell’s Brewery and our former president of the Board of Trusties. We look forward to celebrating the first recipients of this distinguished award in 2026. Announcements of the awardees will take place in September and October, so keep your eyes peeled!
Our education and community programs have also flourished this summer. Our dedicated education team recently wrapped up another joyful week of Piano Camp, where more than 30 young musicians–including my own children–came together for music-making and exploration. We were also grateful to deepen our partnerships with local organizations such as Binder Park Zoo and El Concilio, broadening the reach and impact of our work in the community.
Looking ahead, excitement is building for the 2026 Gilmore International Piano Festival. I’m pleased to share that we will announce the festival lineup on November 19 at our annual Festival Preview Party. Donors of $250 or more will receive an invitation to this special evening. We are profoundly grateful for your support and thrilled to be approaching the first of what promises to be many annual Gilmore Piano Festivals.
Thank you, as always, for being part of The Gilmore family. Your enthusiasm and generosity make all that we do possible, and we look forward to sharing another season of music with you.
Warmly,
The Gilmore Rising Stars Series
We’re excited to share the lineup for the 2025 Gilmore Rising Stars Series — and it promises to be an extraordinary season. The Gilmore Rising Stars Series has a proud history of showcasing exceptional young pianists just before they rise to international acclaim, giving audiences a rare opportunity to hear the leading artists of tomorrow.
This season, we are thrilled to welcome two outstanding classical pianists and two dynamic jazz trios, each bringing their own distinctive style and voice to the stage.
Chelsea Guo
Sunday, September 21 | 4 PM | Cori Terry Theatre, Epic Center
Winner of the 2020 National Chopin Competition, Guo also won the 2022 Young Concert Artists International Auditions as both pianist and vocalist, the double award a first in the institution’s history. Gilmore audiences will experience both facets of Guo’s stellar career in her recital.
Luther S. Allison Trio
Saturday, October 4 | 5 & 8 PM | Cori Terry Theatre, Epic Center
Winner of a 2024 GRAMMY Award for his work with vocalist Samara Joy, Luther S. Allison is one of today’s most in-demand jazz artists. Having grown up in the south, Allison’s unique style is rooted in blues and gospel, with strong influences from bebop and soul music.
Giorgi Gigashvili
Sunday, October 5 | 4 PM | Cori Terry Theatre, Epic Center
For his Gilmore recital, Gigashvili focuses on lyrical Romantic works by Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Schumann. The program also includes Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 8, one of Prokofiev’s most important contributions to the genre.
Miki Yamanaka
Saturday, December 6 | 5 & 8 PM | Bell’s Eccentric Café, Kalamazoo
Audiences have come to love Yamanaka’s light, expressive playing and bold rhythmic invention. Expect an evening of vibrant energy as she presents her celebrated repertoire, alongside imaginative re‑interpretations of Great American Songbook and jazz standards.
It’s been an exciting and eventful summer for our Gilmore Artists! From prestigious debuts and international tours to new music releases and creative collaborations, these artists continue to inspire on the global stage. Here’s a look at what they’ve been up to:
Alexandre Kantorow (2024)
Our youngest Gilmore Artist Award recipient, Alexandre Kantorow, has been captivating audiences across Europe with major appearances at the Philharmonie de Paris, the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, his New York Philharmonic debut in Shanghai, and more.
He also appeared at the 53rd Istanbul Music Festival, collaborating with cellist Gautier Capuçon on June 12. Kantorow continues to flourish as a celebrated artist with a rapidly growing international career.
Igor Levit (2018)
2018 Gilmore Artist Igor Levit is wrapping up an international recital tour, with appearances scheduled throughout the summer and early fall, including major festivals and concert halls in Europe and the US. Highlights include stops in Vienna, Berlin, Milan, Stockholm, Évian, Naples, Rome, Amsterdam, and participation at the Lucerne Festival, which he’ll be playing a solo recital on September 9th, featuring works by Schubert, Schumann, and Chopin.
Rafał Blechacz (2014)
2014 Gilmore Artist Rafał Blechacz joined Alexandre Kantorow at the 53rd Istanbul Music Festival, performing on June 20 with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra under conductor Alan Gilbert. How amazing to see two Gilmore Artists who won a decade apart from one another at the same festival.
Additionally, Blechacz also just announced his upcoming memoir, From Half a Lifetime…
The book features 61 chapters, offering personal reflections and stories from his life and career.
Kirill Gerstein (2010)
2010 Gilmore Artist Kirill Gerstein and vibraphonist Gary Burton reunited through Chick Corea’s The Visitors—a work Gerstein commissioned with funds from his Gilmore Artist award. In this WRTI feature, Gerstein shares how Burton is one of the reasons he came to study music in the U.S.
“But, in fact — as I’ve told Gary numerous times, and it’s the truth — our encounter really changed my life in every way, as a person, as a musician. So it was indeed incredibly fateful.” -Gerstein
Leif Ove Andsnes (1998)
1998 Gilmore Artist Leif Ove Andsnes has announced an upcoming recording project featuring the music of Geirr Tveitt. He is collaborating with his sister, Solveig Andsnes, and the collection—set to release later this spring—includes Piano Sonata No. 29.
Thank you for supporting The Gilmore and celebrating the continued achievements of these remarkable artists. We look forward to sharing even more updates with you soon!
Full Circle Piano Moments
Tiffany was among the very first students to attend The Gilmore’s Piano Camp, and this summer, we had the joy of welcoming her son, Zaiden, as a camper. It’s a true full-circle moment — and a deeply meaningful reminder of the lasting impact The Gilmore has in nurturing a love of piano across generations.
2026 Festival Fellowship
Applications are now open for the 2026 Gilmore Festival Fellowship, a ten-day residency designed to help emerging pianists thrive both artistically and professionally. From May 1–10, 2026, Fellows will take part in master classes, receive coaching from renowned artists, and gain practical training in career-building, branding, and wellness—all in the vibrant setting of the Gilmore Piano Festival.
Who should apply: Classical and jazz pianists, age 18+
Deadline: December 1, 2025