Brian Woods
Celebrated for his “heroism” and “convincing technique” (ArtsNash), American pianist Brian Woods has emerged as a compelling artist of international acclaim. Woods’ 2021-2022 season highlights include his solo debut at the World Chess Hall of Fame, a debut as featured soloist for the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis, and concerto debuts with the Manassas and Belleville Symphony Orchestras. Additional upcoming engagements include a concert tour of the Midwest and an online debut for the World Piano Teachers’ Association.
A native of St. Louis, Woods has enjoyed success in numerous distinguished competitions, including the Verona International Piano Competition, The American Prize, the Music Teachers’ National Association Young Artist Competition, and the Artist Presentation Society Auditions. Following his debut concerto performance at age eighteen, Woods maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from Tchaikovsky and Liszt’s First Concerti to Beethoven’s Fifth, Brahms’ Second, and Rachmaninoff’s Third. He has since performed with such ensembles as the Masterworks Festival Orchestra, the University City Symphony Orchestra, the Shenandoah University Orchestra, and the Vanderbilt Oratorio Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs.
Past seasons have included solo recitals in Toronto, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Kansas City, Winchester, VA, Thibodaux, LA, and Dublin, Ireland. As a passionate chamber musician, Woods has collaborated with tenor Vinson Cole and cellist Julian Schwarz, among many other partners in the United States and Canada. He is equally at home with new music as he is with classical repertoire, and his work with the EDGE Ensemble in Virginia featured a complete program dedicated to the music of Avner Dorman, as well as performances of pieces by Ana Sokolovic and Joseph Schwantner.
Woods holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, University of Missouri – Kansas City, and Shenandoah University. Past mentors include Craig Nies, Robert Weirich, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Donna Vince, and Margaret Kitto. In 2021, Woods completed the Artist Diploma Program at The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School, where he studied on full scholarship with legendary Irish pianist and Beethoven interpreter John O’Conor. When he’s not at the piano, Brian enjoys practicing yoga, exploring new cities, and catching the latest broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera.