Seymour Bernstein’s reputation precedes him in the world of piano — and his legacy of inspired performance and pedagogy continues to make a mark on new generations of pianists.
Bernstein began teaching at just the age of 15. Gaining early recognition as a performer, he won the Griffith Artist Award at 17. His service in the Korean War saw him playing concerts at the front and for military officials, fueling his passion to share music more broadly.
In 1969, he premiered Concerto No. 2 by Villa-Lobos with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His accolades include the First Prize and Prix Jacques Durand at Fontainebleau, a Beebe Foundation grant, two Martha Baird Rockefeller grants, and four State Department grants.
Bernstein is a prolific author, having written the influential books With Your Own Two Hands and 20 Lessons in Keyboard Choreography. The 2014 documentary Seymour: An Introduction, directed by Ethan Hawke, introduced Bernstein to a broad audience and highlights his views on music, education, and life. Bernstein holds a teaching post at New York University, and in 2004, Shenandoah University granted him an honorary doctorate.