World Renowned Awadagin Pratt Performs for International Piano Series

Event Details

Among his generation of concert artists, pianist Awadagin Pratt is acclaimed for his musical insight and intensely involving performances in recital and with symphony orchestras. Pratt will play the final concert in the 32nd season of the College of Charleston’s International Piano Series. His performance will include works by Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt and Glass.

Born in Pittsburgh, Awadagin Pratt began studying piano at the age of six. Three years later, having moved to Normal, Ill. with his family, he also began studying violin. At the age of 16 he entered the University of Illinois where he studied piano, violin and conducting. He subsequently enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he became the first student in the school's history to receive diplomas in three performance areas – piano, violin and conducting.

In 1992, Pratt won the Naumburg International Piano Competition and two years later was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant. Since then, he has played numerous recitals throughout the US including performances at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. His many orchestral performances include appearances with the New York Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra and the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Atlanta, St. Louis, National and Detroit symphonies among many others. Summer festival engagements include appearances at Ravinia, Blossom, Wolftrap, Caramoor, Aspen and the Hollywood Bowl.

In November 2009, Mr. Pratt was one of four artists selected to perform at a classical music event at the White House that included student workshops hosted by the First Lady, Michelle Obama, and performing in concert for guests including President Obama. He has performed two other times at the White House, both at the invitation of President and Mrs. Clinton.

A great favorite on college and university performing arts series and a strong advocate of music education, Awadagin Pratt participates in numerous residency and outreach activities wherever he appears.

Pratt is currently Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and in July 2023, joins the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as Professor of Piano. He also served as the Artistic Director of the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati and the Next Generation Festival. READ FULL BIO at

The concert on Tuesday, March 28 takes place at 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is $30. Admission is FREE for youth (18 and under). (Free tickets must be secured by emailing [email protected] or in person at the box office.)