Brian Woods-Piano
Biography
Celebrated for his stunning musicianship and dazzling stage presence, American pianist Brian Woods has emerged as an exciting pianist of international acclaim. His 2022-2023 Season included concert tours of the United States, a solo appearance in Southern California as winner of the Beverly Hills National Auditions, a debut for the prestigious Music Toronto, and concerto appearances with the Quincy Symphony and Belleville Philharmonic. Woods is also honored to serve as Music Director for Classical Programming at the World Chess Hall of Fame, one of the premier venues for chamber music in Missouri.
A native of St. Louis, Woods has enjoyed success in numerous distinguished competitions, including the Verona International Piano Competition, The American Prize, and the Artist Presentation Society Auditions. Following his debut concerto performance at age eighteen, he maintains an extensive concerto repertoire, from Liszt and Tchaikovsky's First Concerti to Beethoven's Fifth, Brahms' Second, and Rachmaninoff's Third. Woods has recently performed with such ensembles as the Manassas Symphony Orchestra, the Southeast Missouri Symphony, the University City Symphony Orchestra, and the Southern Illinois Symphony.
Past seasons have included solo recitals in Toronto, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, and Dublin, Ireland. Hailed as “representing the next generation of professional touring artists” (Robert Hart Baker), Woods’ performances continue to receive high acclaim, with audiences and critics alike praising his playing as “astonishing” (KDHX St. Louis), “inspiring” (Encinitas, CA), and “taking the audience on a journey” (Watertown, NY). Woods has collaborated with tenor Vinson Cole and cellist Julian Schwarz, among many other partners in the United States and Canada. His artistic partnership with Canadian violinist Daniel Dastoor as the Dastoor-Woods Duo has led to notable performances in Toronto’s Koerner Hall and for the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity as part of the inaugural Evolution: Classical series.
Past mentors include Craig Nies, Robert Weirich, Stanislav Ioudenitch, and Donna Vince. Woods holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Shenandoah University, and the Royal Conservatory's Glenn Gould School, where he completed the Artist Diploma Program on full scholarship with famed Irish pianist and Beethoven interpreter John O'Conor. Visit brianwoodspianist.com to learn more or follow Brian on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @brianwoodspianist. Updated April 2023
Video Samples
Robert Schumann Arabeske, Op. 18
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 (Excerpt) Gateway Festival Orchestra, Darwin Aquino, conductor
Chopin Étude in B Minor, Op. 25 No. 10
