“America still produces superb pianists, and one is Sean Kennard,” proclaimed Limelight Magazine in their rave review of Kennard’s debut album. His “moving and musically satisfying” [The Strad] performances and recordings have been acclaimed all over the world for their “exceptional agility, nuance and power” [Gramophone], “powerful and involved music making” [The Washington Post], and “penetrating sense of structure…infectious sense of fun…full of life and sparkle” [Fanfare]. Renowned pianist Richard Goode described Kennard as “an extraordinary pianist, one of the most gifted I have ever heard…a most natural and unaffected performer, who conveys a calm authority even while whipping up a storm,” while American Record Guide has praised his “perfect blend of lyricism and romantic passion, huge romantic sound, and bold melodic vision.”

His accolades include top prizes and audience choice awards in numerous competitions such as the Queen Elisabeth (Belgium), The Vendome Prize (Portugal), Sendai International (Japan), Viña del Mar International (Chile), Hilton Head International (USA), National Chopin (USA), and others. He has appeared as soloist with orchestras around the world including the Prague Radio Symphony, Japan’s NHK Chamber Orchestra, Osaka Symphony, the National Orchestra of Belgium, Chamber Orchestra of Frankfurt, Morocco Philharmonic, Chile Symphony, Uruguay’s Montevideo Philharmonic, and many others. He has also performed solo and chamber recitals throughout Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States. His discography includes highly acclaimed solo and chamber music releases on Naxos, Delos, and Centaur.

Sean is pianist of Trio Barclay, the first Ensemble-in-Residence of Irvine Barclay Theatre. Since their inception, they have commissioned a new work from a living composer for every concert they have performed on their home stage. They have also concertized across the United States and South Korea.

Dr. Sean Kennard, a Steinway artist, is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music (where he won the institution’s prestigious Sergei Rachmaninoff Award), The Juilliard School, Mannes College, and Yale University, having studied with teachers including Boris Berman, Richard Goode, Enrique Graf, Jerome Lowenthal, and Robert McDonald. In 2017, he joined the faculty of Stetson University as chair of the keyboard division in the School of Music.