Acclaimed young American pianist Drew Petersen is a sought-after soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. He has been praised for his commanding and poetic performances of repertoire ranging from Bach to Zaimont. He is the recipient of the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant and winner of the 2017 American Pianists Awards and Christel De Haan Classical Fellowship.
As a previous prizewinner of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, he will return in spring 2024 for the closing concert of the Bravo Piano! Festival. Recent appearances include numerous orchestral and recital appearances throughout the U.S. His 2018 Steinway & Sons release of his first solo recording included music of Barber, Carter and other American composers which brought acclaim by BBC Music Magazine.
A frequent radio contributor, Petersen has performed on McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase, From the Top, and Performance Today. He has had profiles in The New York Times, New York Magazine, as well as being part of the documentary “just normal” by award-winning director Kim A. Snyder.
Drew Petersen’s firm belief in the importance of music in contemporary society led to collaborations with Young Audiences NY that presents performances in New York City’s public schools. His appearance in Andrew Solomon’s New York Times bestselling book, Far From the Tree, sparked a nation-wide conversation on raising extraordinary and different children who test the willpower and capabilities of their families and society. Petersen continually advocates for the necessity of classical music and other arts in society, and was named a 2006 Davidson Fellow for his portfolio entitled Keeping Classical Music Alive.