Faculty Biography

Brian Preston, Lecturer


Contact:
(585) 389-2700


Departmental Responsibilities:
Applied Piano
Piano Pedagogy


Education:
Eastman School of Music, Artist Diploma
Eastman School of Music, MM
Eastman School of Music, BM


Biography:
Brian Preston has performed solo concerts throughout the U.S. and Canada, in the Virgin Islands, and in many of Europe's leading music centers. In 1981 he made his New York City debut at Lincoln Center with glowing reviews. He has five commercial recordings to date.

A most dedicated teacher, he is currently a piano faculty member of Nazareth College near his private studio in Rochester. Mr. Preston's pre-college private students have won first prizes in numerous New York State and regional competitions. They have been invited to perform with orchestras including the Rochester Philharmonic and the Niagara Falls Symphony.

A native of Aberdeen, Maryland, Brian Preston's formative years were spent studying piano with Baltimore's premier teachers Dr. Otto Ortmann and his daughter Dorothea Ortmann. He made his concerto debut with the Baltimore Symphony at age 17 performing Mozart's Concerto in A Major, K. 488.

In 1981 Brian Preston became the only pianist since 1968 to be awarded the Artist Diploma from the Eastman School of Music where he received his Bachelor's and Master's of Music degrees under the tutelage of Cecile Genhart. While still a student, he performed both Brahms Concerti with the Eastman Philharmonic in the Eastman Theatre.

Mr. Preston has been a triple prizewinner in the Young Artist Competition of the National Federation of Music Clubs, a double prizewinner in the Washington International, and the first prizewinner of the Baltimore Music Club's Professional Division Competition.

Brian Preston is co-founder of the Houghton Piano Camp, a one-week summertime musical experience for high school and middle school students at Houghton College in scenic central New York.