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A YOUNG CLASSICAL PIANIST

Michael McClure is a classical pianist from Buffalo, New York, and a 2024 honors graduate in music from the University of Chicago. Under the tutelage of Mary Handley, he completed the development program of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, earning his associate diploma in piano performance (ARCT) in 2016 and licentiate diploma in piano performance (LRCM) in 2020.

The ARCT diploma requires piano examinations from Levels 1–10 and a 45-minute solo concert as the diploma exam; the diploma’s theory requirements include three courses each of rudiments, harmony, and music history and one course each of counterpoint and analysis. The LRCM examination is a 60–75-minute-long, professional solo concert performance.

Michael has participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists Angela Hewitt (2017), Eric Huebner (2017), Konrad Skolarski (2017, 2020), and Fabio Bidini (2019).

From 2016 to 2020, Michael worked as an assistant teacher at the Mary Handley Piano Studio in Amherst, NY. In 2018, he became an RCM Certified Teacher with specialist designations in intermediate music theory, advanced harmony, and advanced music history. Every summer since 2021, he has coached middle and high school piano, string, and wind players at BRAVO Workshop, a week-long chamber music camp in Western New York run by the area’s top orchestral musicians.

In addition to performing as a soloist, Michael is also active as a collaborative pianist, accompanying vocalists, instrumentalists, and choirs in Western New York. He has regularly played in chamber and orchestral ensembles since middle school. Michael uploads many of his performances to his YouTube channel.

Michael also enjoys sight-reading new music, learning trivia, browsing maps, going for long walks, and writing. A freelance reporter and editor outside of music, Michael served as the 2023–24 managing editor of The Chicago Maroon, the University of Chicago’s independent student newspaper, and has covered junior single-seater auto racing internationally since 2022.

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AWARDS

Michael has received numerous solo piano and chamber music awards in competitions across the eastern United States, Canada, and Hungary, including:

  • The American Prize in Piano Concerto Performance, 2019: 2nd place

  • Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra Piano Concerto Competition, 2017: Winner

  • Claudette Sorel Piano Competition, 2017: Finalist

  • Stamford Kiwanis Music Festival (Niagara Falls, Ontario), 2008–19: Gold medalist and multi-time scholarship winner

  • Music Forum for Piano Teachers of Western New York, 2014 and 2020: Summer Study scholarship winner

  • Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival, 2016: Gold Award

  • Rotary Burlington Music Festival, 2009–2015: Gold medalist and scholarship winner (3x)

  • New York State School Music Association, 2013: Selected for showcase of all-state solo piano winners in Rochester, New York

  • WNED Classical 94.5’s Young Performers radio program, 2012: Selected for broadcast

  • County Performing Arts Festival, Eger, Hungary, 2010: Classical Music Overall Grand Prize