John Boonenberg - Coach & Accompanist
Ann Arbor, Michigan
John Boonenberg is a highly versatile, prize-winning pianist who has performed both nationally and internationally to great acclaim. His awards include the Grand Prize at the 2001 International Bartok-Kabalevsky- Prokofiev Piano Competition, 1st prize in the 2000 Piano Arts National Concerto Competition, 1st prize in the 2007 Poland International Music Festival Piano Competition, 2nd prize in the 2005 Society for Musical Arts Young Artist Competition, as well as in numerous MTNA and MMTA competitions. He has appeared in solo recital and as concerto soloist in Germany, Poland, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, Italy, and across the US. He has participated in festivals including the Internationale Konzertarbeitswochen in Goslar, Germany, the Prague International Piano Masterclasses in the Czech Republic, the Poland International Music Festival in Naleczow, Poland, the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Interlochen Summer Arts Academy.
Boonenberg's multi-faceted and kaleidoscopic musical activities are a direct outgrowth of how he sees music itself: as an all-encompassing and joyously complete human activity, reveling in the multitudes of music making. A passionate collaborative musician, Boonenberg was a founding member of the Amadeus Piano Trio starting at the age of eleven and continuing for many years thereafter. Other special projects have included performing the complete piano trios of Haydn, complete violin sonatas of Brahms, Messiaen's monumental Quartet for the End of Time, numerous song cycles of Schubert, Schumann, Vaughan Williams, and many others. He also maintains an active involvement in early music through conducting much of the Bach cantata repertoire, as well as performing regularly on harpsichord, organ, and fortepiano. His work in the field of contemporary music includes several years performing as a founding member of Warped Consort, a new music group at the University of Michigan, and performances with Ensemble Dal Niente in New York City. Boonenberg holds degrees from The Juilliard School and the University of Michigan, where he completed his doctoral studies in 2012. His principal teachers include Logan Skelton, Robert McDonald and Mary Siciliano.