Dr. Zhiyu Wang is the rare combination of outstanding pianist and insightful piano pedagogue. Dr. Wang received her bachelor and master’s degrees in piano performance at Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, one of the most competitive conservatories in China. She received a fellowship at the University of Minnesota, and earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance and piano pedagogy, studying with Alexander Braginsky. Dr. Wang is hailed for her virtuosic and passionate performances, and keen musical sensitivity. In her studio, Dr. Wang mentors young beginners to develop profound musicianship, a solid foundation of technique, and a sensitive ear. She excels at helping intermediate and advanced students improve their playing with practical methods to surmount technical challenges, and deepen their understanding of music. Dr. Wang’s students have won many competitions near and far, including the Schubert Club Scholarship Competition, the Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum Awards Audition, the North Dakota State University National Division Piano Competition, Minnesota Public Radio Minnesota Varsity Competition Featured Pianist, and First Prize in the Charleston International Music Competition, and several of her students have performed in Carnegie Hall. Dr. Wang is an active member of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association, and a nationally-sought recitalist, masterclass presenter, and adjudicator. She is also currently a member of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association Foundation Board.
Dr. Eric Bigalke is a prominent organist, conductor, and keyboard/composition educator in the Twin Cities area and the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. He is fluent in many styles of music, from rollicking licks of jazz, to chamber works, choral music, piano and organ repertoire, and improvisation. Dr. Bigalke serves as Director of Music and Organist at Trinity Episcopal Church, in Excelsior, Minnesota, where he leads the adult and children’s choirs, bell choir, and offers a diverse experience of music in worship, and as Chapel Musician at Breck School, where he directs music for weekly chapel services, composes and arranges for student ensembles, and promotes student music leadership. Dr. Bigalke’s award-winning studio focuses on inspiring education in the keyboard arts, music theory, and composition, and advocates well-rounded musicianship. His students have been Minnesota Public Radio Minnesota Varsity Featured Composers, selected to participate in the Curtis Institute of Music Young Artist Summer Camp for Composition, and have been admitted to study composition at prestigious universities, including the University of California-Los Angeles. Dr. Bigalke completed undergraduate degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and earned the Master of Music degree in piano performance, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance and music theory from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Bigalke is an Associate of the American Guild of Organists, and a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Association of Anglican Musicians, and appears frequently as a guest artist and presenter at colleges and conferences.