Stephen Beus, Piano

Biography

Stephen Beus, 24, is the fourth of eight children and was born and raised in Othello, Washington. Since the age of eight, Stephen has been a popular recitalist and an orchestral soloist, performing concerti by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Grieg, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev with orchestras in the United States and Europe.

In April of 2006, Mr. Beus was chosen as the Max I. Allen Classical Fellow of the American Pianists Association. The fellowship consists of a cash award, publicity, career assistance and performances in national and international venues, including an appearance on the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts. In June of this year, Mr. Beus was the Gold Medal First Place winner of the Gina Bachauer 2006 International Artists Piano Competition. In July, he was awarded the Grand Prize in the Vendome International Piano Competition in Lisbon.

Previously, Mr. Beus was the first prize winner of the Junior Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and won the Pre-college level of the Corpus Christi International Concerto Competition. In 2000 he was named the national winner of the High School division of the MTNA competition.

In September 2000, Mr. Beus accepted a call to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Finland. While in Finland, Stephen was able to perform extensively, touring the country, performing in numerous cities and appearing in television and radio interviews.

After his return from his mission in August 2002, Mr. Beus graduated from Whitman College where he continued his study of the piano with Leonard Richter. He was invited to perform with the Whitman Symphony, the Walla Walla Symphony, and also with the Mid-Columbia Symphony. After his June 2003 performance of Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, critics compared his performance to that of the young Van Cliburn. In March 2003, Stephen was named the National Winner in the Collegiate division of the Music Teachers National Association Competition. As the first place national winner, Mr. Beus received a Steinway Piano.

In 2004, Mr. Beus placed second at the National Kosciuszko Chopin Competition in New York City and performed at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall in the same month. He currently pursues graduate studies at the Juilliard School with Robert McDonald.