Rebecca Davis Biography

With appearances throughout the U.S., Russia, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, China, and Brazil, critically acclaimed pianist Rebecca Davis is well known for her sometimes powerful, sometimes delicate, but always deeply moving performances. Audiences are consumed by this former Juilliard faculty member's poise, charisma and masterful technique. She has graced the stages of such venues as Alice Tully Hall/Lincoln Center/New York, The Academy of Music/Philadelphia, The Schubert Club, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Berlin Philharmonic Hall, Fontainebleau Music Festival/France, Bosendorfer Recital Hall/Vienna, Klavierhaus Recital Hall/New York City, Yamaha Recital Hall/Shanghai, Sorbonne Concert Hall/Paris, Curt-Sachs Museum Recital Hall/Berlin, Amalfi Piano Festival/Italy and the Carrero Piano Festival/Barcelona.

Beginning her studies at the age of four in Philadelphia, Ms. Davis performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra by the time she was thirteen. A recipient of numerous awards, grants and scholarships, she received a coveted teaching fellowship at The Juilliard School while working on her Bachelors and Masters degrees and subsequently became a faculty member in the conservatory's pre-college division teaching theory and ear training. However, after graduating from Juilliard, the realization that she had lost the joy of making music caused a complete hiatus from performing or practicing for many years. Since rediscovering the concert stage, in addition to performing around the world, she has distinguished herself by receiving top honors (First Prize, Second Prize, Music Critics Awards, Audience Favorite Performer Awards, finalist) at international competitions held in Vienna, Berlin, Paris, New York and Washington, D.C.

In addition to receiving a Legacy Arts & Heritage Grant from the Lake Region Arts Council, the Minnesota State Arts Board awarded Rebecca a Certificate of Merit in recognition of being an arts leader in the state. As current Vice Chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board Executive Committee, her duties include advocating for the arts/artists within Minnesota as well as with Minnesota legislators in Washington, D.C.

This 2012 McKnight Fellowship winner was greatly inspired by audiences while participating in Juilliard's Lincoln Center Program, which sends performing artists into the New York public school system. Rebecca remains committed to giving performances where classical music is not readily accessible or affordable (e.g. homeless shelters, hospitals, inner city/remote rural public schools, nursing homes, etc.).

Before moving to Minnesota, Ms. Davis was the first African-American to produce and host her own prime time classical music program on National Public Radio's KUSC in Los Angeles. In addition to performing, she is well known for her exceptional master classes, and continues to teach privately at her home in rural Minnesota.