Clipper Erickson, the distinguished American pianist and a recognized scholar of Nathaniel Dett and his music, will serve as Artistic Advisor to the Heida 2022 and give a lecture on Nathaniel Dett. The 2022 Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition will spotlight the unjustly neglected music for solo piano of the important African-American composer, Nathaniel Dett. Born in Canada, Dett studied and made his career in the United States, and is one of the great American composers of the 20th century and a trailblazing figure in the history of Black composers of classical music.
Hosted by MoCA Westport, the 2022 Heida Hermanns Music Competition will bring four of the world’s top young pianists to Westport, Connecticut to compete over the course of three days in one of America’s most celebrated cultural communities. The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000, and each of the other finalists will receive a prize of $2,500. All four finalists will also receive meals and lodging in Westport during their stay, with access to a grand piano for their use. In addition to a cash prize, the Winner shall receive an invitation to perform a solo recital at MoCA Westport, at a later date.
Prior winners include celebrated pianists who have gone on to perform in the world’s most important halls, such as Spencer Myer, Frederic Chiu, Josh Wright, Timur Mustikimov, and Yue Chu.
