Welcome to a curated collection of interviews with our winners and laureates. In these candid conversations, artists share their journeys, influences, challenges, and the intimate relationship they have with their instrument. Whether you’re a fellow musician, a student of the piano, or simply an admirer of the art, these interviews offer a rare glimpse behind the performances—into the minds and hearts of those who bring music to life through the keys.
Spotlight:
Drew Petersen
American Piano Awards is proud to call Indianapolis home, where we have the ability to partner with other world-class organizations like the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. Ahead of a duo recital with reigning IVCI Champion Sirena Huang, we caught up with 2017 American Piano Awards winner Drew Petersen.
Sara Davis Buechner
Sara is one of the three winners of the inaugural 1981 "Beethoven Foundation" award in classical piano. We interview Sara about how she was drawn to music, her music education, and her continuing musical achievements.
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Dominic Cheli
Though only committing to piano professionally in the last few years, Dominic Cheli has already made waves in the classical keyboard sphere as a 2021 American Piano Awards laureate, educator for tonebase, and emcee of the 2025 American Piano Awards Finals Nights. Dominic tells us more about the journey from his beginnings in another Midwest landmark city: St. Louis, Missouri.
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Sean Chen
2013 American Piano Awards winner Sean Chen is a consummate performer who, in the last few years, added "educator" to his resume when he started teaching at UMKC. We spoke with Sean about the many surprises life had in store for him on his journey.
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Emmet Cohen
For Emmet Cohen, the 3rd time was the charm. Emmet competed three times in the American Piano Awards’ jazz competition, winning it on his final attempt. A popular and dynamic performer, Emmet is in demand for his in-person performances, as well as his live-streaming “Live From Emmet’s Place”. We caught up with Emmet between gigs.
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Aaron Diehl
Aaron Diehl has been playing with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis around the world since he was a teen. We caught up with the 2011 American Piano Awards winner to learn more about why he's dedicated his life to the piano.
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Eric Zuber
Dr. Eric Zuber is an internationally-awarded concert pianist and 2013 American Piano Awards Laureate. In addition to his busy performance calendar, he is dedicated to helping the next generation of aspiring young artists as a faculty member at numerous universities and festivals. We sat down with Eric to discuss his new collaboration with his own teacher and mentor, Boris Slutsky.
Read more...Sara Davis Buechner
Sara is one of the three winners of the inaugural 1981 "Beethoven Foundation" award in classical piano. We interview Sara about how she was drawn to music, her music education, and her continuing musical achievements.
Read more...Dominic Cheli
Though only committing to piano professionally in the last few years, Dominic Cheli has already made waves in the classical keyboard sphere as a 2021 American Piano Awards laureate, educator for tonebase, and emcee of the 2025 American Piano Awards Finals Nights. Dominic tells us more about the journey from his beginnings in another Midwest landmark city: St. Louis, Missouri.
Read more...Sean Chen
2013 American Piano Awards winner Sean Chen is a consummate performer who, in the last few years, added "educator" to his resume when he started teaching at UMKC. We spoke with Sean about the many surprises life had in store for him on his journey.
Read more...Emmet Cohen
For Emmet Cohen, the 3rd time was the charm. Emmet competed three times in the American Piano Awards’ jazz competition, winning it on his final attempt. A popular and dynamic performer, Emmet is in demand for his in-person performances, as well as his live-streaming “Live From Emmet’s Place”. We caught up with Emmet between gigs.
Read more...Aaron Diehl
Aaron Diehl has been playing with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis around the world since he was a teen. We caught up with the 2011 American Piano Awards winner to learn more about why he's dedicated his life to the piano.
Read more...Eric Zuber
Dr. Eric Zuber is an internationally-awarded concert pianist and 2013 American Piano Awards Laureate. In addition to his busy performance calendar, he is dedicated to helping the next generation of aspiring young artists as a faculty member at numerous universities and festivals. We sat down with Eric to discuss his new collaboration with his own teacher and mentor, Boris Slutsky.
Read more...Sara Davis Buechner
Sara is one of the three winners of the inaugural 1981 "Beethoven Foundation" award in classical piano. We interview Sara about how she was drawn to music, her music education, and her continuing musical achievements.
Read more...Dominic Cheli
Though only committing to piano professionally in the last few years, Dominic Cheli has already made waves in the classical keyboard sphere as a 2021 American Piano Awards laureate, educator for tonebase, and emcee of the 2025 American Piano Awards Finals Nights. Dominic tells us more about the journey from his beginnings in another Midwest landmark city: St. Louis, Missouri.
Read more...Sean Chen
2013 American Piano Awards winner Sean Chen is a consummate performer who, in the last few years, added "educator" to his resume when he started teaching at UMKC. We spoke with Sean about the many surprises life had in store for him on his journey.
Read more...Emmet Cohen
For Emmet Cohen, the 3rd time was the charm. Emmet competed three times in the American Piano Awards’ jazz competition, winning it on his final attempt. A popular and dynamic performer, Emmet is in demand for his in-person performances, as well as his live-streaming “Live From Emmet’s Place”. We caught up with Emmet between gigs.
Read more...Aaron Diehl
Aaron Diehl has been playing with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis around the world since he was a teen. We caught up with the 2011 American Piano Awards winner to learn more about why he's dedicated his life to the piano.
Read more...Eric Zuber
Dr. Eric Zuber is an internationally-awarded concert pianist and 2013 American Piano Awards Laureate. In addition to his busy performance calendar, he is dedicated to helping the next generation of aspiring young artists as a faculty member at numerous universities and festivals. We sat down with Eric to discuss his new collaboration with his own teacher and mentor, Boris Slutsky.
Read more...Sara Davis Buechner
Sara is one of the three winners of the inaugural 1981 "Beethoven Foundation" award in classical piano. We interview Sara about how she was drawn to music, her music education, and her continuing musical achievements.
Read more...Dominic Cheli
Though only committing to piano professionally in the last few years, Dominic Cheli has already made waves in the classical keyboard sphere as a 2021 American Piano Awards laureate, educator for tonebase, and emcee of the 2025 American Piano Awards Finals Nights. Dominic tells us more about the journey from his beginnings in another Midwest landmark city: St. Louis, Missouri.
Read more...Sean Chen
2013 American Piano Awards winner Sean Chen is a consummate performer who, in the last few years, added "educator" to his resume when he started teaching at UMKC. We spoke with Sean about the many surprises life had in store for him on his journey.
Read more...Emmet Cohen
For Emmet Cohen, the 3rd time was the charm. Emmet competed three times in the American Piano Awards’ jazz competition, winning it on his final attempt. A popular and dynamic performer, Emmet is in demand for his in-person performances, as well as his live-streaming “Live From Emmet’s Place”. We caught up with Emmet between gigs.
Read more...Aaron Diehl
Aaron Diehl has been playing with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis around the world since he was a teen. We caught up with the 2011 American Piano Awards winner to learn more about why he's dedicated his life to the piano.
Read more...Eric Zuber
Dr. Eric Zuber is an internationally-awarded concert pianist and 2013 American Piano Awards Laureate. In addition to his busy performance calendar, he is dedicated to helping the next generation of aspiring young artists as a faculty member at numerous universities and festivals. We sat down with Eric to discuss his new collaboration with his own teacher and mentor, Boris Slutsky.
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