International pianist holds concert at the University of Pikeville

The University of Pikeville will host a concert featuring Nada, the international pianist, in Booth Auditorium tonight.

The concert includes musical selections of the pianist’s repertoire as well as some pieces by Johannes Brahms.

Nada is originally from Beirut, Lebanon. Her early learning in piano was inhibited by terrorism and civil war. Later, her family hid in the mountains, where Nada taught herself additional piano from music books, like Bach inventions, polonaises, and Chopin waltzes. She attended Paris to continue studying music.

After just seven years of piano experience, the Paris Conservatory accepted Nada. She has traveled and performed in Europe and France. Now she is in the U.S., where her career includes outreach programs in schools as well as concerts held in intimate, European salon settings.

Nada has been a pioneer in her career, driving throughout the U.S. with a piano on a truck. She went to rural, mountain communities where she introduced classical music to people. She held solo and ensemble performances for prison populations and hospital patients.

“Nada is an artist of international caliber,” Phillip Westgate, professor of music at Pikeville, said. “She has performed on the world of music stage and been recognized for excellence.”