Bio

Pianist Susan Sobolewski has been noted for ‘brilliance that never seemed to be there for its own sake, but always in the service of art and as a vehicle for deep emotions’. Susan’s performing career has spanned three continents, including several tours as an artistic ambassador under the auspices of the United States Information Service in India, where she was described by The Times of India as a ‘sensitive virtuoso.’ She has also performed as a recitalist in the UK, Denmark, Canada, and the Caribbean. Susan’s New York performances include solo, chamber, and orchestral concerts at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, the Bruno Walter Auditorium, Alice Tully Hall, Steinway Hall, and the Goethe Institute. She has appeared as a soloist with such orchestras as the Rochester Philharmonic, the Warren Symphony, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the Syracuse Symphony, and the Merrick Symphony. As an orchestral and chamber musician, Susan has performed with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Virtuosi Quintet, members of the St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble and the Metropolitan Opera. She is also a member of the piano duo, Duo Vivace.

Susan’s discography includes two solo discs: a Horus Records release of the works of Haydn, Schumann, and Copland; and on the CRS label, American Composers Piano Works, featuring the music of Lee Hoiby and Samuel Barber. Recorded with her Duo Vivace partner, pianist Eleonor Bindman, Out of the Blue comprises four-hand and two-piano arrangements of Bernstein, Gershwin, and Gustav Holst’s The Planets. 

Susan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, a Master of Music degree from Ithaca College, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Oberlin Conservatory. While working on her Master’s degree at Ithaca College, she additionally earned the License of the Eurhythmics of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, and she has employed the principles and techniques of her Dalcroze training in her subsequent teaching positions and as a clinician.

Balancing an active performing career with a deep commitment to teaching, Susan has also presented concerts in colleges, universities, and community centers across the United States, including the Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Southern States. Sought after for her innovative programs, insightful masterclasses and lecture-demonstrations, Susan has combined her love of performance with her gift of connecting with students. She has held faculty positions at Ithaca College, the Westminster Choir College and Conservatory, and Concordia College. Susan is a professor of music at SUNY/Nassau, where she serves as Director of Chamber Ensembles.  

Honors/Awards

• Artistic Ambassador, USIS (international concert tours)

• Fellowship, Banff Centre for the Arts

• Prizewinner, International Beethoven Sonata Competition

• Performer’s Certificate, Eastman School

• Concerto Competition Winner, Eastman School

• Rotary Club Scholarship

• Hudson Scholarship

• Full Scholarships (two summers), National Music Camp, Interlochen, Michigan