Joshua Mhoon, piano

Pianist Joshua Mhoon performs works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Maurice Ravel, Ernesto Lecuona, Ottorino Respighi and Alexander Scriabin, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. Mhoon began piano at age seven and advanced rapidly, demonstrating a rare combination of artistry, curiosity, and technical command. At just 15, he entered Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music to study with Dr. James Giles, Director of Musical Performance. He currently trains at The Juilliard School in New York City under the direction of Emanuel Ax, Yoheved Kaplinsky, and Julian Martin—three of today’s most celebrated pianists and pedagogues. His competition successes include top prizes at The DePaul National Concerto Competition, The Walgreens National Concerto Competition (Junior and Senior Divisions), and the Emilio del Rosario Concerto Competition. In 2023, he earned the Silver Medal at the inaugural Nina Simone Piano Competition—an accolade that launched a wave of high-profile performance opportunities across North America, Europe, and the Middle East for the 2025–2026 seasons. In July 2025, Mhoon was selected as one of four pianists for the first-ever Artists in Residence program at the inaugural Piano Festival of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Presented in collaboration with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the Saudi Ministry of Culture, and Lang Lang, the festival showcased Mhoon in concerts, masterclasses, and cultural exchange events throughout a landmark month-long residency. Mhoon’s international engagements have included performances in Japan, England, France, Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. In the United States, he has appeared on top stages such as Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Steinway Hall, Chicago Symphony Center, the New World Symphony Center, Alice Tully Hall, and the Musikverein in Vienna. He has worked with many outstanding conductors and ensembles, including Louis Langrée with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Michael Stern with Orchestra LUMOS, the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Philharmonic, Midwest Young Artists Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States, and the Polizeiorchester Sachsen. A proud Chicago native, Mhoon credits his artistic voice to the city’s rich tapestry of Black American music—gospel, jazz, blues, R&B, and hip-hop. His community-centered performances include appearances at Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s historic inauguration, a Chicago Bulls halftime show, and performances for civic leaders and international delegations. His broadcast presence includes features on NBC, CBS, WTTW, Red Bull TV, TV Asahi (Japan), and an Emmy Award-winning episode of PBS’s Built to Last. His radio credits include NPR’s From the Top, WQXR, WFMT, and WBEZ. Mhoon is expanding his creative footprint with his first film score, set for release in 2026, and continues to study jazz and spontaneous composition with influential mentors including the late Willie Pickens and Bobby Irving III. A Young Steinway Artist, he is committed to shaping an inclusive future for classical music—one that reflects and welcomes a broader range of audiences and experiences. As he shared in an early interview, “I definitely want to make music my life.” Today, Joshua Mhoon is doing exactly that—building a career defined by artistic excellence, global impact, and an inspiring sense of purpose. The post Joshua Mhoon, piano appeared first on WFMT.