Pianist Michael Davidman emerged victorious at the 2025 American Piano Awards, a prestigious event recognizing exceptional talent in the classical music realm. The 28-year-old virtuoso clinched the coveted Christel DeHaan Fellowship, a distinguished honor bestowed upon an American classical pianist every four years following a rigorous 13-month competition.
The American Piano Awards, a renowned institution supporting budding pianists aged between 18 and 30 for over forty years, culminated its 2025 edition in Indianapolis, Indiana. The competition, which encompasses both classical and jazz piano genres, offers winners extensive career backing and numerous performance opportunities. The final showdown saw five gifted finalists showcasing their skills alongside the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor JoAnn Falletta. The electrifying culmination was broadcast live on The Violin Channel and is now accessible for on-demand viewing.
In a captivating rendition of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30, Michael Davidman captivated the audience and clinched the American Piano Awards title along with the esteemed Christel DeHaan Fellowship. The fellowship, valued at over $200,000, includes a two-year career management and public relations support, a media tour, an artist residency at the University of Indianapolis, a recording contract with Steinway & Sons record label, performance engagements nationally and internationally, and more.
Looking ahead, Michael is set to embark on a recital tour during the 2026-27 season and perform with partner orchestras of the American Piano Awards, such as the Phoenix Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, among others. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School, Michael is currently honing his craft under the tutelage of Stanislav Ioudenitch at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid.
With an impressive track record that includes victories at esteemed competitions like the Long-Thibaud International Piano Competition, Juilliard Gina Bachauer Competition, and the Ithaca College of Music Piano Competition, Michael has showcased his artistry as a soloist with reputable ensembles including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestre Symponique de la Garde Republicaine, Symphonicity, and the Monterey Symphony.
The distinguished jury panel of the American Piano Awards this year comprised esteemed figures such as Marina Lomazov, Tito Muñoz, Roberta Rust, and Spencer Myer. Past winners of this esteemed accolade include luminaries like Kenny Broberg, Drew Petersen, Sean Chen, Grace Fong, Spencer Myer, Frederic Chiu, and Sara Davis Buechner.
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