Biography

Noted as “a fine pianist with substantial, crystal-clear technique, plenty of power, yet with a sensitive musicality and a penchant for lyricism” (James Lowe, Times Argus), Claire Black is an active performer of classical music as both a collaborator and soloist. Her passion for chamber music synergizes with abundant experience, including many seasons of performance tours with the Stellaria Trio, Vermont Virtuosi, Cialde Quintet, and the Elegua Duo.  Ms. Black’s latest solo projects spotlight works by Clara Schumann. She won Second Prize in the 2022 International Clara Schumann Competition.

Though 2019 found Ms. Black in Spokane, WA, where she served for a year on the faculty and as staff accompanist at Whitworth University, her musical life has been based in Burlington, VT, for the better part of a decade. Widely in demand for her work with vocal and instrumental soloists, choirs, and opera productions, Ms. Black is Principal Pianist for Barn Opera of Brandon, VT, and accompanies the Burlington Choral Society.  She traces her collaborative roots to Baldwin Wallace University (BWU), where she kept an extensive roster of clients as a staff accompanist and coach. While at BWU, she also worked closely with soprano Jane Eaglen, who selected Ms. Black as pianist for her Wagner Intensive summer institute.

An avid educator, Ms. Black specializes in intermediate- and advanced-level instruction as she fosters 30 young pianists in her bustling private studio. Past teaching engagements include positions at Middlebury Community Music Center, Oberlin Conservatory Community Music School, and the piano festival Summer Sonata.

Ms. Black trained with Dr. Robert Mayerovitch at BWU, and with Margarita Shevchenko at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. Ms. Black is an alumna of the Tanglewood Institute, Eastern Music Festival, Brevard Music Center, and the Tuckamore Festival of St. John’s, Newfoundland.