The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School proudly announces the upcoming residency of Ghanaian-American concert pianist, artist-teacher and scholar Dr. William Chapman Nyaho.  The April 22-23 residency includes a recital at the RI Philharmonic’s Carter Center in East Providence, a free workshop to area teachers interested in exploring piano repertoire of Africa and the African Diaspora, and a master class with RI Philharmonic Music School piano students.

A riveting soloist and chamber musician, Chapman Nyaho stars in performances around the globe, passionately highlighting the sonic variety of music stemming from African traditions. Celebrated for his expertise and perspective, Chapman Nyaho serves on the piano faculty at Pacific Lutheran University as well as on the summer faculty of Interlochen Center for the Arts. Chapman Nyaho also compiled the pioneering, five-volume anthology Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora (published by Oxford University Press). The graded collection has achieved iconic status, topping best-seller lists and featuring music by two centuries of composers from Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, the Dominican Republic, China, Canada and the United States.

“I am so looking forward to this very special weekend of interacting with the students, teachers, and audiences of Rhode Island,” states Dr. William Chapman Nyaho. “The music we will be exploring and experiencing together is immensely rich and varied.  It needs to be performed, taught, and celebrated! As musicians and music lovers, it is incumbent on us to expand the canon of music to include works from different parts of the world that intersects with, and provides context for, our own Western musical cultures. I applaud the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School for recognizing this and joining me in this important work.”

“Nyaho is a rare treasure in the music world,” says Jamie Allen, Senior Director of Operations & Growth for the RI Phil. “His unique artistry and undying passion for a vastly underappreciated vein of music excites audiences from all backgrounds, and his work as an eminent scholar and pedagogue has made this beautiful music available worldwide.”

Schedule of Events:

Saturday April 22

7:00pm – Recital: NYAHO Piano Works from Africa and the African Diaspora 

Carter Center for Music Education, 667 Waterman Ave, East Providence – Tickets are $25.  Student tickets are available for $10 with a valid student ID.

Sunday April 23

2:00pm – Teacher Workshop – Free and open to thpublic.

3:30pm – Master Class – Free and open to the public.

All Events for the Nyaho Residency take place at the Carter Center for Music Education, 667 Waterman Ave, East Providence.  For more information, please visit RIPhil.org or call 401.248.7001.