biography

Recipient of the 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, 30-year-old American pianist Mackenzie Melemed has emerged as one of the most distinctive musical voices of his generation, admired for his nuanced interpretations, technical finesse, and deep artistic sensibility. Hailed as “an excellent young pianist” by the New York Times, Melemed enjoyed an abundance of early stage experience, with over 500 performances to his name by age 13, undoubtedly one of the most seasoned pianists among his peers. Whether in recital, chamber music, or orchestral settings, his performances are marked by a desire to communicate, to reveal, and to connect—with the score, with fellow musicians, and most of all, with the audience.

Born in Massachusetts, Melemed began piano studies at age four, and soon after was performing weekly for senior citizens. At the age of five, he made a national appearance on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and by nine, he was headlining a 60-show run at the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. From nine to thirteen, he was invited annually to perform at the White House during the Holiday Open House celebrations—experiences that proved instrumental in shaping his identity as a performer. This wide-ranging exposure fostered a deep comfort on stage and a natural ease in sharing music.

Melemed's artistry goes beyond performance, combining music and storytelling into memorable experiences for both newcomers and seasoned listeners. Through thoughtfully curated programs that blend familiar works with rare discoveries, he creates intimate connections with audiences, sharing insights that illuminate the music. His vision extends beyond the concert hall: he aims to spark curiosity for lesser-known composers while inspiring future pianists to explore uncharted repertoire, gradually expanding what we consider essential to the classical canon.

A laureate of the 2021 American Pianists Awards and a laureate of the 1st China International Music Competition, Melemed was the only pianist to receive an 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant—one of the highest honors bestowed upon young American classical musicians; presented by Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Career Grants are awarded to American instrumentalists with the largest prospects for a major solo career. He has performed as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic, the Edmonton Symphony, the Polish Radio Orchestra, and other prominent ensembles, and has appeared in recital at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, as well as at major venues and festivals across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Melemed, a Steinway Artist and a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he studied with Robert McDonald and Emanuel Ax (BM, MM, and Artist Diploma), is particularly drawn to music that lies just off the beaten path. Alongside the classical and romantic core repertoire, he has developed a reputation for championing lesser-known works and rarely-performed piano concerti, He views commissioning as vital to the future of the arts, a belief reflected in Israeli American composer Avner Dorman’s recent Piano Concerto No.3, written for Melemed and premiered in Europe and Canada. His upcoming debut album reflects this balance of tradition and innovation, pairing works by composers he feels especially connected to—Bach, Brahms, and Liszt—with new commissions by Sir Stephen Hough (UK), Laura Kaminsky (USA), and Avner Dorman.

In anticipation of the United States’ 250th anniversary, he is currently planning what may well be the largest recital tour of American piano music in recent history, Keys Across America — a project rooted in both personal and artistic conviction.

Since 2020, Melemed has lived in Finland. His success following the 2017 Maj Lind Piano Competition, coupled with his fluency in Finnish from Columbia University language courses, launched his successful performance career with invitations to perform with nearly all of Finland’s orchestras and at major music festivals.

Former teachers include Dean Arvidson, Alexander Korsantia, Olga Rogach and William Smiddy.