Keys Across America

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, pianist Mackenzie Melemed launches Keys Across America — a landmark recital tour exploring the extraordinary breadth of American piano music, with music spanning 150+ years.

This bold, self-organized project brings together the voices of iconic composers including Florence Price, Charles Ives, Amy Beach, Edward MacDowell, Louis-Moreau Gottschalk, Ned Rorem, Arthur Foote, and Aaron Copland, whose music tells the story of a nation through sound.

At the heart of the program is a tribute to the Second New England School — a group of 19th century composers who helped shape a distinctly American classical voice. As a Massachusetts native, Melemed brings personal passion and pride to these works, connecting regional legacy with national significance.

Keys Across America has quickly become one of the largest American piano recital projects in recent memory. The program blends historical reverence with contemporary vitality, offering audiences not only a sweeping journey through America’s musical landscape — but also a fresh and deeply engaging concert experience, as Melemed speaks to his audience from the stage, sharing stories about the composers and the significance behind their masterpieces. This program promises to inspire and celebrate the diversity and richness of American sound.

*Melemed is also happy to include masterclasses in his visits to music schools*

Check back for regular updates on participating presenters.

Provisional List of Presenters

The Phillips Collection (Washington, D.C.)

The Bachauer Foundation (Salt Lake City, UT)

Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts (Chicago, IL)

Center for Musical Arts (Lafayette, CO)

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts (Mt. Vernon, IL)

Grand Piano Series (Naples, FL)

WYO Theatre (Sheridan, WY)

Wisconsin Music Teachers Association

South Dakota Music Teachers Association

The New England Conservatory (Boston, MA)

Lawrence University (Appleton, WI)

SUNY Binghamton (Binghamton, NY)

CSU Fullerton (Fullerton, CA)

Baylor University (Waco, TX)

UTSA (San Antonio, TX)

Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA)

The University of Montana (Missoula, MT)

Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, AR)

Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA)

The College of Charleston (Charleston, SC)

Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL)

Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)

University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS)

Truman University (Kirksville, MO)

University of Missouri - Kansas City (Kansas City, MO)

University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS)

Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)

Spokane Symphony (WA)