Performance: Rebecca Penny Piano Festival
June 25 @ 6:00pm – 7:30pm
In conjunction with our special exhibition Dalí in America, enjoy live performances by some of the world’s most talented collegiate-level classical pianists, inspired by the American compositions that shaped Salvador Dalí’s time in the United States.
Brought to you in partnership with the Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, this satellite concert offers a rare opportunity to experience the remarkable talent of these artists. Each summer, the University of South Florida hosts internationally acclaimed pianists as they study with Rebecca Penneys and more than 20 distinguished mentors from across the country. This dynamic program is both a celebration of the piano and a continuation of its rich, enduring legacy—brought to life through the extraordinary artistry of these musicians.
Location: The Dalí Museum’s Will Raymund Theater
Cost: $10
Gallery access is not included.
For over six decades Rebecca Penneys has been hailed as a pianist of prodigious talent, has concertized throughout all the continents north of Antarctica, and represented the USA in Information Service State Department Cultural Tours over a ten-year period. She made her recital debut at age 9 and performed as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at 11. At 17 she received the unprecedented Special Critics’ Prize at the VII International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, an award created in her honor.
Having completed 43 years of full-time collegiate teaching, she retired in 2017 and is now Courtesy-Steinway-Artist-in-Residence at University of South Florida and Professor Emerita of Piano at Eastman School of Music. She was Chair of the Chautauqua Institution Piano Program for 34 years and started its chamber music program.
Launched in 2013, the Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival (RPPF), tuition-free for collegiate pianists, is held every summer at USF in July and is supported by Rebecca Penneys Friends of Piano, non-profit 501c3. Forty students have a semester of lessons with twenty-three eminent artist faculty in just three-week’s time.
Current and former students include prizewinners in international competitions and hold teaching posts worldwide.
