Derek Parsons

Derek Parsons is a Professor of Piano and Director of the Furman Summer Keyboard Institute at Furman University. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) from the University of Michigan, alongside earlier degrees from the University of Western Ontario and Trinity College. His career spans four decades as a pianist, featuring performances with orchestras across the U.S., Canada, Spain, Italy, and China. He is renowned for his interpretations of works by composers like Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, and Gershwin.

Education:

• M.M., University of Michigan
• D.M.A., University of Michigan
• B.M., University of Western Ontario
• A.T.C.L., Trinity College

Research & Performance: His work emphasizes piano pedagogy and classical repertoire. Notable achievements include a piano reduction of Healey Willan’s Piano Concerto (2017) and recordings such as Liszt: The Poet Inspired (2015). He received a three-year Furman Standard grant to perform and record Willan’s concerto.

Affiliations: Served as President of the South Carolina Music Teachers’ Association (2010–2012) and Artistic Director for the 2018 American Liszt Society Festival. Leads Furman’s Pianos for Paladins initiative and annually performs Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue at Concerts by the Lake.