Geoffrey Burleson

Geoffrey Burleson is a distinguished pianist and academic, serving as Professor of Music and Director of Piano Studies at Hunter College-CUNY, and a faculty member in Piano Performance at Princeton University. His roles also include teaching at the CUNY Graduate Center. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from Stony Brook University and degrees from the New England Conservatory and Peabody Conservatory. Burleson’s expertise spans classical, contemporary, and jazz performance, with notable recordings including the complete piano works of Camille Saint-Saëns and Vincent Persichetti. His awards include a JUNO Award nomination and BBC Music Choice recognition. He collaborates with ensembles like the American Modern Ensemble and SWARMIUS, and his performances have been featured globally.

Education:

• Doctor of Musical Arts, Stony Brook University (Piano with Gilbert Kalish)
• Master of Music, New England Conservatory
• Bachelor of Music, Peabody Conservatory

Research & Performance Interests: Burleson specializes in Romantic and contemporary piano literature, with a focus on rarely recorded works. His recordings emphasize historical and modernist compositions, blending technical mastery with interpretive depth.

Recent Projects: His current Naxos Grand Piano series on Saint-Saëns highlights interdisciplinary exploration, while earlier works like AKOKA (2014) reframe Messiaen’s quartet. His performances blend classical rigor with jazz spontaneity, reflecting his diverse musical engagements.

Awards & Recognition:

• JUNO Award Nomination (2015)
• International Piano Choice Award (2012)
• BBC Music Choice Award (2008)

Teaching & Mentorship: As Director of Piano Studies at Hunter College, Burleson guides students in performance and pedagogy, emphasizing technical precision and artistic expression.