To say that pianist Patricia Higdon leads an active career as a chamber musician, teacher, and coach is an understatement. Immediately after completing graduate work at the Cleveland Institute of Music, she began working as coach/accompanist with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and subsequently joined the faculty of the Conservatory of Music of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Each season she plays dozens of recitals with faculty, graduate students, and acclaimed artists from around the world.
Her coaching and collaboration have played a significant role in the impressive accomplishments of the numerous students and young professionals who work with her, many of whom she partners to success as finalists or winners of national and international competitions. She is also in constant demand as a pianist for master classes and recording sessions. Ms. Higdon's early work with vocalists has served to provide her with a lyrical sensitivity to the instrumentalists with whom she now specializes in playing.
In 2000, she joined coloratura soprano Rebecca Sherburn and flutist Mary Posses to form the Aurora Trio, and recently formalized a longtime professional collaboration with flutist James Hall; as the Hall/Higdon Duo, these two artists have been enthusiastically received in their rapidly growing schedule of recitals together and in 2004 made their Carnegie Hall debut. In 2003, she added a position as keyboardist of the Chamber Music Society of Kansas City to her long list of activities. Ms. Higdon is married to organist James Higdon, with whom she makes her home in Kansas City.
