B i o g r a p h y
An active soloist and chamber musician, Mary Vanhoozer continues to gain recognition for her lyricism and imaginative interpretations of piano repertoire: known for her exhilarating performances, engaging stage presence, and creative programming, she has received invitations to perform across the United States: recent performances include recitals at Wheaton College Conservatory, Biola University, Denison University, and the Maybeck Studio for the Performing Arts. Mary has also organized and performed in multiple concerts, tours and clinics at schools including Westmont College and the Collinsworth School of Music at California Baptist University.
Mary has performed in prestigious venues including Orchestral Hall in Chicago and the Chicago Cultural Center. She has appeared as soloist with the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra and the Lake Forest Symphony Orchestra; this spring she appears with the Corona Symphony to perform Beethoven's Emperor Concerto. Her debut recording for solo piano, From Leipzig to LA, features the complete keyboard partitas of J. S. Bach as well as a commissioned work, Partita Picosa, by Josh Rodriguez.
Mary grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she learned Scottish fiddle with June Nelson, a member of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. Mary's French mother further cultivated a love of music by introducing Mary to French folk songs at an early age. These formative experiences continue to fuel Mary's artistic work and creativity today: Mary is an avid folk musician, currently studying traditional European music for hurdy gurdy with Richard Taylor. She is also a melodist, and enjoys writing tunes and arranging traditional folk tunes to be played on her growing instrument family: violin, hurdy gurdy, and hammered dulcimer.
Mary released her first album of original music in 2015, Songs of Day and Night. The music reflects both her love of folk music as well as early music sensibilities, demonstrated in transparent textures and modal melodies. Mary's second album of original music, Bard and Ceilidh, features instrumentals as well as songs. Mary is also joined on some tracks by lute player Laudon Schuett and cellist Robert Nicholson. The album has received positive reception, and has been broadcast on the UK National FM radio.
Mary is co-founder of Pear Tree and Partridge, a duo of renaissance women with a passion for bringing art and beauty into conversation with the rhythms and routines of everyday life. In addition to concerts, Pear Tree and Partridge also shares blogs, poetry, and recipes on their website, creating a virtual space for artistic reflection and personal rejuvenation. The duo is currently working on arrangements of Christmas carols to share with listeners for the 2020 Christmas season.
Mary currently serves as applied piano faculty at the Collinsworth School of Music at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA. She received her BM from Wheaton College Conservatory, her MM from the Eastman School of Music, and her DMA from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Her music mentors are Carol Honigberg, Daniel Paul Horn, Daniel Shapiro, Peter Slowik, Paul O'Dette, Vincent Lenti and Douglas Humpherys.
