Michelle Cann
“a pianist of sterling artistry” -Gramophone
Lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer and “a pianist of sterling artistry” by Gramophone, GRAMMY Award winning pianist Michelle Cann is one of the most sought-after artists of her generation. Recent engagements include appearances with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and Orquestra Sinfônica Municipal de São Paulo. She is a recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award, and she served as the inaugural Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner of the American Piano Awards.
Biography
Lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer and “a pianist of sterling artistry” by Gramophone, GRAMMY Award winning pianist Michelle Cann is one of the most sought-after artists of her generation. Recent engagements include appearances with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and Orquestra Sinfônica Municipal de São Paulo. She is a recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award, and she served as the inaugural Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner of the American Piano Awards.
Highlights of Cann’s 2025-26 season include appearances with the Colorado Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and Ireland’s National Symphony Orchestra. She also performs the world premiere of a new piano concerto by Valerie Coleman with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. Her recital appearances include Stanford Live, Music Toronto, Chamber Music Detroit, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Spivey Hall, and a recital tour in China.
Recognized as a leading interpreter of the piano music of Florence Price, Cann performed the New York City premiere of Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with The Dream Unfinished Orchestra in 2016. Her recording of the concerto with the New York Youth Symphony won a GRAMMY Award in 2023 for Best Orchestral Performance. She won a GRAMMY Award in 2025 for Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price, recorded with soprano Karen Slack, which features 19 unpublished songs composed by Price. Her acclaimed debut solo album Revival, featuring music by Price and Margaret Bonds, was released in 2023.
Cann holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and an Artist’s Diploma from Curtis Institute of Music. She joined the Curtis piano faculty in 2020 as the inaugural Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano Studies, and she is on the piano faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.
Listen now to Michelle Cann’s solo album Revival, Music of Price and Bonds: Curtis.edu/revival.
Read full biography in the artist’s promotional kit.
Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano Studies
Ms. Cann is the inaugural Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano Studies. The chair honors the memory of the school’s longest serving faculty member, the esteemed Eleanor Sokoloff, and is to be held in perpetuity only by an exceptionally gifted and forward-thinking female pianist.
Discography
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Revival: Music of Price & Bonds
Revival, Music of Price & BondsMichelle Cann’s debut solo piano recording, Revival, celebrates the vast legacy of Florence Price and Margaret Bonds, whose extraordinary music was either neglected in their lifetimes or abandoned after their deaths.
“[Cann] possesses a pristine technical command of the keyboard, and is capable of transmitting in every note a surprising calm and beauty, today a rare gift.” –EarRelevant
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Florence Price: Piano Concerto in One Movement
Florence Price: Piano Concerto in One Movement with New York Youth Symphony
GRAMMY Award-winning Recording!
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Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price
Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price
GRAMMY Award-winning Recording!
Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price, recorded by soprano Karen Slack and pianist Michelle Cann, features 19 unpublished songs by Price, including 16 world premiere recordings.
“Voluptuous rapture tends to prevail—a gift to Michelle Cann’s ardently responsive pianism and Karen Slack’s vocal resources” –BBC Music Magazine
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Our Stories: Contemporary Works by Black & Latinx Composers
Our Stories: Contemporary Works by Black & Latinx Composers
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Uncovered, Vol. 2: Florence B. Price — Catalyst Quartet & Michelle Cann
Uncovered, Vol. 2: Florence B. Price — Catalyst Quartet & Michelle CannReleased in February 2022 on Azica Records, the album is the second issue of a multi-volume anthology highlighting chamber music works by historically important Black composers which aims to bring greater awareness and programming of their music. Vol. 2 explores the work of the African-American composer Florence B. Price, and includes four world premiere recordings. Already garnering critical acclaim, the release underlines the importance of Price’s output for chamber music and showcases all six of her surviving works for string quartet and piano quintet in “richly imagined performances” (Financial Times) by the Catalyst Quartet and Michelle Cann.
Press
“Michelle Cann [is] a pianist of sterling artistry.”
Gramophone, March 2022
“Pianist Michelle Cann is exquisite…A more stirring and authoritative performance may not exist. It sets a standard.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“She’s technically fearless, with a bold attack and an enormous, rich sound…. But even more than Cann’s virtuosity, it was her joyous, lit-from-within energy that connected with the audience.”
La Scena Musicale
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View More
Seen and Heard International: May 2025
“[Michelle Cann] is a vibrant performer, capable of communicating depths of emotion through her playing while delivering impressive virtuosity. In her lecture/recital format, she also demonstrated that she is a skilled storyteller verbally as well, filling in the connections between the composers.”
Musical America Worldwide: February 3, 2025
EarRelevant: November 15, 2024
“Michelle Cann delivered a captivating performance in a solo recital that showcased both technical brilliance and emotional depth.”
Cleveland Classical: October 24, 2024
“The highlight for me was the last work, the Poulenc Sextet, which was elevated if not utterly revealed by Michelle Cann at the piano. She is a wonderful chamber contributor, fitting inside textures or improving everything around her, but also — as Poulenc seems to have had in mind — serving as leader of the band. The ensemble was unanimous in conveying the music’s manic shifts, from raucous to melancholic, and the majesty of the final coda, which brought the audience to their feet.”
The Winnipeg Free Press: March 24, 2024
“Judging by the crowd of 1,575’s enthusiastic response, including two standing ovations and even an exuberant ‘I love you’ shouted from the house, it’s likely we’ll be seeing this dynamo grace this stage again.”
Observer: March 16, 2024
“…the Sarasota Orchestra struck gold by inviting pianist Michelle Cann to perform in its latest Masterworks concert. The measure of her talent, passion and artistry was overwhelming….This performance had everything we could want…”
Buffalo Rising: March 4, 2023
“Cann takes no prisoners at the keyboard. The audience fell in love with her performances…and it was obvious from her walk-on applause from the orchestra that the musicians had fallen in love with her, too.”
Chicago Classical Review: June 16, 2022
“Cann clearly knows [Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement] in her bones. In the final section, she tore through Price’s rollicking, ragtime-infused melodies with the red-hot glee of a honky-tonk pianist….Cann rode the orchestral waves like a proud ship on a powerful sea.”
Chicago Tribune: June 16, 2022
“In her mighty performance of Price’s concerto, Cann didn’t just surmount the acoustic challenges of the Pritzker Pavilion stage: She sailed over them with the grace and flexibility of a high jumper, her powerful fingerwork crisply enunciating her interplay with the orchestra. After a big-boned exposition, Cann toggled easily to the luscious, unaffected sincerity of the lyric middle section…to the heady exhilaration of a ragtime-like Allegretto.”
CVNC: February 28, 2022
“[Florence Price’s] Sonata in E minor is a unique fusion of the European Romantic ballade sound with Black spiritual foundations. It requires a dramatic cohesive approach, and Cann displayed an ease and familiarity that was astonishing. The entire piece was played with an improvisatory attitude, belying its underlying meticulous structure. It flowed effortlessly, like a grandparent passing on a family story, and was a personal favorite of the night.”
La Scena Musicale: November 1, 2021
“She’s technically fearless, with a bold attack and an enormous, rich sound, and she powered through Price’s numerous challenges with aplomb. But even more than Cann’s virtuosity, it was her joyous, lit-from-within energy that connected with the audience.”
Seen and Heard International: July 7, 2021
“Cann has taken a special interest in the music of Florence Price and clearly believes in it. Beyond that advocacy, Cann also happens to be a masterful player with a commanding presence.”
Philadelphia Inquirer: February 17, 2021
“Pianist Michelle Cann is exquisite…A more stirring and authoritative performance [of Florence Price’s Concerto in One Movement] may not exist. It sets a standard.”
Classical Voice North America: November 19, 2018
“Cann owns [Price’s Concerto in One Movement] now, and experiencing her interpretation of the captivating score was a highlight…The performance was stunning in its beauty.”
KnoxTNToday.com: May 18, 2018
“She has a fluid playing style that makes getting up and down the keyboard flow with ease and grace…In Cann’s performance…the audience was captivated.”
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Recent News
Michelle Cann and Tommy Mesa Release Album of Contemporary Works by Black and Latinx Composers
CalPerformances Artist Spotlight: 5 Questions with Groundbreaking Pianist Michelle Cann.
Ms. Cann appears on the Living the Classical Life.
Part 1: Overcoming self-doubt and finding a path in life.
Part 2: The life and music of Florence Price.
Classical Post: August 25, 2021
Sphinx Organization: July 26, 2021
6ABC News: February 22, 2021
Pianist Michelle Cann makes history playing music composed by Black pioneer
WHYY: February 20, 2021
‘Why have I never heard of this?’: Phila Orchestra revives America’s first Black woman composer
Philadelphia Inquirer: November 17, 2020
Curtis Institute of Music: November 17, 2020
WUOT: May 16, 2018
Repertoire
Repertoire is subject to change and must be approved by Michelle Cann. Contact the Curtis Institute of Music with any inquiries.
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Concertos
BEETHOVEN Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 BEETHOVEN Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 (“Emperor”) BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 CHOPIN Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 CHOPIN Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 LISZT Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, S. 124 GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue (can be paired with Price Piano Concerto in One Movement) GERSHWIN Second Rhapsody GERSHWIN Concerto in F GRIEG Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 MACDOWELL Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 23 MENDELSSOHN Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 MOZART Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414 MOZART Concerto No. 17 in G major, K. 414 MOZART Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467 MOZART Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488 POULENC Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in D minor, FP 61* PRICE Concerto in One Movement (can be paired with Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin Second Rhapsody, Ravel Concerto in G major, or Strauss Burleske in D minor) RACHMANINOFF Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 RAVEL Concerto in G major (can be paired with Price Piano Concerto in One Movement) SAINT-SAËNS Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 CLARA SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7 ROBERT SCHUMANN Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 STRAUSS Burleske in D minor, TrV 145 (can be paired with Price Piano Concerto in One Movement) *performed with Kimberly Cann TCHAIKOVSKY Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 -
2025-26 Season Recital Repertoire
RECITAL PROGRAM I
The Women of Chicago’s Black Renaissance
Performance to include spoken commentary and storytelling about the fascinating lives and journeys of these trailblazing artists.
HOLT Negro Dance Op. 25, No. 1 JACKSON KING Four Seasonal Sketches PRICE Fantasie nègre No. 2 PRICE Fantasie nègre No. 1 —intermission— BRITTON SMITH Variations on a Theme by MacDowell BONDS Spiritual Suite Encore prepared
RECITAL PROGRAM II
CHOPIN Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 47 THOMPSON My Dungeon Shook, Three American Preludes (mvt. II and III only) MENDELSSOHN Fantasie in F-sharp minor, Op. 28 —intermission— GRANT STILL A Deserted Plantation Spiritual Young Missy Dance LISZT Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514 Alternate option for the second half of the program (keeping the same first half above):
PRICE Sonata in E minor LISZT Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514
RECITAL PROGRAM III
Music of Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, and Johannes BrahmsProgram to include:
CLARA SCHUMANN Variations on a Theme of Robert Schumann, Op. 20 BRAHMS Eleven Variations on an Original Theme in D major, Op. 21, No. 1 ROBERT SCHUMANN Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 14
Collaborations
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Cann Duo
Sisters Michelle and Kimberly Cann regular perform duo piano recitals together. Their “sheer verve and evident passion is something to behold” (Mountain Xpress).
Duo Recital Program I
BACH: Trio Sonata No. 4 in E minor, BWV 528 (arr. Babin)
SCHUMANN: Andante and Variations in B-flat major, Op. 46
LEIBOWITZ: Let My People GoIntermission
BERNSTEIN: Symphonic Dances, from West Side Story (arr. Musto)
STRAUSS: “Ständchen,” Op. 17, No. 2 (arr. Chasins)
LUTOSŁAWSKI: Variations on a Theme of PaganiniDuo Recital Program II
BACH: Trio Sonata No. 4 in E minor, BWV 528 (arr. Babin)
STRAUSS: “Ständchen,” Op. 17, No. 2 (arr. Chasins)
TANSMAN: Fantaisie sur les valses de Johann Strauss
LUTOSŁAWSKI: Variations on a Theme of PaganiniIntermission
BERNSTEIN: Symphonic Dances, from West Side Story (arr. Musto)
LEIBOWITZ: Let My People Go
MAYEVSKY: Fantasy on George Gershwin’s Songs -
Imani Winds and Michelle Cann
Michelle Cann, a Grammy Award–winning pianist celebrated for her expressive clarity and artistry, joins the acclaimed Grammy Award–winning Imani Winds known for their dynamic, genre-spanning sound. Together, they deliver a performance that is bold, fluid, and full of imagination.
Sample Program
Paquito D’RIVERA: A Little Cuban Waltz
SCHIFRIN: La Nouvelle Orleans
Francis POULENC: Trio for oboe, bassoon and pianoIntermission
Valerie COLEMAN: Portraits of Langston
Francis POULENC: Sextet for Piano and WindsCollaborative performances of the Imani Winds and Michelle Cann are booked in collaboration with AMG – Artist Management Group.
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Tommy Mesa, cello and Michelle Cann
Cuban-American cellist Tommy Mesa, recipient of Lincoln Center’s 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Sphinx Organization’s 2023 Medal of Excellence, joins acclaimed pianist Michelle Cann for compelling and wide-ranging duo programs that highlight their electrifying musical chemistry. Their debut album, Our Stories, features works by emerging composers of color commissioned by the Sphinx Organization, offering a powerful and personal musical statement that reflects a vibrant range of voices and perspectives.
Sample Program
Claude Debussy: Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano
Andrea CASARRUBIOS: Mensajes del agua
Kevin DAY: Cello SonataIntermission
RACHMANINOFF: Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op. 19
Collaborative performances of Tommy Mesa and Michelle Cann are booked in collaboration with Dinin Arts Management.
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Karen Slack, soprano and Michelle Cann
Renowned for her artistic versatility, radiant stage presence, and entrepreneurial vision, soprano Karen Slack joins forces with acclaimed pianist Michelle Cann for a luminous, deeply expressive recital program that captivate from the first note. Together, they bring to life the rich legacy of composers including Florence Price and Margaret Bonds with elegance, power, and emotional immediacy. Their Grammy Award-winning album Beyond the Years is a landmark recording—boldly illuminating the depth, beauty, and enduring resonance of this essential repertoire.
Sample Program
RAVEL: Deux mélodies hébraïques, M. A22: 1. Kaddisch
SCHUBERT: “Die Liebe hat gelogen”, D.751
SCHUBERT: “Gretchen am Spinnrade”, D.118
SCHUBERT: “Der Tod und das Mädchen”, D. 531 (Op. 7/3)
PRICE: “The Dawn’s Awake”
PRICE: “Bright be the Place”
PRICE: “Ships that Pass in the Night”
PRICE: “I Remember”
PRICE: “Sacrament”
PRICE: “Winter Idyl”Intermission
PRICE: “Who Grope with Love for Hands”
PRICE: “The Sum”
PRICE: “Beyond the Years”
PRICE: “There be None”
PRICE: “Youth”
PRICE: “Spring”
PRICE: “Pittance”
PRICE: “What do I Care for Morning” -
J'Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano and Michelle Cann
Grammy Award winners mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and pianist Michelle Cann unite for a program of rich musical storytelling and artistry. Together, they bring warmth, nuance, and emotional depth to a wide-ranging program that highlights both intimate lyricism and soaring intensity.
Collaborative performances of J’Nai Bridges and Michelle Cann are booked in collaboration with IMG Artists.
Residencies
Collegiate
Engaging with communities and working with students is central to Ms. Cann’s mission as a performing artist and educator. She has experience designing and leading in-school interactive performances and individual instruction curated by students’ age, skill level, and learning objectives. Her goal is to meet students where they are and to use music as a means of connection.
Ms. Cann offers a variety of instruction for collegiate level music students, including:
- Piano master classes
- Chamber music coaching
- Workshops on developing and leading effective community engagement activities
- Lecture-demonstrations on Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, and other topics
Elementary through High School
Ms. Cann offers age-appropriate interactive programs encouraging active participation with a focus on performance and learning objectives. She also offers piano master classes for advanced high school students.
Contact
General Management
Andrew Lane
Vice President, Touring and Artist Management
Executive Director, Curtis Artist Management
(215) 717-3124
andrew.lane@curtis.edu
Booking Inquiries (North America)
Brayton Arvin
Artist Manager and Booking Representative
(215) 875-4204
brayton.arvin@curtis.edu
Julie Gaitens
Booking Representative
(215) 717-3146
julie.gaitens@curtis.edu
Booking Inquiries (Europe)
Julika Castro
Booking Representative, Europe
+49 (0)178-514 43 26
julika.castro@curtis.edu
Engagement Advancing
Catelyn Cohen
Manager of Artist Services
(215) 717-3129
catelyn.cohen@curtis.edu
Curtis Artist Management
Curtis Artist Management offers personalized, comprehensive management and global representation for a curated group of distinguished alumni and faculty artists.