Name: Michael Shuman

Title: Piano Accompanist

 

Currently in Fayetteville, AR, Michael now serves as the rehearsal accompanist for the Opera Workshop at the University of Arkansas, as well as a collaborative artist for the university and surrounding region.

As a professional, Michael served as a collaborative artist for the Omaha, NE, metropolitan area from August 2004 to May 2006.  While in Omaha, he performed with singers, instrumentalists, and choirs in area recitals and concerts. These include the UNO Concert Choir, students from the UNO Music Department, Canticum Novum, and the Alice Buffet Middle School Choir. Michael has accompanied numerous honor choirs, including those held by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Delta State University, and the Mississippi chapter of ACDA.  Most recently, he was invited to Jekyll Island, GA, to serve as the accompanist for the first annual Joyful Noise Honor Choir.  Michael also served as the Assistant Music Director for the Mississippi Summer Arts Institute in 2002 and 2003.

 

Michael received the Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the University of  Nebraska at Omaha in May, 2006. During his time at UNO, Michael performed with the Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra; won the UNO Concerto/Aria Competition (2005); performed in master classes taught by Rimantas Vingras, Leon Bates, Dr. Logan Skelton, and Alexandra Troussova; and performed on the annual UNO Honors Recital (2005 and 2006).  While at UNO, he received the Bush Keyboard Scholarship, the Christensen Competitive Piano Award, and the Michael J. Ruetz Memorial Award in Music (vocal accompanying).

 

In 2004, he received the Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance and Vocal Performance from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS.  While at DSU, he won several competitions including the 2003 MTNA Mississippi Young Artist Piano Competition, the 2001 DSU Piano fest, and the 2001 Gladys Norris Piano Festival.  As a singer, he received awards from many organizations, including the Mississippi chapter of NATS, the Southern Region of NATS, and the Metropolitan Opera Auditions.  He received the Piano Artist and Vocal Artist Awards during his four years at DSU.