ASOTA Piano Festival IX 2025-2026
September 2025 – April 2026
We are excited to announce the 9th Annual Piano Festival at the University of Mobile, an All-Steinway School! This season features 16 events including guest artist recitals, pedagogy workshops, masterclasses, and student performances. From opera masterworks to American popular music and jazz, the festival offers world-class artistry and inspiring educational opportunities for our students and community.
Festival At A Glance
Hosted by the University of Mobile, an All-Steinway School, on our beautiful South Alabama campus.
• 16 concerts, recitals, workshops, and masterclasses
• Performances by internationally recognized guest artists and UM faculty
• Student showcases and piano ensemble concerts across genres
• Inspiring educational opportunities for pianists and the community
Cost: Free and open to the public (unless otherwise noted)
Presented by the University of Mobile Alabama School of the Arts.
Festival Schedule
Explore all 16 events of Piano Festival IX, featuring guest artists, faculty workshops, student performances, and more.
September 3 at 3:30pm – Piano Pedagogy Workshop “Sound Weight”
Barbara Laurendine leads a practical pedagogy session focused on touch, tone, and technique at the piano.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
September 24 at 3:30pm – Guest Artist Master Class: Dr. Donna Lee
Steinway Artist and Professor of Music at Kent State University, Dr. Donna Lee, presents a master class for pianists.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
October 1 at 7:00pm – Guest Artist Recital: Dr. Elizabeth Moak
Join us for a guest piano recital with Dr. Elizabeth Moak, Associate Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. Experience an afternoon of artistry and inspiration as Dr. Moak shares her acclaimed musicianship in Moorer Auditorium.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
October 22 at 3:30pm – Guest Artist Master Class: Gregory Sioles
Gregory Sioles, distinguished pianist and teacher with past faculty roles at Indiana University, University of Maryland, and LSU, presents a guest artist master class.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
November 4 at 7:00pm – Piano Ensemble “An Evening with Opera Masterworks”
ASOTA piano ensembles present opera masterworks in collaboration with student performers.
Location: Burnett Center, University of Mobile
November 5 at 3:30pm – Dr. Kathryn Hedlund Workshop
“Finding the Balance: Alexander Technique and Alignment for Pianists” — a workshop led by Dr. Kathryn Hedlund.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
November 6 at 7:00pm – An Evening of R&B Piano Duet
Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva and Maggie Stith share an evening of R&B piano duets, blending artistry and style.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
January 20 at 7:00pm – IXth Annual All-Steinway School Celebration Concert
Celebrate the University of Mobile’s distinction as an All-Steinway School with performances by faculty, students, and guest artists.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
January 21 at 3:30pm – Piano Pedagogy Workshop “Reading Well: Effective Sight-Reading Pedagogy”
Dr. Stephanie Archer, NCTM, Assistant Professor of Music at UM, leads a workshop on strategies for successful sight-reading.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
February 10 at 7:00pm – Guest Artist Recital: Faina Lushtak
Steinway Artist and Professor of Music at Tulane University, Faina Lushtak, presents a solo recital.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
February 11 at 10:00am – Guest Artist Master Class: Faina Lushtak
Master class for pianists with Steinway Artist and Tulane University Professor, Faina Lushtak.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
February 21, 9:00am–5:30pm – Gulf Coast Steinway Society Music Competition XI
A full day of outstanding performances by competitors in the annual Gulf Coast Steinway Society Music Competition.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
March 9 at 5:30pm – Guest Artist Master Class: Dr. Marian Lee
Dr. Marian Lee, Professor and Chair of Music at St. Ambrose University, leads a master class for pianists.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
March 10 at 7:00pm – Chamber Concert “Music from Baroque to Modern”
ASOTA student pianists present a chamber concert exploring repertoire from Baroque through contemporary works.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
March 24 at 7:00pm – Piano Duet “American Masters: Bernstein & Brubeck”
Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva and Greg Wiggins perform American classics by Leonard Bernstein and Dave Brubeck.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
April 1 at 3:30pm – Guest Artist Master Class: Dr. Ksenia Nosikova
Steinway Artist and Professor of Piano at the University of Iowa, Dr. Ksenia Nosikova, presents a master class for pianists.
Location: Moorer Auditorium, Martin Hall, University of Mobile
April 23 at 7:00pm – Piano Ensemble “The American Popular Music”
The Piano Ensemble closes the season with a celebration of American popular music.
Location: Burnett Center, University of Mobile
Questions about the Festival?
Contact Dr. Onalbayeva
Keep up with ASOTA on socials!
