An Interview with Pianist Drew Petersen
Q: How has winning or being a finalist with the American Piano Awards impacted your career?
A: Oh my goodness. Well, this is an easy question to answer. The American Piano Awards really opened my career and my relationship to the Midwest in a way I never expected.
Before 2016, the Midwest was kind of a blank space for me. I’m a Northeast kid—born in New Jersey, family in Florida, school in Cambridge, Mass, and New York City. I’d been to Chicago once for something unrelated to music, but otherwise I hadn’t spent much time in the region.
That all changed after the Awards. The love and support from the Indianapolis community allowed me to connect on both an artistic and personal level. From there, doors opened to presenters, venues, and music lovers in all states throughout the Midwest. In Indiana, I’ve performed with the Terre Haute Symphony three times since winning, and I’ve been continually amazed at the passion for classical music in even the smallest towns.
The Awards also connected me with orchestras nationwide and an incredible network of conductors and musicians. And the Indianapolis community has been nothing short of miraculous—continuing to show up, even years later. When I returned to perform in Plainfield, Indiana this past March, friends from my APA days made the trip just to support and reminisce. For this visit, my “host mother” from my time as an APA finalist, Janet Nine, was once again able to host me in her home. These relationships, now nearly a decade old, have only deepened with time.
Q: Who were your early musical influences, and who inspires you now?
A: My first teacher, David Bradshaw—a Juilliard graduate—pointed me toward classical piano. Growing up near New York City, I had access to incredible teachers, such as Miyoko Lotto at Manhattan School Precollege, Jerome Lowenthal, and Bob McDonald at Juilliard.
I’m inspired by artists who combine technical mastery with spontaneity—those who can be completely in the moment yet keep a clear inner structure. It’s that elusive alchemy we all strive for, and I gravitate toward musicians who embrace that vulnerability and connection with their audience.
Q: In February 2026, you’ll perform in Indianapolis with violinist Sirena Huang, winner of the International Violin Competition. What’s it like to perform in a duo setting?
A: Duo recitals are among the most intimate collaborations. Sirena and I go way back—although we both grew up studying music in New York City, we actually first properly met overseas as performers at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland! We grew up together at Juilliard…so reuniting for this performance is not just a professional joy, but a personal one.
Q: What are some of your earliest musical memories?
A: My childhood home in New Jersey had my grandfather’s oil paintings and an old upright piano from my mom’s youth. The piano wasn’t in great shape, but as a toddler I was fascinated by the sounds I could make. I’d find sheet music in the bench and ask what it meant.
That curiosity has never left me. Music, like life, is something I’ll never tire of exploring. Over time, my relationship with certain works has changed—Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, for example, was one of the first I learned at age 10, but only recently have I fallen deeply in love with it again. Music can express emotions beyond words, and that endless depth keeps me coming back.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: This season I’m touring a solo recital program ranging from Mozart to John Adams, plus Franz Liszt’s dazzling reimagining of Don Giovanni. I’m also performing chamber music with Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players and concertos like Beethoven’s Third with orchestras across the country.
Q: And when you’re not at the piano?
A: I love being outdoors—swimming in open water, hiking in places like Big Sur, doing yoga, and simply walking in nature. I read a lot, cook (and enjoy when others cook for me), and spend time with friends. Touring can be thrilling, but nothing replaces being home and connected to my community.