William Hume is a pianist, educator and musical arts advocate. He has performed on the National Public Radio program “From the Top,” at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. William has also received awards in numerous competitions including The American Prize, The New Jersey Young Artist Piano Competition and The ENKOR International Music Competition, for which he also serves as an annual jury member. While completing his bachelor’s degree in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music, William studied with Barry Snyder, Ann Schein and Alan Chow. He also earned the prestigious Arts Leadership Certificate, gaining valuable skills in arts operations and education through internships with major orchestras. During his master’s degree in piano performance at New York University, William studied with Marilyn Nonken and performed in numerous small and large ensembles. He also taught multiple piano courses as an adjunct instructor and earned an advanced certificate in pedagogy through coursework in education, theory and coaching techniques.
William completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and the Arts Management Certificate at Boston University. In his doctoral studies, William completed a dissertation titled, “Hummel Reforged: Piano Sonata Op. 81,” which presented a critical analysis of one of Hummel’s most complex piano sonatas and a connection to contemporary relevance in today’s advanced piano repertoire. His studies also furthered his passion for teaching and education through work focused on piano curriculum design and multidisciplinary collaboration in higher education. William believes that keyboard skills can significantly enhance musical aptitude across multiple lenses including performance, analysis, composition, listening, and creative musicianship. As an instructor in keyboard harmony at BU, William collaborates with the theory faculty to develop a curriculum that helps students more effectively learn music theory and gain foundational piano skills. In addition, William wants to motivate students to explore how the piano can support their personal and professional goals. While at BU, William studied piano performance and pedagogy with Gila Goldstein and Linda Jiorle-Nagy.
William also strives to help audiences forge rich relationships with music. He is doing this with his work as the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Education and Community Engagement Coordinator, as the Minister of Music in a local church, and as a teacher and educator. William has also presented recitals and workshops that integrate performance, visuals, lecture and participatory components. In recent events, William has worked with small ensembles to introduce classical music to new audiences and paired classical works with his own arrangements of popular and film music so audiences can draw connections between unfamiliar genres, delve into classical music’s vastness and vibrancy and expand their musical tastes. William is an active collaborator with a keen interest in instrumental, vocal and ensemble repertoire, always seeking opportunities for creative partnerships.