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The American pianist, Pianist Ronald, began his musical studies at the age of sixteen and was performing in concert within eighteen months. He earned his Bachelor (1997) and Master of Music (1999) degrees in Piano Performance at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia His principal teachers have included Samuel Bartos, Frederic Chiu, Paul Ostrovsky, Elizabeth Temple (Shenandoah Conservatory) and Ruby Morgan (Furman University). He has also performed in master-classes with international acclaimed artists such as: John O’Conor, André Watts. Mario Kay Ocker, Gerhardt & Barbara Suhrstedt, Maurice Hinson, Jack Roberts, Richard Cass, Leon Bates, and Max Camp.
Ronald Hawkins has received numerous awards and honors. In September 2007, he received the prestigious 2007 Young Career Award for his achievements in music. He is the recipient of the 1998-1999 Sullivan Grant and in February 1999 was selected Who’s Who Among College Students by Shenandoah Conservatory. Other scholarships include: the Richard Ford Foundation Deeper Piano Studies Grant, Hartt School Faculty Development Grant, Rose Hanus Full Scholarship; Greer Outreach Program for Young Artist (1991-1992); Greer Music Club (1991-1993); Brevard Piano Scholarship (1991-1993); Shenandoah Conservatory Keyboard Scholarship (1994-1999); Marion Park Lewis Foundation for the Arts (1995-1997); Cecil Hefner Scholarship (1999); and honors in composition and piano at the Brevard Summer Music Camp (1991). In February 2002, Web Concert Hall named him Artist of the Month.
Ronald Hawkins Hawkins is quickly establishing himself as one of the country’s leading pianists and has earned international acclaim for his sensitive and insightful performances. He has performed throughout the Eastern USA (South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Washington DC, New York, Maryland, and Tennessee), and he also performed in England. His international debut was in 1997 at the Rachmaninoff Conference held at Pendrell Concert Hall in England, for which he received international acclaim. The Independent states that, “Hawkins gave a thoughtful and insightful performance. His keyboard manner is undemonstrative and leaves one free to enjoy his music without distraction.” Subsequent to his international debut, he has performed in concert and recital halls, museums, universities, libraries and churches throughout England, Scotland, Hungary, Russia and the USA, including such venues as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, The Lyceum, Milford Center for the Arts, Russian Culture Center (Tchaikovsky Great Hall) and St. Martins-in-the-Fields. In his performances he captures his audiences with his energy, enthusiasm, and personal warmth as well as with a love for the music he plays. In 2007 he made a concert tour throughout the USA and Europe with J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations (BWV 988).
Ronald Hawkins is also lecturer, coach, and collaborative artist. He is a member of the Rachmaninoff Society. From 1998 he serves in the summers as assistant piano director for the Shenandoah Performing Arts Camp in Winchester, Virginia.
Ronald Hawkins appears on Jamlet Records, Pier Records, PBS Records, with a discography that includes "Ronald Hawkins, Piano", "Journey", "Christmas Is", "Ancient Irish Airs & Dances", "Biltmore Estate Christmas" and "The War That Made America". He has also recorded for two PBS mini-series, They Made America and The War that Made America (French & Indian War).
Ronald Hawkins lives in Connecticut, USA, where he enjoys spending his free time with his dogs, Andy, Ty and Dakota. |
