Joseph A. Bognar, Piano

Biography

Joseph A. Bognar completed undergraduate studies in piano and organ at Valparaiso University. Awarded two
university fellowships, Joseph studied piano with internationally renowned accompanist John Wustman at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign. He has performed in masterclasses led by Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and Dennis Helmrich and made his professional
debut with violinist Irena Muresanu in 1996 His playing was described as “excellent...always satisfying the composers’ intentions.”

Joseph has performed in recitals and chamber programs at Ancilla College, the University of Nevada, North Park University Chicago, Kalamazoo College and Luther College.
As a proponent of contemporary music, he has premiered works by Stephen Wilcox at the University of Illinois, Indiana University,
Indiana State University and the Peabody Conservatory of Music. In 1999 and 2000, Dr. Bognar served on the faculty of the Lutheran
Summer Music Program. In 2002, he joined the artist faculty of the Maud Powell Music Festival, where he performed in recital with
violinist Cheryl Norman. Dr. Bognar is Assistant Professor of Music at Valparaiso University where he teaches piano, harpsichord, music
theory and history, and freshman humanities and performs as pianist of the Castillon Trio.