Michael Refvem, Piano

Biography

Described as an artist who “within one keystroke, creates gem tones, backlit primary colors, that can decay into pastel at his whim” (Sean MacLean, Classical KING FM 98.1), Michael Refvem enjoys a multifaceted career as recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist. Festival appearances include the Bellingham Festival of Music, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts Winter Piano Institute, Marrowstone Music Festival, Miami Music Festival, and Prague Music Performance Institute and Festival. Performances with the Bellingham Festival of Music have included solo recitals and collaborations with guest artists including saxophonist Jeffrey Siegfried and international violinist Stefan Jackiw. In Prague, he collaborated with members of the Prague Philharmonia in the Brahms Piano Quintet, and his gala performance of Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit was attended by the legendary Alfred Brendel. His performances have been heard on prominent stages in New York City (Lincoln Center Rose Studio, Manhattan School of Music Greenfield Hall), Prague (Martinů Hall, Convent of St. Agnes, National Gallery) and Seattle.

As a soloist, Mr. Refvem has performed with orchestras at the Marrowstone Music Festival and Western Washington University. Recently, he collaborated with Jeremy Berry, violist of the Calidore String Quartet, in a series of recitals and on Classical KING FM 98.1 in Seattle. Notable upcoming performances include his Montréal recital debut in L’Oasis Musicale series at La Cathédrale Christ Church, and soloist with Lake Union Civic Orchestra under the direction of Christophe Chagnard.

With a wide range of musical interests, Mr. Refvem has performed repertoire ranging from Byrd and Rameau to Adams and Rzewski. He has made it his mission to champion new music and is especially committed to spreading the music written by his colleagues. Recently, he gave the New York City premiere of Roger Briggs Impromptu at Manhattan School of Music’s Lives of the Piano lecture/concert series. On the early end of the historical spectrum is his passion for harpsichord performance, which has included solo recitals and a performance of J.S. Bach’s fifth Brandenburg Concerto at the Marrowstone Music Festival.

Mr. Refvem received his bachelor’s degree at Western Washington University, where he worked with Jeffrey Gilliam and was staff collaborative pianist. He received his master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Zenon Fishbein and André-Michel Schub. In addition, he has participated in master classes with Andrei Gavrilov, Paul-Badura Skoda, Stephen Hough, Gilbert Kalish, Jeremy Denk, and many others.

Mr. Refvem recently moved to Montréal, Quebec where, next year, he will attend the Schulich School of Music at McGill University for a Graduate Diploma in Performance as a student of Kyoko Hashimoto.