Pierre van der Westhuizen

Photos: First Look at Full Circle Players’ Post-Apocalyptic TITUS ANDRONICUS
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 22, 2026

Full Circle Players presents a visceral production of TITUS ANDRONICUS, directed by Wendi Johnson, offering a contemporary, post-apocalyptic take on Shakespeare's brutal tragedy of revenge and violence.

The Gilmore and Le Piano Symphonique to Launch Transatlantic Concert Series with Sophia Liu
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 22, 2026

The Gilmore and Lucerne-based Le Piano Symphonique announced a transatlantic collaboration featuring 17-year-old Canadian pianist Sophia Liu, who will perform recitals in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Lucerne, Switzerland.

2026 Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival Unveils Spring Programming
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 21, 2025

The Gilmore will present the 2026 IRVING S. GILMORE INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL from April 30 to May 10, featuring more than 75 performances, premieres, collaborations, and community events across Southwest Michigan.

The Gilmore Unveils Inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Young Jazz Artist Awardees
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 10, 2025

Dr. Pierre van der Westhuizen, Executive and Artistic Director of The Gilmore, has named Tyler Bullock and Esteban Castro as the recipients of The Gilmore's inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Young Jazz Artist Awards. Learn more!

The Gilmore Reveals 2026 Festival Fellowship Residency Program
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2025

The Gilmore has announced the return of its Gilmore Festival Fellowship, a ten-day career-advancement residency for classical and jazz pianists 18 years and older designed to bridge artistry and professional development. Applications are now open through December 1, 2025, to take part in the residency from May 1-10, 2026. 

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Co-Commissions AMERICAN SPUTNIK
by Stephi Wild - Oct 18, 2024

Dr. Pierre van der Westhuizen, Executive and Artistic Director of The Gilmore, and Jessica Mallow Gulley, President and CEO of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra announce the co-commission of a new work for baritone, piano, and  orchestra by composer Evan Mack and Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning librettist Mark Campbell, centered on American pianist Van Cliburn and his early success.

2024 Gilmore Piano Festival To Feature Over 100 Concerts And Events, April 24- May 12
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 6, 2024

The Gilmore Piano Festival returns this year with more than 100 concerts and events featuring appearances by many of the world’s preeminent classical and jazz pianists and artists, from Wednesday, April 24 to Sunday, May 12, 2024. 

Alexandre Kantorow Receives 2024 Gilmore Artist Award
by Stephi Wild - Sep 14, 2023

French pianist Alexandre Kantorow has been named the recipient of the 2024 Gilmore Artist Award. Learn more about Kantorow here!

Kasey Shao And Harmony Zhu Named 2024 Gilmore Young Artists
by Stephi Wild - Jul 20, 2023

Pierre van der Westhuizen, Executive and Artistic Director of The Gilmore, has announced that two pianists—Kasey Shao and Harmony Zhu—have been named recipients of the 2024 Gilmore Young Artist Award.

The Gilmore Appoints Seth Abramson Director Of Jazz Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 3, 2022

Pierre van der Westhuizen, Executive and Artistic Director of The Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival, have announced the appointment of Grammy Award-winning producer Seth Abramson as Director of Jazz Awards.

The Gilmore Announces $8 Million Gift To Establish The Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 17, 2022

Pierre van der Westhuizen, Executive and Artistic Director of The Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival, today announced the establishment of the Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award for jazz pianists.

The Gilmore Presents 15th Biennial Gilmore Piano Festival
by Stephi Wild - Jan 10, 2022

The Gilmore Piano Festival—the largest gathering of keyboard artists in North America—returns to live performance this year with appearances by nearly 50 pianists in more than 100 concerts and events from Sunday, April 24 to Sunday, May 15. 

American Pianists Association Announces Update for 2021 American Pianists Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 29, 2021

The American Pianists Association has updated its 2021 classical award plans. The five finalists, Dominic Cheli, Kenny Broberg, Mackenzie Melemed, Michael Davidman and Sahun Sam Hong, have each recorded a private adjudicated recital with WFYI TV in Indianapolis.

Festival Fellowship Residency Program To Launch at 2022 Gilmore International Keyboard Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2021

The Gilmore today announced a new career-advancement initiative, The Gilmore Festival Fellowship residency program, which will offer five-day residencies to classical pianists aged 18 or older during the biennial Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, starting in 2022.

The Gilmore Announces 2020–21 Virtual Concert Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 13, 2020

Gilmore Director Pierre van der Westhuizen today announced plans for The Gilmore's 2020a?'21 virtual concert season, webcast from September 20 to May 16.

The Gilmore Announces Free Streaming Series, April 22 – May 5
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 16, 2020

In place of the 2020 Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak, The Gilmore presents Virtually Gilmore, a free video-streaming* series of performances by leading and emerging keyboard artists, from April 22 to May 5. Programs include new, Virtually Gilmore recitals, as well as stand-out performances from The Gilmore's archives. All performances will be presented on the Gilmore web site and YouTube channel. (*April 23 performance is audio-only.)

The Gilmore Will Present 15th Biennial Gilmore International KEYBOARD FESTIVAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 15, 2020

The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, which is presented biennially in Kalamazoo, is the largest gathering of keyboard artists in North America, this year including nearly 40 pianists in more than 100 concerts and events from Wednesday, April 22 to Sunday, May 10. Staging the festival for the 15th time, The Gilmore continues its commitment to showcasing the keyboard through a wide variety of programming-from solo and concerto performances by most recently named Gilmore Artist Igor Levit; to chamber jazz by Late Show bandleader Jon Batiste; to the inspiring educational work of pianist Maria João Pires, which she brings to the U.S. for the first time.

Misha Galant and Maxim Lando Named 2020 Gilmore Young Artists
by Stephi Wild - Sep 5, 2019

Two young American pianists, Misha Galant and Maxim Lando, have been named recipients of the 2020 Gilmore Young Artist Award. The Awards were announced today by Pierre van der Westhuizen, Director of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and Awards, which conducts and funds the Gilmore Artist Award program. Mr. Galant and Mr. Lando will each receive a $15,000 stipend to further their musical careers and educational development, as well as $10,000 towards the commissioning of a new piano composition for which the artist will have exclusive performance rights for one year. They will also give solo recitals and orchestral performances during the 2020 Gilmore Keyboard Festival in Kalamazooa?"April 22 through May 10.

The Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy (PYPA) Celebrates its 7th Year as an International Event
by Sarah Hookey - Jul 9, 2019

The Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy (PYPA) will be celebrating its 7th year as an international event from August 2 through August 11, 2019. For the first time, the Festival will be launched at The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, in the Perelman Theater.

7th Annual Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy Festival Announces 10 Days of Concerts and More
by Sarah Hookey - Jun 19, 2019

The Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy (PYPA) will be celebrating its 7th year as an international event from August 2 through August 11, 2019. For the first time, the Festival will be launched at The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, in the Perelman Theater, with a concert by world-renowned pianist and founder of PYPA, Ching-Yun Hu on August 2 at 7:30 p.m.