The UNO School of Music proudly presents the 10th Anniversary of the 2026 Maverick PianoFest—a dynamic event designed to offer student pianists exceptional academic and artistic experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from distinguished piano educators from across North America through a series of engaging masterclasses.
The festival also features a piano competition, with cash prizes awarded to the winners.
The events will take place on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8.
- Saturday will focus on masterclasses given by our esteemed faculty as well as a round-table discussion. Lunch will be provided. The day will end with a faculty recital given by our master teachers.
- Sunday will consist of a competition, divided into Young Artist (pre-collegiate) and Collegiate Divisions. Winners and Runner-Ups will receive cash prizes.
Please note: Competition entry is not permitted without masterclass participation. Taking part in the competition is voluntary.
The 2026 Faculty
Pianist Evan Mitchell's performance highlights include solo appearances on the prestigious Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts series (Chicago) and at Merkin Concert Hall (NYC); concerti with the symphony orchestras of Dallas and Fort Worth; and recitals with such major figures as double bassist Gary Karr. Currently Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Florida School of Music, he has given masterclasses and guest artist recitals at institutions including Baylor University, the University of Oregon, and the University of Toronto. He has released solo albums with Centaur and First Hand Records and published five volumes of piano repertoire as author-editor with Tom Gerou Music. Dr. Mitchell received the DMA degree from Texas Christian University, and MM and BM degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. His principal teachers have included Arnaldo Cohen, John Owings, and the late José Feghali. Evan Mitchell is a Steinway Artist. For more, please visit www.evanmitchell.net
Erin K. Bennett is Associate Professor of Piano and Pedagogy and Keyboard Area Coordinator at the University of North Florida, where she has twice won the award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching. During her summers she serves on the faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp. As a performer, Bennett has appeared as soloist and collaborative artist across the U.S. and Europe. With her trio Serafini Brillanti, she co-directed the Beaujolais Chamber Music Festival in France, and recorded a CD featuring works by living composers written for the soprano-trumpet-piano trio. She has also been featured on recordings of the piano works of Gary Smart, and with the UNF Wind Symphony. Her current musical interests include the work of women composers, past and present. Dr. Bennett holds degrees from Rice University, the University of Florida, and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Her research into composer Irene Britton Smith is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Kristín Jónína Taylor is an Icelandic-American pianist celebrated for her captivating performances of depth and nuance. Internationally recognized for her artistry, she has championed Nordic piano repertoire on stages across the globe, including special programs in Washington, D.C. for the Ambassador of Iceland and President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. Her career has taken her to concert halls throughout the United States, Iceland, France, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Serbia, Canada, Latvia, and Lithuania. Her artistry has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Grand Prize in the Naftzger Young Artist Competition, the winner of the 2025 Solo Piano Professional Division of The American Prize, 3rd Place in the American Prize’s Marian Anderson Award in Social Justice, an Honorable Mention recognition for the American Prize’s Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music, and two silver medals from the Global Music Awards. In 2022, she was honored as Nebraska Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Music Teachers Association. Currently Associate Professor of Piano and Keyboard Area Coordinator at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Kristín is an active teacher, leader, and scholar. A Steinway Artist, Kristín was also inducted into the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame in 2021. https://kristinjoninataylor.com/
College Division
Open to pianists enrolled in college or university studies.
Young Artists Division
Open to pianists between ages 12 and 18.
Application fee
Mail a $70 check with a non-refundable application fee payable to “UNO School of Music/PianoFest”
Awards
- First Prize: $200
- Second Prize: $100
- Honorable Mention
Application information for all participants
As part of your online application, you will be asked to submit a recording which contains two works of contrasting style demonstrating the musical and technical skills of the applicant. The recording should not exceed 15 minutes total.
Deadline to apply
Friday, October 23, 2026
This event is proudly supported with a grant from the CFAM Cultural Enrichment Fund.
Area music teachers and UNO students may attend the event free of charge.
Questions?
For more information or any questions, please email Dr. Kristín Jónína Taylor, UNO Maverick PianoFest Coordinator, at kristintaylor@unomaha.edu.
Schedule
Schedule is approximate and subject to change.
All times are Central Time.
Saturday, November 7
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9 - 9:20 A.M. |
Check-in (Strauss Performing Arts Center lobby) |
|
9:20 - 9:25 A.M. |
Introductions & Brief Opening Statement (Concert Hall) |
|
9:30 - 11:30 A.M. |
Master classes with Evan Mitchell (Concert Hall), Erin Bennett (Recital Hall) & Kristín Jónína Taylor (Strauss 105) |
|
11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. |
LUNCH BREAK (Strauss Performing Arts Center lobby) |
|
12:30 - 2:30 P.M. |
Continuation of Master classes with Evan Mitchell (Concert Hall), Erin Bennett (Recital Hall) & Kristín Jónína Taylor (Strauss 105) |
|
2:30 - 3:30 P.M. |
Round Table Discussion about Career Opportunities in Music with Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Bennett, and Dr. Taylor |
|
3:30 - 4 P.M. |
Tour of the Strauss Performing Arts building as led by students from the UNO Piano Studio |
|
4 - 5:30 P.M. |
Break for practicing (2nd floor practice rooms) |
|
5:30 - 7 P.M. |
Dinner on your own |
|
7 - 8 P.M. |
Faculty Recital (Concert Hall)
|
Sunday, November 8
|
Time |
Activity |
|
8:30 A.M. |
Check-in (Strauss Lobby) & Warm-Up Time (2nd floor practice rooms) |
|
8:45 A.M. - 12 P.M. |
Competition (Recital Hall) |
|
12 - 12:15 P.M. |
Judges deliberation Free time for competitors |
|
12:15 - 12:30 P.M. |
Awards Ceremony for Young Artists and College Divisions (Recital Hall) |