About Austin
Austin Phillips is a dedicated pianist, chamber musician, and piano instructor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began playing the piano at age six and holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with internationally renowned pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Some of his other past teachers include Mr. John McCarthy, Dr. Jed Galant, and Dr. Namiq Sultanov.
From a young age, he competed in piano competitions throughout the Bay Area and earned multiple awards. In 2009, he received the People’s Choice Award in KDFC’s Classical Star Search. His competition highlights include the Zeiter Competition and Ross McKee Piano Competition.
As a passionate chamber musician and active performer, Austin has attended prestigious programs such as California Summer Music and Summer Music West. His piano duo performed at the Peggy and Malkin Festival at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and he has played in masterclasses for renowned artists. In addition to solo and chamber performances, he maintains an active schedule as a pianist for multiple churches and special events. He has worked as an accompanist for young violinists and choirs, including the Cantabella Children’s Chorus, and regularly volunteers at festivals, veterans’ residences, and senior living communities.
As a piano teacher, Austin draws on his extensive training and performance experience to guide students of all ages and levels. He emphasizes strong technical fundamentals, musical understanding, sight-reading, and efficient technique, while tailoring lessons to each student’s individual goals. His hands-on approach helps students develop confidence, beautiful tone, and greater independence.
Education:
Bachelor’s in Applied Piano Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music “24
Nottingham High School ‘18
Private teachers (past/present):
Dr. Namiq Sultanov, San Jose State University, 2023-present
Dr. Daniel Shapiro, Cleveland Institute of Music, 2023-24
Mr. Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Cleveland Institute of Music, 2018-23
Dr. Jed Galant, (510)789-7790, Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University, 2016-18
Mr. John McCarthy, (415)353-3267, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 2013-15
Recitals given:
2023 — Senior Recital at the Cleveland Institute of Music (Mixon Hall)
2021 — Junior Recital at the Cleveland Institute of Music (virtual)
2018 — Performance for Fazioli pianos at Piedmont Piano Company, 2018
2016-17 — Recitals at Dr. Galant’s residence, 2016-2017
2017 — Berkeley Piano Club, 2017
2015, 17 — Piano accompanist for Cantabella Children’s Choir, 2015, 2017
2015 — Steinway Gallery, San Francisco, 2015
2015-16 — Veteran’s Memorial Hospitals
2014-16 — Quail Garden’s Senior Home, Sunrise Villa Senior Home, Brookdale Danville Diablo Senior Home, Sunrise Senior Living
2015-16 Accompanist for various violin recitals
Awards and Distinctions:
April 2018 — Ross McKee Piano Competition, Finalist
February 2018 — MTAC (Music Teacher’s Association of CA) Northern Division, scholarship prize
January 2018 — Zieter Piano Competition, Semi-finalist, Selected for Masterclass
April 2017 — MTAC (Music Teacher’s Association of CA) Solo competition, Northern Division, Honorable Mention
February 2017 — Advanced Level, Certificate of Merit of MTAC
April 2017 — East Bay Music Festival, Senior piano competition, 3rd Place
2015, 2017 — Junior Bach Festival, Selected participant
2016, 2017 — Ross McKee Piano Competition, Semi-finalist, February
2015 — Ross McKee Piano Competition, Finalist, June
2015 — USOMC (United States Open Music Competition) Senior Division, 3rd Place
2014 — USOMC (United States Open Music Competition) Intermediate Division, 2nd Place
Summer Programs:
2017 — Solo Performance at Colburn School of Music, Concerto Competition at Colburn School of Music
2016 — Chamber Music Ensemble + Solo Performance, California Summer Music
2015 — Solo Performances, Pacific Music Senior Piano Camp
2014 — Chamber Music Ensemble, Summer Music West, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Recently performed repertoire:
J.S. Bach: Partita No. 2, BWV 826
J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in A flat Major BWV 862
Haydn: Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVI:37
Mozart: Piano Quartet in E flat major, K. 493
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 10 No. 3
Beethoven: Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70 No. 1
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17, Op. 31 No. 2
Haydn: Sonata in E flat Major, Hob. XVI No. 52
Chopin: Black Key Etude Op. 10 No. 5
Chopin: Scherzo No. 3, Op. 39, in C-sharp minor
Grieg: Holberg Suite, Op. 40
Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 1
Poulenc: Trois Pieces
Rachmaninoff: Elegie Op. 5 in E flat minor
Debussy: Selections from Books 1 and 2, Preludes
Chopin: Etude Op. 25 No. 6
Corigliano: Fantasia on an Ostinato
Currently studying:
Bach: Toccata in e minor, BWV 914
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17, Op. 31 No. 2
Lizst: Sonetto del Petrarca 104, No. 5