Ann Cummings, pianist, artist

Ann Cummings, a pianist of dynamic energy and provocative, musical insight presents classical music to be seen as well as heard. Her theatrical concerts have included the smashing of mirrors, the blowing of bubbles, magic tricks, 12-tone sculptures, paintings, masks, and film animations. Cummings has been presenting her multimedia concerts, formally known as Inside the Music since 1994.

Cummings began her artistic journey as a pianist at age 8. By 16 she had her debut with the Florida Orchestra playing Mozart's 21st piano concerto under Maestro Irwin Hoffman. At the University of Florida, where she graduated with honors, Cummings was the recipient of UF's four-year scholarship in music performance and UF's Friend's of Music scholarship. She was also the winner of the 17th annual School of Music Concerto competition with Rachmaninov's first piano concerto under Maestro Raymond Chobaz. After her graduation, Cummings was offered the Edith Pitts graduate scholarship to continue her studies, but marriage and a move to Seattle created a different path for her musical career.

In Seattle Cummings began work as a freelance pianist, set up a private teaching studio and studied painting and philosophy. Her research in these fields led to her multimedia approach in presenting concerts. Cummings has also released three CDs of Inside the Music which can be found at her website here or at www.CDbaby.com

Cummings is also noted for her work with new music. She has performed new works in collaboration with the Seattle Composers' Salon, the ProConArt Series at the University of Washington in Seattle, the Center for Advance Research of Technology in the Arts and Humanities at the University of Washington, recording projects for composers in the Seattle area, and world premieres live on radio station, KING FM.

In addition to her solo work, Ann enjoys collaborating with other artists in multimedia presentations of classical music. She has worked with Seattle pianists Geisa Dutra, Oana Rusu-Tomai, Jennifer Bowman, conductor George Shangrow, composer/cellist Carson Farley, clarinetist Erling Iverson, and visual artists Gwen Guidici, Kristen Morris, and Yael-Zahavey-Mittelman, along with New York artist, William Hutnick.

Cummings maintains an active performing career and teaching schedule. She serves community outreach in the arts, is often a guest lecturer and instructor for masterclasses, and recently has further extended her artistic skills to canvas. Cummings is gaining recognition as a painter in galleries in Boston, New York, Seattle, and New Jersey. Exhibition History

Cummings resides in Seattle, WA with her husband.