Faculty
Dr. Cathal Breslin
Piano, International Piano Academy and FestivalCathal Breslin has been praised worldwide as one of the most exciting pianists of his generation with critical acclaim such as superb intensity and passion (Cleveland Plain Dealer), "energising" (Belfast Telegraph), and "a deep connection to the music" (Tampa Oracle). Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, a growing international career has taken him to concert halls throughout Europe, U.S.A. and Asia.
Recent concerto performances have been with the Turin Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Ulster Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, RTE Concert Orchestra, and with prestigious conductors such as Vladimir Altschuler, Barry Douglas, Christian Gansch, Giovanni Battista Rigon, Niklas Willen, Courtney Lewis, and Matthew Coorey. Recent solo recitals have been throughout China, Korea and Japan; Florida, Ohio, California, Michigan and Texas in U.S.; throughout Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Poland and Portugal, U.K. and Ireland. Highlights last Season included a Carnegie Hall Debut Recital in New York City, in Madrid, Lisbon, Sofia, Warsaw, an 11-concert solo tour of China, Korea and Japan, and a 5-concert tour of the U.S. with Trio Festivale. In December 2011 he completed an extensive tour that included the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, University of South Florida in Tampa, American Irish Historical Society in New York, Rice University in Houston, and Wigmore Hall in London, England.
In 2007 Cathal was awarded the Bronze Medal at the Viotti International Piano Competition in Vercelli/ Milan, Italy, a World Federation International Music Competition. Other international competition successes have included top prizes in "Carlet" in Valencia, "Grand Konzerteum" in Athens, and "Iowa" in the U.S. He has broadcast regularly for BBC Radio 3, RTE and Radio Ulster, RTVE Spain, and has performed on Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and Irish Television many times. His Mozart and Takemitsu recordings for the European Broadcasting Union network have been broadcast in over 30 countries worldwide.As a chamber musician, Cathal performs as a member of Trio Festivale, and in duo recitals with French violinist Augustin Dumay, American flutist Richard Sherman, and British cellist Raphael Wallfisch.
Cathal began his Conservatory studies at the Royal College of Music in London with John Barstow, continuing at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with Kathryn Stott, Benjamin Frith and Alexander Melnikov. He then lived in Madrid for two years studying with Joaquin Soriano. In 2008 he received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan, studying with Arthur Greene, where he was also a Fulbright Scholar and Teaching Assistant.
In 2008 Cathal and his wife, American flutist Sabrina Hu, founded and became Artistic Directors of the Walled City Music Festival and Concert Series in Derry, Northern Ireland, with the aim of creating a brighter future for young musicians in N. Ireland – peace and reconciliation through music. The Festival has featured the Kronos Quartet, Sir James Galway, Jonathan Fa’afetai Lemalu, the Houston Winds, the Gould Piano Trio, Augustin Dumay, Raphael Wallfisch, Richard Sherman, and many other world-renowned musicians.
Cathal greatly appreciates the kind financial support throughout his career from the Arts Council of N. Ireland, BBC, Culture Ireland, Diageo Ireland, Fulbright Ireland, and the Bank of Ireland.
He is currently on the piano faculty of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the piano program.