PARK RAPIDS — Four talented classical pianists—Emma, 19, Jacob, 15, Cecilia, 9, and Sophie, 5, will appear in concert on Sunday, Aug. 7, at 3 p.m. at Hubbard United Methodist Church in Park Rapids.
The Taggart summer concerts at HUMC, open to the public at no charge, began more than a decade ago, when Emma was six. Several years later she was joined by Jacob, then Cecilia, and now Sophie, according to a news release from Hubbard United Methodist Church.
The children are the grandchildren of Ron and Margi Taggart of Park Rapids.
Emma and Jacob have given hundreds of solo and duo concerts, placed in national and international competitions, and been featured multiple times on prestigious programs such as NPR’s From The Top and MPR’s Minnesota Varsity. They have attended festivals and performed with orchestras across the world, including in Italy, Spain, Azerbaijan and France. Together they have performed as the piano duo, Taggart Squared.
Emma Taggart
Emma, pioneering an avant-garde style of performing via a combination of music and dialogue, has stunned audiences across the world. She has been awarded top prize in numerous competitions, including the United States International Duo Piano Competition, the Schubert Club Student Scholarship Competition, the LaCrosse Symphony Concerto competition, and the YPSCA Minnesota Orchestra Concerto Competition, which included an engagement to play 11 concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra. Most recently, Emma was a prize winner in the Waring International Piano Competition as well as the New York International Piano Competition.
Emma currently studies with concert pianist Simone Dinnerstein at the Mannes School of Music in New York City.
Jacob Taggart
Jacob, with his energetic personality and daring interpretations, has captivated audiences and juries across the United States and Europe. His prowess has already been recognized with top prizes and awards in multiple major competitions.
As a solo artist, he has received first place in the Great Composers International Competition, the Young Artist Scholarship Competition, and the Golden Valley Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition. He also remains one of the youngest winners ever to capture the grand prize of the preteen division of the Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Competition. Most recently, Jacob was awarded first place in the Schubert Club Competition, the Dakota Valley Symphony Concerto Competition, and the LaCrosse Symphony Concerto Competition.
Jacob studies with Dr. Paul Wirth of the Wirth Center For the Performing Arts.
Cecilia and Sophie Taggart
Cecilia and Sophie, who have been playing the piano since they were each three years old, have wowed audiences all over Minnesota. Cecilia even entertained a crowd of over 500 at the 2021Minnesota State Fair.
They are excited to be joining their older siblings in a wonderful annual tradition at HUMC. When not practicing, Cecilia and Sophie enjoy gymnastics, biking, and reading. Both also study with Dr Wirth.
For more information about the Taggarts, please visit www.taggartpiano.com
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