2009 DeBose Fine Arts Series & National Piano Competition

a Ghanaian American, graduated from Achimota School, Ghana, where he earned the Performer’s Diploma and the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (UK).  He later received his degrees from St. Peter’s College, Oxford University (UK), the Eastman School of Music and the University of Texas at Austin.  He also studied at the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève, Switzerland. 

Chapman Nyaho is the recipient of several prizes from international piano competitions. Following four years as a North Carolina Visiting Artist, Chapman Nyaho taught at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was the recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award and held the Heymann Endowed Professorship.  He was also the recipient of the Acadiana Arts Council Distinguished Artist Award. Chapman Nyaho has also served as Visiting Professor of Music at Colby College and Willamette University.  His summer teaching appointments include Interlochen Summer Arts Camp and Adamant Music School.  

As a regular guest clinician, Chapman Nyaho gives lecture-recitals and workshops advocating   music by composers of African heritage.  He has compiled and edited a five-volume graded anthology Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora published by Oxford University Press.  He has served on national committees for the Music Teachers’ National Association, College Music Society and the National Endowment for the Arts and has been an adjudicator for International competitions in North America, Europe and Africa.  

Chapman Nyaho’s solo performances have taken him to Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and North America including Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center.  He has appeared as soloist with various orchestras in the US.  His solo recordings on the MSR CLASSICS label include SENKU: Piano Music by Composers of African Descent, and ASA: Piano Music by Composers of African Descent MSR 1242 - a ground-breaking compilation of piano music by composers from South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Haiti, Guadeloupe, Cuba, Jamaica, the United Kingdom and the United States.  He also performs regularly as collaborative artist as well as duo pianist   with the Nyaho/Garcia Duo. The duo has released a critically acclaimed CD entitled “Aaron Copland: Music For Two Pianos” on the Centaur Label and regularly promotes music by composers of African and Hispanic heritage. Chapman Nyaho has been featured on radio and television broadcasts in Africa Europe and North America.  He has also hosted his own show The Bach Show, developed for classical radio station KRVS in Louisiana.