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Barbara Blegen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Missoula, Montana, US |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation | Pianist |
Barbara Blegen is an American pianist of classical music. [1] She is a former child prodigy [2] and the sister of soprano Judith Blegen.
Barbara Blegen was born in Missoula, Montana to a musical family, including her sister, soprano Judith Blegen. [3]
Blegen began piano lessons with University of Montana piano professor George Hummel. Her musical aptitude inspired her sister Judith to start singing in the middle-school choir. A child prodigy, Blegen could pick out tunes on the piano from the age of four. She made her solo debut at age 11, and her orchestral debut with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra at age 13. At age 15, she was selected by Rudolf Serkin to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia on a scholarship. [3]
Blegen began appearing with her sister Judith on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson , becoming a "favorite guest." [3]
After graduation from Curtis, Blegen performed with the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and many others, playing over 90 concerts in a seven-year span.[ citation needed ]
Blegen returned to New York City, where she completed her Master of Fine Arts at Columbia University and subsequently acquired a teaching position there.[ citation needed ]