Alice Rybak, 2013 Core Faculty
Alice Rybak, Chair of the Keyboard Department at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, has made a distinguished career as both a solo and collaborative artist, and as a teacher. Ms. Rybak has concertized throughout the country, including appearances with the Colorado Symphony, Amarillo Symphony and National Repertory Orchestras as well as The Denver Brass, and has been featured in recitals at New York's Town Hall and the 92nd Street Y. As the winner of the United States Information Agency's "Artistic Ambassador" competition she presented five weeks of concerts and master classes throughout India, Thailand and Malaysia, and has also appeared at the Taipei Arts Festival. She has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians including violinists Rachel Barton, Linda Wang and Dylana Jenson, and Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Judith Christin.
Alice Rybak performs frequently with pianist Susan Grace as the acclaimed piano duo Quattro Mani. The Duo, formed in 1989, has gained international recognition with performances in Europe, Asia and throughout the United States. Their special interest in twentieth century repertoire has led to collaborations with such composers as George Crumb, Joan Tower, Tania Leon, Bernard Rands, Poul Ruders and Frederic Rzewski and to participation in contemporary music festivals throughout the USA, Latin America and Europe.
Quattro Mani has appeared at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall four times and has been listed in Symphony Magazine's 2004 Guide to Emerging Artists. Following the release of Quattro Mani's debut CD, A Game of Go, Fanfare wrote: "Grace and Rybak play all of this music with power and intelligence, shaping large expressive phrases. Quattro Mani's blistering performance forms the beating heart of an arresting recital." They have numerous CDs on the Bridge Records label and have also recorded for Klavier Music Productions and the Innova label. In 2008, Quattro Mani premiered a new double concerto, written for them and the Alabama Symphony, by Princeton composer Paul Lansky. This work will be recorded next season. Quattro Mani is on the international roster of Steinway Artists.
Ms. Rybak has also been a member of the Denver Trio and the Colorado Chamber Players, and has performed as both a soloist and orchestra pianist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. In the summer she teaches at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music Piano Academy and performs at the Colorado College New Music Symposium. Ms. Rybak has also recorded for Crystal Records.
