Biography
Brian Hickman is a pianist who is noted for his rich tonal palette, impassioned lyricism, and poetic sensibilities — revealing a strong influence of the French school of pianism in his playing. His technical command of the piano allows musicality to shine in the most demanding of musical passages. In his artistry as a solo and collaborative pianist, Mr. Hickman seeks to explore the meaning of being human in an increasingly digital world. This has led him to pursue his interests in music of the 19th century to the present, with particular interests in the music of the United States and France.
As an educator, Mr. Hickman is guided by his philosophy which emphasizes the development of a student’s critical thinking skills as well as their technical and interpretive proficiencies. He seeks to connect his students’ understanding of music to the broader world of history, philosophy, art, and literature, which leads to a deeper connection with the music they are learning. By helping his students to bridge the divide between head and heart, Brian works to develop students who are knowledgeable, skillful, and emotionally aware.
Mr. Hickman holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Jackson State University and a Master of Music Degree from Mississippi College, graduating summa cum laude from both institutions. In addition, he also studied musicology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has been a music educator for many years, teaching piano, voice, and music history in a wide variety of settings across the US — from universities to K-12 public schools and community music schools.
Get to know Brian in his Faculty Highlight.