Delana Thomsen, Accompanist
Delana Thomsen is a highly accomplished solo and collaborative pianist who has given recitals throughout Europe and the US, as well as Master Classes in Iceland, Bulgaria, and the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Arcidosso and Acqui Terme, Italy. She has been on the piano faculty of Clazz since Summer 2019. In NYC she has appeared numerous venues including Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Weill Recital Hall. Ms. Thomsen has been affiliated with Aspen Music Festival, Juilliard and Mannes College of Music. Delana performs regularly with the Thomsen-Belli piano duo and SAGA ensemble, and is currently the pianist and assistant conductor of the Dalton Chorale.
She is a sought-after teacher and inspiring mentor, and her pupils have had great recognition. Several have had the honor of being chosen to perform in Master Classes with distinguished artists. As well, Ms. Thomsen’s pupils have been the winners of numerous concerto competitions including Yonkers Philharmonic, Long Island Youth Orchestra and LaGuardia High School as well as many local competitions. She is on the piano faculties of Manhattan School of Music Precollege, Hoff-Barthelson Music School, the Clazz International Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy, and has a private teaching studios in NYC and Columbia County, NY. Recently her pupils have performed in the Leschetizky Youth Concerts, AMTL events and have been soloist with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta, and chosen for the Christopher O’Reilly Master Class in St. Lake City Utah.
In 2018 Ms. Thomsen traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland to perform an all Mozart program with violinist Gudny Gudmunsdottir for Mozartmarathon Tónleiker,. “Morgunbildith” in Iceland wrote "artistic...a first-rate musician (who) projects unusually loveable playing"; The "Borba" in Bulgaria wrote "Ms. Thomsen plays with an authentic and sensitive style that gives the listener a sound picture of the boundless nuances of human life"; and “The Music Connoisseur” wrote “...the appealing duo displayed a high level of virtuosity throughout”. Delana’s esteemed teachers have included Ruth Slenczynska and Arthur Balsam.