Biographical Info

The Washington Post has written of Neil Rutman that his playing “met the highest standards and his spotless articulation gave the whole program unusual polish and virtuoso marks” and the New York Times stated that “he won the audience over for himself with exquisite performances- both commanding and full of character.”

As a young man pianist Neil Rutman studied with Aiko Onishi and distinguished himself as a top prize winner in several International Competitions including the Busoni, Kapell, Casadesus, Joanna Hodges, Concert Artist Guild, and International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition.  He has appeared in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan and the Schola Cantorum in Paris with concert tours of the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Japan, China, and the Persian Gulf.  Mr. Rutman’s recordings include two Mozart Piano Concerti, an all Poulenc CD, with Emmy Award winning actor Tony Randall providing the narration for ‘The Story of Babar the Little Elephant’, and his recent all Chopin release on the Pro Musica label.  Mr. Rutman has authored articles for the Piano Quarterly, The Piano Teacher, Clavier, and is a contributing author to the book ‘Piano Masterpieces’ published by Oxford University Press.  His best-selling book ‘Stories, Images, and Magic from the Piano Literature’ was published in late 2016 and was listed as #3 Hot New Release on Amazon.

A native of California and graduate of the Eastman School and Peabody Conservatory, Neil Rutman is Artist-in-Residence at the University of Central Arkansas.  Since 2010 his students have won top prizes in the East West Artist Auditions in New York City, the Clara Wells Competition, the National Beethoven Club.

A former collegiate boxer, Neil Rutman also coaches the University of Central Arkansas Boxing Team and runs a court appointed boxing/mentoring program for at risk youth in the Juvenile Court of Faulkner County.  Recently Mr. Rutman was awarded the Barack Obama Drum Major Award for his work with troubled teens in Arkansas.  For more information about Mr. Rutman view his DVD’s on You Tube or visit http://www.neilrutman.net.