Fox Cities News

Anthony Padilla, a faculty member at the Lawrence Conservatory of Music since 1997, is a distinguished piano teacher and performer. He received Lawrence University’s Award for Excellent Teaching in 2017, recognized for encouraging students to enhance their technique and develop their individual style and artistic voice. Recently, Padilla has collaborated across academic disciplines, notably studying the cultures of Latin America and the Asian Pacific Islands.

An American pianist of Filipino-Chinese ancestry, Padilla has performed as a guest artist across North America, Europe, and Asia. His piano artistry has been praised for its “enormous freshness, vitality, and poetry” (Chicago Tribune). A protégé of the legendary pianist Jorge Bolet, Padilla was awarded the prestigious Beethoven Fellowship by the American Pianists Association and top prize at the Concert Artists Guild International Competition. He is also a founding member of the Arcos Piano Trio.

Padilla earned his Bachelor of Music in piano performance at the Curtis Institute of Music and Northern Illinois University. He holds a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance and literature from Eastman School of Music.

In an interview discussing his interests both inside and outside the classroom, Padilla shared insights into his teaching philosophy: “Despite what they may have heard, I’m actually the meanest, scariest piano teacher who will make them practice their scales eight hours a day! Seriously, I am committed not only to helping students hone their technical skills at the keyboard but to direct these skills toward developing their own individual voice and musical personality.”

Padilla is enthusiastic about celebrating historically under-represented composers: “I enthusiastically encourage [students’] celebration of historically under-represented and marginalized composers... in efforts to include more of these voices in concert halls.”

Reflecting on his work at Lawrence that excites him most, Padilla mentioned collaborations with other departments: “Over the last dozen years or so, I have enjoyed collaborating with members of the Spanish and Latin American Studies departments on grant projects exploring music... from South/Central America and the Caribbean.” He also noted recent projects involving Filipino music students: “My students and I have been invigorated by delving into music from our shared API heritage.”

Padilla recounted an unexpected moment during his first overseas trip: “In one of the first churches I entered [in Rome], I inadvertently found myself face to face with Caravaggio’s dramatic painting... It brought me to my knees.”

When asked what he would do if not teaching for a living, Padilla responded: “[Teaching] is more of a passion for me rather than merely a means to making a paycheck... Taking a break from musical activities, I’d love to camp and hike the Alaskan wilderness with my family.”

Regarding his favorite spot on campus for work or relaxation, he said: “Stepping onto the Chapel stage... I feel the haunting presence of ghosts from past performances.”

Padilla recommended Constantin Stanislavski’s "An Actor Prepares" as a book that speaks to his soul. For recordings, he chose Johann Sebastian Bach’s "St. Matthew Passion" performed by Willem Mengelberg in 1939. As for films, he cited Charlie Chaplin’s "The Great Dictator" for its crucial message against rising authoritarianism.