Academy Faculty
Dr. Tina Park
Co-Artistic Director
Born in a musician family Tina Juan Park, previous named as Juan Li started learning piano at the age of fice. At the age of seven, she won the First Young Artist Competition in her home state, Hubei, which took her to a long journey of 13 years of study at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In 1998 she immigrated to the United States on a full scholarship from the University of Notre Dame and continued to pursue her masterʼs degree in piano performance. Read more.
Dr. Horacio Nuguid
Co-Artistic Director
With an extensive repertoire, pianist Horacio Nuguid has captivated audiences with his “beautiful tone” and “elegance.” In addition to several well known piano concertos, Nuguid has performed lesser known works also, such as Edward MacDowell's Concerto in A Minor, Clara Schumann’s Konzertsatz in F Minor, Mario Pilati’s Suite, and Ferdinand Ries’ Grand Variations on Rule Britannia with orchestras in the Philippines, Mexico, and United States. Read more.
Dr. Herbert Johnson
Herbert Johnson is Professor of Piano and Director of Keyboard Activities at Bethel University since September 2008. Prior to this position, Herb taught at King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, New York, Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, and North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Herb received his doctorate in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Read more.
Dr. Anton Melnichenko
Russian-born pianist Anton Melnichenko has been performing on several continents since his first solo recital at the age of twelve. His performances have always garnered him both public and critical acclaim. In addition to top prizes Melnichenko has received various special audience awards in numerous international competitions. Read more.
Dr. Ji Young Lee
Ji Young Lee D.M.A. began piano studies at the age of four. Born in Korea, she graduated from Seoul Arts High School and received the Bachelor’s degree from Ewha Womans University. She went on to study in the U.S., earning her Master’s degree at Eastman School of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Read more.
Miko Kominami
Pianist Miko Kominami is a graduate of the Juilliard School, and she currently enjoys a varied career as a soloist, faculty member at Luther College, and as Principal Keyboardist of Orchestra Iowa. She has concertized extensively throughout North America, including performances in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, Washington D.C., and Toronto, both as a soloist and a collaborator with other artists. Read more.
Dr. Josh Bauder
Dr. Josh Bauder is a Minneapolis-based composer, arranger, typesetter, conductor, and educator. His choral music, published by Fred Bock, has been performed by church, university, and community choirs across the United States and abroad. Read more.
Ekaterina Knyazeva
Ekaterina Knyazeva is a concert solo pianist and chamber musician renowned for her captivating performances that traverse continents and transcend musical boundaries. With a career spanning prestigious concert halls across Europe, Russia, and the United States, Ekaterina has established herself as a formidable force in the world of classical music. Read more.
Professor Alexander Braginsky
Guest Artist
Alexander Braginsky was born and educated in Moscow. He received his first piano lessons from his mother, a well-known concert pianist. At the age of six he began study with Alexander Goldenweiser, a close friend of Leo Tolstoy and a classmate of Rachmaninov and Scriabin.
While still a student at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory Braginsky started touring the Soviet Union as a soloist and a chamber musician. He was also writing articles and reviews for “Soviet Music”, the leading USSR music magazine. Upon graduation, he started teaching piano performance at the Moscow Pedagogy Institute. Read more.