Hedi Salanki is a pianist and harpsichordist, and Director of the Piano and Chamber Music programs at the University of West Florida.
„A true artist – a consummate musician…“, „She plumbed the expressive depths with a force that was almost shocking…“, „Salanki’s playing was distinguished by naturalness, grace, and a feeling of flow…“ are only a few of the accolades that Hedi Salanki has garnered in the course of becoming one of today’s foremost performers of a wide repertoire of solo and chamber music for piano and harpsichord. Her recent engagements include the Prestissimo International Music Festival in Pennsylvania, judging and lecturing at the Fifth Maria Clara Cullell International Piano Competition in Costa Rica, judging a Piano Competition in Kunming, China, judging at the US Open Music Competition, and performing at the San Jose International Baroque Festival in Costa Rica.
In addition to serving as the University of West Florida’s Director of Piano and Chamber Music, Dr. Salanki also teaches a wide range of courses as a Full Professor of Music at the same institution: piano performance, harpsichord performance, keyboard interpretation, ear training (Kodaly-method solfege), musical structure and style, and chamber music. She is also active as a guest instructor and clinician.
A native of Hungary, Ms. Salanki has appeared with the New Jersey Symphony, the New York Chamber Orchestra, the Syracuse Symphony, the Pensacola Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony, I Solisti New York, and numerous other chamber ensembles. She has performed solo recitals in Europe, the United States, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Costa Rica. Among her recordings on the Pantheon, Priceless, Laserlight, and Prince Productions labels are many significant works of Bach, including the Goldberg Variations (nominated for Ovation Magazine’s Debut Artist of the Year Award), the Concerti, and the complete English Suites. She has also recorded Scarlatti Sonatas, Telemann Overtures, and a French Baroque program.
Ms. Salanki earned a Doctorate in Harpsichord Performance from The Juilliard School, as well as degrees and diplomas in piano performance from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music and the Bartok Conservatory in Budapest, and Rutgers University. From 1994 to 1998 Ms. Salanki served as the founding Artistic Director of the Four Seasons Baroque Ensemble, garnering critical acclaim for artistic excellence and innovative programming.