For Emma and Jacob’s full bios, please click here

Emma Taggart has been performing publicly since her first solo recital at age six. She has been featured multiple times on national public radio and news (WQXR NYC, Kare11MN, ClassicalMPR) and is a three-time alum of NPR’s From The Top. 

Emma appeared 11 times with the MN Orchestra during their 2018-2019 season, performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Saint Saens’ Carnival of the Animals. She has received first prizes in the YPSCA Minnesota Orchestra Concerto Competition, the Mannes School of Music Concerto Competition, the Maria Herrero International Piano Competition, the Schubert Club Regional Scholarship Competition, and the United States International Duo Piano Competition, amongst others. She was a laureate in the 2024 North American PianoArts Competition, the 2022 New York International Piano Competition, and the 2022 Palm Springs International Piano Competition. An avid performer, she has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Russa’s Marble Palace, and Minneapolis’ Orchestra Hall. She has worked with Hung Kuan Chen (Aspen Music Festival), Matti Raekallio (Bowdoin Chamber Music Festival), Richard Goode, John O’Conor, and Julian Martin.

Emma is currently pursuing a master’s degree on a full tuition scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music with Michelle Cann. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the Mannes School of Music with Simone Dinnerstein.

Jacob Taggart has received first place in the Great Composers Int’l Competition, the Young Artist Scholarship Competition, the Golden Valley Orchestra Concerto Competition, and the LaCrosse Symphony Concerto Competition, among others. Most recently, he soloed with the LaCrosse and Mankato Symphonies as the winner of their 2023 concerto competitions. 

Jacob has attended festivals and appeared with orchestras in the US, Italy, and Russia. He was a prize winner in both the 2020 and 2021 MN Orchestra YPSCA Concerto Competition.  He has performed in masterclasses with Anderson and Roe, the Unison Piano Duo, and Vincenzo Balzani.  Outside of the classical world, he has been featured on stage at Paisley Park and Orchestra Hall with Sheila E., Grammy-nominated singer, and Prince’s former drummer and fiancée.  He has also opened for the iconic rock band, The Goo Goo Dolls.

Jacob has transitioned from a focus on classical piano to one in business. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting with a double minor in data science and poverty studies at Washington and Lee University. He is a member of the Washington and Lee Investment Society and plans to pursue a career in quantitative finance.

Cecilia Taggart, 12 years old, (pictured on right), has been playing the piano since the age of 3. She began lessons with Dr. Reid Smith, and after his passing in 2021, she began studying with Dr. Paul Wirth of the Wirth Center for Performing Arts, with whom she is currently studying. She has shown remarkable prowess and maturity of technique and expression at the piano, even at such a young age.

She has placed in many competitions, including: 2nd place in the Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum Mozart Piano Concerto Competition in 2024 and 2025, 3rd place in the Wirth Festival Concerto Competition in 2024, Honorable Mention in the Saint Paul Piano Teacher’s Association Concerto Competition in 2023, and Honorable Mention in the State round of the Music Teachers National Association Competition in 2024. Most recently she won first place in the Dakota Valley Symphony Concerto and Aria Competition. She will be making her orchestral debut with the DVS this spring.

When not practicing piano, Cecilia enjoys competing in gymnastics and Junior Olympic Track and Field, as well as reading. Cecilia lives in Blaine, and is homeschooled in the 7th grade.

Sophie Taggart, 8 years old, (pictured left), has been playing the piano since the age of 3, starting lessons with the late Dr. Reid Smith. For the past 2 years, she has studied with Dr Paul Wirth of the Wirth Center for Performing Arts.  She has wowed audiences all over Minnesota, and won 1st place in the Pre-Teen Division of the MN State Fair Amateur Talent Competition.  She has the distinction as being the youngest winner in the 50 year history of this competition.

When not practicing, Sophie enjoys competing in gymnastics, as well as fishing and reading.