Classically trained concert pianist Emma Taggart commands the stage with a personality that is at once engaging and unique.  Since her first solo recital at age 6, she has stunned audiences across the world, both as a solo artist and as a member of the piano duo Taggart Squared, alongside her brother Jacob.  She has given hundreds of solo and duo concerts, received awards in national and international competitions, and been featured multiple times on prestigious programs such as NPR’s From The Top, MPR’s Minnesota Varsity and WQXR’s Young Artist Showcase.

Emma has performed with numerous orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of St. Petersburg, and the Milan Chamber Orchestra.  She has attended festivals and performed solo recitals in the US, Italy, Spain, and Russia. She has received first prize in the María Herrero Int’l Competition, the YPSCA MN Orchestra Concerto Competition, the Schubert Club Student Scholarship Competition, and the Dakota Valley Symphony Concerto Competition, amongst others. This past March she was awarded first place in the Mannes School of Music Concerto Competition and performed the Florence Price Piano Concerto with the Mannes Orchestra. 

Outside of the classical world, Emma has shared the stage with rock legends such as Sheila E (Prince’s former drummer and fiancé), as well the band The Goo Goo Dolls, opening a private show for them in the summer of 2019. As proud Minnesota natives, Emma and her brother were invited to perform by Sheila E in a special tribute concert honoring Prince at Paisley Park on the one year anniversary of his death. 

Emma is in the last year of her undergraduate studies at the Mannes School of Music with renowned concert pianist Simone Dinnerstein. Before studying with Dinnerstein, she was a student of the late Dr. Reid Smith for 14 years. 

Emma is proud to be a founding member and current producer of the Open Note Concert Series, an organization devoted to providing performance opportunities to aspiring young musicians and composers in the greater New York area.

For Emma’s full bio, click here.

Jacob Taggart, at only seventeen years old, has already established a career as a successful classical pianist.  Marked by an engaging and energetic personality, his daring interpretations have captivated audiences and juries across the US and Europe. He 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. This season 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 also performs as the primo member of Taggart Squared. They have been featured on NPR’s From The Top, as well as with the MN Orchestra, playing Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals.  They received 1st place in the West Central Division of the MTNA piano duo competition, and were recently invited to compete at the MTNA national finals in Spokane, WA. 

Jacob began lessons with Dr. Reid Smith of Dellwood at age four and continued with Reid until his recent passing in the summer of 2021. He now studies with Dr Paul Wirth at the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts. Jacob is taking courses at Bethel College as part of their PSEO program with a concentration in business and finance. He is proud to be a board member and the director of finance for AAPI Youth Voices. 

For Jacob’s full bio, click here.

Cecilia Taggart, 10 years old, has been playing the piano since she was three years of age, starting lessons with Dr. Reid Smith and for the past 2 years, studying with Dr Paul Wirth of the Wirth Center for Performing Arts.  She has shown remarkable prowess and maturity of technique and expression. She has wowed audiences all over Minnesota, giving many concerts with her 3 siblings.

When not practicing, Cecilia enjoys competing in gymnastics and Junior Olympic Track and Field.

Sophie Taggart, 7 years old, has been playing the piano since the age of 3, starting lessons with Dr. Reid Smith and for the past 2 years, studying with Dr Paul Wirth of the Wirth Center for Performing Arts.  She has wowed audiences all over Minnesota, and most recently this month, 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.