Henry Kramer
Henry Kramer, pianist, has been praised by The Cleveland Classical Review for his “astonishingly confident technique” and by The New York Times for “thrilling and triumphant” performances. Known for his sensitivity, stylish programming, and insightful interpretations, he gained international recognition with Second Prize at the 2016 Queen Elisabeth Competition and received a 2019 Avery Fisher Career Grant.
A native of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Kramer began piano at age 11, quickly advancing from self-taught beginnings to studying Chopin and Mozart. He went on to win major competitions including the National Chopin (2010), Montreal International (2011), and Shanghai International (2012), later earning top honors at the Honens Competition and joining Astral Artists.
Kramer has performed widely as a soloist and recitalist, with notable debuts at Alice Tully Hall and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. He has appeared with orchestras such as the Belgian National, Shanghai Philharmonic, and Indianapolis Symphony, collaborating with leading conductors including Marin Alsop and Stéphane Denève. His active recital schedule includes major venues and festivals across North America and beyond, with highlights in the 2025–26 season including performances with the Baton Rouge Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and appearances in New York, Montreal, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
An accomplished chamber musician, Kramer has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and collaborated with artists including Emmanuel Pahud and the Calidore Quartet. His recordings have received critical acclaim from BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone.
Kramer is also a dedicated educator, joining the Université de Montréal faculty in 2022 after previous positions at Columbus State University, Smith College, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He holds degrees from Juilliard and Yale, where he studied with Julian Martin, Robert McDonald, and Boris Berman. A Steinway Artist, his pedagogical lineage traces back to Beethoven, Chopin, and Busoni.