Dr. Luciana Soares
Education:
B.M. Federal University of Goiás
M.M. Arizona State University
D.M.A. University of Southern Mississippi
Courses:
MUS 376 — Piano Literature
MUS 476 — Piano Pedagogy
PERFORMANCE COURSES:
MUS 161, 162, 171, 172, 261, 262, 271, 272, 371, 372, 400, 471, 472
Bio:
Steinway Artist Luciana Soares has performed extensively as soloist and collaborative pianist in the United States and abroad. She enjoys teaching and performing a variety of repertoires ranging from Baroque to contemporary, and is strongly devoted to promoting the music of her native Brazil. Her accomplishments as a researcher and performer have taken her to presenting lectures and recitals of Brazilian music at universities, concert series and conferences throughout the United States. Her solo debut recording, Brasileira: Piano Music by Brazilian Women has been released on Centaur Records and is available worldwide. She has given numerous world premieres, commissioned new music and performed works dedicated to her.
As a member of the Alexander-Soares Duo, in residence at Nicholls, Luciana Soares has performed and given masterclasses in Brazil, United States, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, and England, being featured in such venues as the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C., the Teatro José de Alencar in Fortaleza, and the Sala Cecília Meireles in Rio de Janeiro. The duo’s recording featuring the violin and piano sonatas by Liduino Pitombeira is also available on the Centaur label.
Accomplishments:
At Nicholls State University, Dr. Soares serves as Department Head and the Gloria B. Callais Endowed Professor of Music teaching applied piano and related courses, and accompanying music majors. She spearheaded the annual Monster Piano Concert series and the All-Steinway School initiative that led Nicholls to become the only All-Steinway public university in Louisiana. Dr. Soares is recipient of the 2009 Marie Fletcher Distinguished Service Award of the Nicholls Alumni Federation, the Nicholls State University’s Academic Council Salutes award, and the Friends of Music distinguished membership of the Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity. She received the Steinway and Sons Top Teacher Award in 2017 and again in 2024 honoring outstanding instruction and leadership in piano education. She maintains a busy schedule in south Louisiana as private instructor, guest clinician and adjudicator, and is an active member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Music Teachers National Association.
