Pianist Candace Bawcombe has performed as a soloist, recitalist, chamber, and orchestral musician in the DFW area since her return to Texas in 1991. The New York Times has hailed her as “…deeply talented; a beautiful pianist.” She has enjoyed collaborations with many artists including violinists Pinchas Zukerman, Erick Friedman, Peter Winograd, Eugene Drucker, and concertmasters of many orchestras. Metropolitan Opera star Renée Fleming and Ms. Bawcombe performed the world premiere of Three Persian Songs by Bezhad Ranjbaran in Alice Tully Hall. She has performed and taught in festivals in the United States, Southeast Asia, and the United Kingdom. Ms. Bawcombe was an integral part of Dallas Chamber Music Society for 10 years beginning as the first executive director and later as artistic director. She hosted “Spotlight on Chamber Music” on WRR Classical 101.1FM for several years.

Ms. Bawcombe holds a master’s degree in music from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Abbey Simon and Herbert Stessin. She was 11 years old when she was accepted into the piano studio of concert pianist Lili Kraus. Ms. Kraus, who studied with Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, and Artur Schnabel, mentored her for 14 years. Ms. Bawcombe is currently a featured artist for the Cliburn in the Classroom education program for elementary school students in North Texas. She is founder and managing director of the Children’s Community Chorus of Johnson County and teaches piano in Colleyville and North Arlington. Ms. Bawcombe is married to Dallas Symphony Orchestra violinist Andrew Schast.