Based in Iceland
Mike
Piolanti
Pianist and Pedagogue
Rooted in the Romantic tradition, open to the world. Performing and teaching from Iceland, with an international perspective shaped by years of study and concert work across Europe and the United States.
01 — About
A Pianist
Shaped by Two Worlds
Mike Piolanti is a concert pianist and pedagogue currently based in Iceland. His work bridges the concert stage and the teaching studio, drawing on a musical formation that spans continents and traditions.
His repertoire centres on the great works of the Romantic era — the concertos and solo literature of Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, and their contemporaries — approached with both technical rigour and expressive depth. This commitment to the Romantic tradition is not nostalgic but living: a language he continues to explore and refine in every performance.
Mike studied at Arizona State University in Phoenix (USA), where he was awarded a Special Talent Award in recognition of his artistic promise. There, he had the privilege of studying under Caio Pagano, the distinguished Brazilian-American pianist and professor whose influence shaped his musical thinking profoundly.
He has performed in concerts across Europe and the United States. In Portugal, several of his performances were broadcast live on national radio, including on RTP-Antena 2 — a recognition of his standing within the Portuguese classical music scene.
Now in Iceland, Mike continues to perform and teach, bringing together an international perspective and a deep respect for the music he serves.
ASU
Arizona State University
RTP
Antena 2 — National Radio
EU + US
International Performances
Iceland
Based since 2025
Mike Piolanti — Concert Pianist
02 — Repertoire
Selected
Piano Concertos
A curated selection of the major concerto works Mike Piolanti holds in active repertoire, available for orchestral collaboration and concert programming.
- Sergei RachmaninoffPiano Concerto No. 2 in C minorOp. 18
- Frédéric ChopinPiano Concerto No. 1 in E minorOp. 11
- Franz LisztPiano Concerto No. 2 in A majorS.125
- Robert SchumannPiano Concerto in A minorOp. 54
- Johannes BrahmsPiano Concerto No. 1 in D minorOp. 15
- Johannes BrahmsPiano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat majorOp. 83
- Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyPiano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minorOp. 23
- Sergei ProkofievPiano Concerto No. 3 in C majorOp. 26
- Ludwig van BeethovenPiano Concerto No. 1 in C majorOp. 15
- Ludwig van BeethovenPiano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat majorOp. 19
- Ludwig van BeethovenPiano Concerto No. 3 in C minorOp. 37
- Ludwig van BeethovenPiano Concerto No. 4 in G majorOp. 58
- Ludwig van BeethovenPiano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major "Emperor"Op. 73
- Edvard GriegPiano Concerto in A minorOp. 16
04 — Teaching
Piano Lessons
in Iceland
Mike teaches piano to a diverse range of students — children and adults, beginners and advanced players. His approach is thoughtful, patient, and always centred on the individual. The goal is not just to play the piano, but to understand music and find genuine joy in it.
"Every student brings something unique to the piano. My role is to help them discover what that is — and give them the tools to express it."
Technique as Foundation
Solid technical grounding is the basis of musical freedom. Mike works carefully on posture, touch, and physical ease — ensuring that the body serves the music, never the other way around.
Musicality and Expression
Beyond the notes, every piece has a story, a character, an emotional world. Students are encouraged to listen deeply, to phrase with intention, and to bring their own voice to the music.
Individualized Approach
No two students are the same. Mike adapts his teaching to each person's background, goals, and learning style — whether a young beginner, an adult returning to the piano, or an advanced student preparing for performance.
05 — Online Presence
Music Beyond
the Concert Hall
Classical music belongs to everyone. Through his digital presence, Mike shares the depth and beauty of the repertoire with audiences who may never have encountered it before — breaking down barriers without compromising artistic integrity.
On TikTok, his short-form content has reached hundreds of thousands of viewers, introducing the great piano works to new audiences and sparking genuine curiosity about classical music. This is not a marketing exercise — it is an extension of his artistic mission.
TikTok
@mike.pianist.is
200K+
Total Views
12K+
Total Likes
These numbers reflect genuine audience engagement with classical piano content — a growing community of listeners discovering the Romantic repertoire for the first time.
06 — Contact
Get in Touch
Whether you are a concert presenter, festival organiser, orchestra manager, or prospective student, Mike welcomes your enquiry. Please reach out directly — all messages are read personally.
Website
www.mikepiolanti.comPhone
+354 835 5234Location
East Iceland
TikTok
@mike.pianist.is