Cecilia Taggart, 13 years old, has been playing the piano since the age of 3.  She began lessons with Dr. Reid Smith, and after his passing in 2021, she began studying with Dr. Paul Wirth of the Wirth Center for Performing Arts, with whom she is currently studying.   She has shown remarkable prowess and maturity of technique and expression at the piano, even at such a young age.

She has placed in many competitions, including:  1st place in the Golden Valley Concerto Competition in 2026, 1st place in the 2026 Shattuck St. Mary’s Music Scholarship Competition, 1st place in the 2025 Thursday Musical competition, 1st in the 2025 Dakota Valley Concerto and Aria Competition, 2nd place in the 2025 Schubert Club Competition, 2nd place in the Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum Mozart Piano Concerto Competition in 2024 and in 2025, 3rd place in the Saint Paul Piano Teachers’ Concerto Competition in 2025, 3rd place in the Wirth Festival Concerto Competition in 2024, and Honorable Mention in the State round of the Music Teachers National Association Competition in 2024 and 2025.   Cecilia also placed 3rd in the San Francisco International Piano Competition. 

Cecilia made her orchestral debut in April, 2025, performing the 3rd movement of Mendelssohn’s G minor concerto with the Dakota Valley Orchestra.  She has also performed in masterclasses with Orion Weiss, Alvin Chow, Angela Cheng, Kesenia Nosikova, Reed Tetzloff and Andrew Staupe.

Cecilia is also an avid collaborative pianist and plays frequently with her piano trio coached by the Artistic Director of the Fischoff Competition, Tom Rosenberg. 

When not practicing piano, Cecilia enjoys competing in gymnastics and Junior Olympic Track and Field, as well as reading.  Cecilia lives in Blaine and is homeschooled in the 8th grade.