Emma Taggart

Nationally acclaimed pianist and arranger Emma Taggart commands the stage with a personality that is at once engaging and unique.  She has stunned audiences across the world, both as a solo artist and as a member of the piano duo Taggart Squared, alongside her brother Jacob.  Together, they have given hundreds of solo and duo concerts, placed in national and international competitions, and been featured multiple times on prestigious programs such as NPR’s From The Top, MPR’s Minnesota Varsity, and WQXR’s Young Artist Showcase.

As a solo artist, Emma has received acclaim as the top prizewinner in the Maria Herero International Piano Competition, the United States International Duo Piano Competition, the Mannes School of Music Concerto Competition, the regional Schubert Club Student Scholarship Competition, the Great Composers International Competition, and the LaCrosse Symphony, Dakota Valley Symphony, and Golden Valley Orchestra Concerto Competitions. She was a semi finalist in the Palm Springs International and the 2024 North American PianoArts Competitions, as well as a finalist in the New York International Piano Competition.  She was a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Scholarship, which was accompanied by a $10,000 award.

An avid performer, Emma appeared 11 times with the Minnesota Orchestra during their 2018-2019 season, performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto as well as Saint Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, alongside her brother Jacob. She has performed in Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Russia’s Marble Palace, and has played in recitals at the Aspen Music Festival and Bowdoin Chamber Music Festival. She has also attended and performed in festivals in Italy, Spain, and Azerbaijan. European orchestral performances include engagements with members of the Milan Chamber Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Emma has worked with and performed for Hung Kuan Chen, Matti Raekallio, Julian Martin, Alessio Bax, John O’Conor, Richard Goode, Shai Woser, and many other esteemed musicians. Outside of the classical world, Emma has been invited to perform at Minneapolis’ Orchestra Hall as part of a benefit concert given by Sheila E, Prince’s former drummer and fiancée. One year later she again played with Sheila E at a Prince tribute concert given at Paisley Park. She has also opened a show for the iconic rock band, The Goo Goo Dolls. She is an avid arranger and is proud to have two of her arrangements performed on national radio.  

Emma is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music on a full tuition scholarship. She is in the studio of Michelle Cann. She received her bachelor’s degree from the Mannes School of Music with Simone Dinnerstein.

Jacob Taggart

Jacob Taggart, at only seventeen years old, has already established a career as a successful classical pianist.   Marked by an engaging and energetic personality, his daring interpretations have captivated audiences and juries across the United States and Europe. 

His prowess has already been recognized with top prizes and awards in multiple major competitions.  As a solo artist, he has received first place in the Great Composers International Competition, the Young Artist Scholarship Competition, and the Golden Valley Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition.  He also remains one of the youngest winners ever to capture the grand prize of the preteen division of the MN State Fair Amateur Talent Competition.  Most recently, Jacob was awarded first place in both the Dakota Valley Symphony and LaCrosse Symphony Concerto Competitions. He soloed with both orchestras in concert. Most recently, he was awarded 

Jacob also performs as the primo member of his sibling piano duo Taggart Squared, alongside his sister Emma.  Together, they have performed hundreds of concerts and appeared on some of the nation’s most prestigious stages.  They have been featured twice on National Public Radio’s From The Top, debuting two of Emma’s original arrangements.  They appeared in 6 feature concerts alongside the Minnesota Orchestra, playing Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals.  And most recently, they received 1st place in the West Central Division of the MTNA piano duo competition, as well as an invitation to compete at the national finals during the MTNA National Conference in Spokane, WA. 

At only age 7, Jacob attended his first festival, the Accademia Tadini International Music Festival, in Lovere, Italy, where he played a solo recital, and made his orchestral debut, playing the Bach Concerto No. 5 with the Milan Chamber Orchestra.  In 2017, he attended the Grand Piano in Palace International Piano Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he was awarded the Grand Prix and performed Mozart’s Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K. 271, with the Chamber Orchestra of St. Petersburg. 

Jacob was a prize winner in both the 2020 and 2021 Minnesota Orchestra Young People’s Concerto Competition.  He also received Honorable Mention and Semifinalist Prizewinner at the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Most recently, he was awarded the Honorable Mention in the Schubert Club’s Bruce P. Carlson Student Scholarship Competition. Jacob has performed in masterclasses with Anderson and Roe, the Unison Piano Duo, and Vincenzo Balzani.  Outside of the classical world, he has been featured on stage at Paisley Park and Orchestra Hall with Sheila E., Grammy-nominated singer, and Prince’s former drummer and fiancée.  He has also opened for the iconic rock band, The Goo Goo Dolls.

Jacob began lessons with Dr. Reid Smith of Dellwood at age four and continued with Reid until his recent passing in the summer of 2021. He then continued studies with Dr Paul Wirth at the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts. He is currently pursuing a degree in accounting at Washington and Lee University and is no longer an active performer.