Grace celebrates the classical pianistic tradition through a diverse and exciting program that explores the music of Austro-German, Spanish, Russian, French, Polish, and American traditions from varying time periods.

Piano Portraits brings to life a rich musical landscape highlighting the traditions, culture, and artistic imagination of composers from Europe and America. Each piece is a unique portrait that displays the capabilities of the piano as an instrument, combining together to create an artistic concert experience that mixes the rhythmic and vibrant with the poetic and fantastical.

In an effort to engage and strengthen the connection between audiences and classical music, Grace Nikae is taking this project to the United States, beginning in 2010.

Program includes works by: Mozart, Granados, Chopin, Ginastera, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, and Gershwin. Please contact Carla Croy for more information.

Over the course of four concerts, Grace examines the works of 20th century composers which pushed the boundaries of the piano as an instrument. The four concerts, arranged geographically, will cover America, Eastern and Central Europe, and Asia, with music from Cage, Crumb, and Carter, to Stockhausen, Boulez, and Xenakis, among many others. Performances have taken place or are planned to occur in Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, and New York.

List of composers for each program:
Program I: America
Charles Ives
John Cage
George Crumb
Eliot Carter

Program II: Eastern Europe
Gyorgy Ligeti
Gyorgy Kurtag
Iannis Xenakis

Program III: Central Europe
Arnold Schoenberg
Anton Webern
Karl-Heinz Stockhausen
Pierre Boulez

Program IV: Asia
Toru Takemitsu
Isang Yun
Toshio Hosokawa

In 2007, the 180th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, Grace explored his complete sonatas for cello and piano in Zaragoza, Spain with Adolfo Gutierrez Arenas. She is also recording the complete Brahms sonatas for violin and piano with Ara Malikian.

Intensely dedicated to providing new opportunities to young musicians, and bringing classical music to audiences who might not have the opportunity for involvement or exposure to the arts, Grace’s numerous outreach activities include:




With an unwavering belief that artists and their art can help to transform society, and that the interaction and exchange of cultural and humanitarian ideas can improve the quality of our life and world, Grace has remained strongly committed to issues regarding education, the environment, anti-violence, peace, and the welfare of children and people worldwide. She has performed benefit concerts to raise awareness for handicapped children, for children in need, for educational programs, for animal and environmental protection programs, and for the peace process.

Grace has established a collaboration with UNICEF Spain, and frequently works with them to highlight important issues that protect the welfare of children. A portion of all proceeds from her recording, Chopin | Schumann: Sonatas, directly goes towards supporting UNICEF’s extensive programs worldwide.