3MBS's live performance series for emerging classical musicians, The Talent, returns on Tuesday night with pianist Kevin Tamanini joining the panel as Season Mentor.
Kevin Tamanini first started playing the piano at the age of nine and by thirteen knew it would be a lifelong passion and commitment.
While still in school, he attended the Conservatoires in Evreux, Rouen, and finally Metz. In 1998 (under Eric Vidonne's class), he was awarded the Médaille d'Or (first prize) for piano and accompaniment (under David Selig's class). He simultaneously studied Music History, Analysis, Harmony, Music Theory, Counterpoint, and Basso Continuo.
Kevin studied with Prof. Konstanze Eickhorst at the Musikhochschule Lübeck (Germany) before joining the Hochschule für Musik Saar in Saarbrücken (Germany) under Thomas Duis and Fedele Antonicelli. He passed his Konzertreifeprüfung (Master's) in 2009. Kevin partcipated in masterclasses led by Thomas Brandis, Noel Lee, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Pascal Le Corre, and Anne Queffelec.
Kevin speaks several languages fluently, including French, German, English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Luxembourgish. He also has a solid knowledge of Italian, Greek, and Russian. This, combined with his interest in literature, enables him to approach the relationship between words and music with sensitivity and enthusiasm, particularly in his work with singers. As a result, Kevin has been invited to participate in various festivals, including the Francis Poulenc International Academy for French Melodies, the Opera House of Metz (France), the National Opera of Tours (France), and the Luxembourg Philharmony. He has performed with artists such as Cécile Bonnet, Valérie Condoluci, Marianne Dellacasagrande, Rolando Villazón, and Yuja Wang.
In May 2011, Kevin was appointed répétiteur for the 'Giacomo Variations' directed by Martin Haselböck, featuring John Malkovich, at the Luxembourg Philharmony. Since 1999, Kevin has been the répétiteur for numerous masterclasses led by renowned singers, including Sigmund Nimsgern, François Le Roux, Udo Reinemann, and Jennifer Larmore. He is also a laureate of the Saarbourg International Competition for Young Pianists (1997).
Since his arrival in Australia in 2022, Kevin has performed for the Melbourne Composers' League and has been appointed répétiteur for various opera companies, including Opera Australia, Melbourne Opera, Lyster Opera, and BK Opera. He has also performed numerous concerts throughout the country.
Holding a State Diploma in piano pedagogy, Kevin worked as a piano teacher, accompanist, répétiteur, and head of department at the Regional Music School of Dudelange, Luxembourg, from 2004 to 2022.