Richard C. Alston: Concert Pianist and Lecturer

Richard C. Alston is an elegant and exciting virtuoso pianist who has garnered international acclaim for his passion, technical mastery, and commanding presence at the keyboard. Known for his warmth, charisma, and scholarly depth, Alston captivates audiences with a diverse repertoire that spans the traditional classical canon while championing the music of historically overlooked composers—particularly composers of African descent.

A native of East Orange, New Jersey, Alston received his first piano instruction from Dorothy Early. By the age of eight, he was already performing piano and organ recitals for the First Baptist Church of Vaux Hall, New Jersey. He later continued his musical studies in New York City with Sylvia Rabinof. Alston earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Irwin Freundlich and Josef Raieff. He was subsequently awarded the highly prestigious Maria Guerra Judelson Scholarship for Piano Performance and returned to Juilliard to complete his Master of Music degree.

Since his teenage years, Richard Alston has captivated audiences through solo recitals, guest-artist concerto appearances, live opera performances, nationally broadcast radio and television features, and an extensive catalog of compact disc and digital recordings. At the age of seventeen, he made his orchestral debut at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23.

In recent years, Alston has drawn significant attention from the musical world, educators, and college and university students for his advocacy and scholarship highlighting the contributions of composers of African descent. Through exquisite performances, lecture-recitals, and master classes, he brings visibility to works that remain unjustly underrepresented. This work is central to his celebrated series, Classically Black: Composers of African Descent, which combines performance, historical research, and cultural context to educate and inspire audiences worldwide.

Alston takes great pride in the art of musical research, unearthing masterworks by both renowned and lesser-known composers deserving of greater recognition. His artistry extends beyond exclusive performance of the traditional European canon, embracing a broader classical tradition that reflects his African heritage and deep scholarly commitment.

Recently retired as Tenured Professor of Music and Coordinator of the Performing Arts at Essex County College, Richard Alston continues to perform internationally and record new albums. His distinguished academic career also includes service on the faculty of Rutgers University–Newark, membership on the Board of Music Advisors for Westminster Choir College’s Education Opportunity Program, and a former faculty appointment with The Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program. He is currently on the faculty of IN TUNE Music Academy in Maplewood, New Jersey, and The Modern Music Academy in Caldwell, New Jersey.

In the Metropolitan Opera’s landmark 1991 production of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Alston delivered a critically acclaimed portrayal of Jasbo Brown, bringing exceptional historical authenticity to the role. The choreography featured his opening piano solo, vividly depicting the legendary figure for whom the “jazz” genre is believed to be named. He later reprised this role with the New Jersey State Opera at Symphony Hall in Newark. Additional notable performances include appearances at Weill Recital Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York City.

As a special artist with the New Jersey Symphony, Alston performed in a commemorative concert honoring the birth of William Grant Still. An avid chamber musician, he has appeared in multiple performances with the Harlem Chamber Players and the West Jersey Chamber Music Society.

Richard Alston is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Award for Excellence from the New Jersey Education Association; the Community Leaders Fostering Change in Education Award from the New Jersey Unit of the National Association of Negro Business and Women’s Clubs, Inc.; the Achievement Award from the National Association of Negro Women; Musician of the Year from the National Association of Negro Musicians (Newark Chapter); a Special Proclamation from the Mayor of the City of East Orange; and recognition from the Historical Society of East Orange, New Jersey.

In January 2015, Alston’s performance video of Troubled Water by Margaret Bonds was selected as Juilliard Alumni Video of the Month. He is particularly known for performing rarely heard works for piano and orchestra, including Anton Rubinstein’s Piano Concerto No. 4, Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement, Duke Ellington’s New World A-Comin’, James P. Johnson’s Yamekraw, and Louis Moreau Gottschalk’s Grand Tarantella.

Richard Alston has performed at Carnegie Hall during the Tribute to Sylvia Olden Lee and continues to be in demand as a soloist, chamber musician, guest-artist concerto performer, and lecturer in the United States and abroad. He regularly tours with his Classically Black series and is currently working on a new recording project.

In addition to his performance career, Alston is a highly sought-after classical piano coach for advanced artists and maintains a select group of students at his private home studio. Auditions are required.

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