Name: Mikhail “Misha” Pekar
Hometown: Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, but have lived in the Charleston area since a young age
Year/major: Senior music (piano performance) and arts double major
What CofC organizations you have been involved with and/or scholarships/awards have you received?
- Student Alumni Association
- Isabella Mebane Memorial Scholarship in Piano Performance
- Runtagh Scholarship in the Arts
- Virginia E. Zeigler & Marguerite Z. Williams Scholarship
- Edwin Davis Peacock Award for Excellence in Piano
- Music Department Alumni Award
Why did you choose the College of Charleston? Charleston is an incredibly vibrant cultural city, with many opportunities to develop and grow in artistic fields. The College, and specifically the School of the Arts, plays a central role in the cultural life of Charleston and provides students with the opportunity to be at the forefront of Charleston’s artistic development.
Misha Pekar
Why did you choose the piano specifically as opposed to another instrument? Playing the piano is what I love doing above anything else. I have played since I was incredibly young, and growing up I don’t remember there being a question of switching to another instrument. Also, I’m a bit biased considering I personally consider the piano to be an instrument providing more stylistic and performance opportunities than other instruments!
Do you have a mentor at the College? My professor Paul Sanchez has really elevated and pushed my playing the past four years – partially through challenging me academically and helping me improve my level of playing, but also partially by inspiring my confidence in my own abilities to try for new things I never thought I was capable of.
What performances are you looking forward to this year? I am incredibly excited to play the Scriabin Piano Concerto with the CofC Orchestra at the Sottile Theatre on March 21, 2022. Performing a piano concerto with a full orchestra has been a lifelong dream of mine and I am honored to be given an opportunity to perform with the CofC Orchestra – especially a piece of music that is very dear to me.
What is unique about your experience at the College? I wasn’t expecting to be this involved in my department and program. There is a general sense of camaraderie and collaboration among students and faculty, with everyone really pushing and creating opportunities for each other. That environment has really been incredible.
What are your plans post graduation? I am currently working for Spoleto Festival USA and will continue with them for a little while post graduation. Eventually I want to continue down my current path education-wise and am looking toward graduate school and beyond.
