Pianist-conductor Brian Gilling has distinguished himself as an exceptionally versatile musician

and collaborator. Performing across North America and Europe, he has garnered acclaim for

both his adept leadership and engaging performances of chamber music, art song, opera, and

orchestral music. He has received praise for his "surehanded leadership" (New York Times) and

his "thorough musicianship" (PGH in the Round).

Brian has worked with orchestras and opera companies in Europe and across the US. This

season, he music directed and conducted LoftOpera’s production of “Pergolesi & Vivaldi” and

additionally served as pianist and music director with Opera Saratoga. Last season, he

conducted La Rondine at Undercroft Opera in Pittsburgh, and performed with the Berkshire

Opera Festival. Previously, he conducted and music directed the world premier of Davis Good’s

Echo, a one act opera, at Pittsburgh Opera, and served as the assistant conductor with the

Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra. He has served as assistant conductor on a number of

productions including Otello, Don Giovanni, Albert Herring, and others.

In the 2018 - 2019 season, he will serve as the coach accompanist in the young artist program

at Opera Colorado, where he will music direct productions of Romeo & Juliet and La

Cenerentola, and assist on main-stage productions of La Traviata, The Afterlife, Josephine, and

The Marriage of Figaro.

A passionate advocate for new music, Brian has worked extensively with living composers and

presented premieres at the piano and from the podium of works by Jean-Patrick Besingrand,

Erberk Eryilmaz, Etienne Rolin, Curtis Rumrill, Peter Kramer, and more. He serves as the music

director, pianist, and conductor for NAT 28 — a new music group based in Pittsburgh that

champions local composers, explores social justice issues through its programming, and

performs extensively across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Brian is the pianist and co-founder of the award-winning Lîla Quartet. Their recording of

Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time is expected to be released by the end of this year. He

has also collaborated with baritone Joel Goodloe, pianists Dimitri Papadimitriou, Nathan

Carterette, Amaury Morales, and many more.

Brian received both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Carnegie Mellon University

School of Music in Pittsburgh. His principal teachers included Sergey Schepkin, Daniel Curtis,

Robert Page, and Brian Garman.

contact: brian.gilling at gmail