Dr. Abigail Mace

Biography

Dr. Abigail Mace (piano) is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the Music Preparatory Department at Oklahoma Baptist University where she coordinates the keyboard area, directs the OBU Keyboard Festival, and teaches applied piano, piano literature and piano ensemble courses. Mace is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, an active member of the Music Teachers National Association and serves frequently as an adjudicator, clinician and presenter at festivals and conferences.

Mace’s career as a pianist has led to performances across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Highlights include performances on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Sunday Afternoon Live from the Chazen series, for the Fulbright Europe Gala concert at the Universität der Kunst in Berlin, Germany, and multiple solo piano recitals at colleges and universities across the country including Bowling Green State University, The University of Nebraska at Omaha, Oklahoma State University, and Oklahoma Baptist University. During the 2020-2021 season, Dr. Mace performed a 250th birthday recital of works from Beethoven’s middle period.

Dr. Mace is a 2010-2011 Netherland-America Foundation Fulbright Fellow with studies on harpsichord at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. During her time in Europe, she studied with Jacques Ogg on harpsichord and performed throughout the Netherlands, and in Germany and Italy. She continues a career researching and performing in the historically informed performance movement and is an active soloist and collaborator at the harpsichord, performing from a figured bass according to historical principles.

Prior to OBU, Mace held positions at Wayne State College and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. While completing her graduate work at The University of Texas, Mace held a teaching assistantship under the supervision of Martha Hilley and Sophia Gilmson, teaching applied and group piano and coordinating the UT Piano Project.

Dr. Mace earned her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Piano Performance from The University of Texas (2008, 2012) where she studied with Nancy Garrett, and her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, summa cum laude, from Vanderbilt University (2006) where she studied with Craig Nies and Amy Dorfman.

Education

• B. Mus., Piano Performance, Vanderbilt University (2006)
• M.M., Piano Performance, The University of Texas at Austin (2008)
• D.M.A., Piano Performance, The University of Texas at Austin (2012)
• Netherland-America Foundation Fulbright Fellow, The Royal Conservatory of The Hague (2010-2011)

Courses Taught

• Applied Piano
• Applied Harpsichord
• Piano Literature
• Piano Ensemble
• Accompanying
• Class Piano

Memberships

• Music Teachers National Association (2008 - Present)
• Oklahoma Music Teachers Association (2016 - Present)
• Shawnee-Area Music Teachers Association (2018 - Present)

Awards and Honors

• Outstanding DMA Lecture Recital Award, The University of Texas at Austin, 2012
• Netherland-America Foundation Fulbright Fellow, 2010-2011, The Hague, Netherlands
• Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Piano, 2006-2010, The University of Texas at Austin
• Colorado College Summer Music Festival Fellow, 2007, Full-Tuition Fellowship
• Prague International Master Classes Scholarship, 2007, Prague, Czech Republic
• Dean’s Honor Scholar, 2002-2006, Full-Tuition Scholarship, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Selected Publications

• Doctoral Thesis: Style and Interpretation in the Seven Keyboard Toccatas of J. S. Bach, BWV 910-916 (2012)

Selected Presentations

• Oklahoma Music Teachers Association, State Conference, Stillwater, OK, June 11, 2021 “Teaching That Connects Us: Shared Experiences and Practical Pedagogy from our Musical Ancestors”
• Wisconsin Music Teachers Association, State Conference, La Crosse, WI, Oct. 21, 2016 “Balking at Bach: Inspiring Successful and Enthusiastic Performances of J. S. Bach’s Keyboard Works in Resistant Students”
• Minnesota Music Teachers Association, Convention, Minneapolis, MN, Jun. 14, 2016 “Balking at Bach: Inspiring Successful and Enthusiastic Performances of J. S. Bach’s Keyboard Works in Resistant Students”
• Bowling Green State University, Guest Lecture, Bowling Green, OH, Apr. 7, 2015 “Bach to the Basics: Teaching Bach’s Keyboard Works Successfully”
• The University of Texas at Austin, Lecture Recital, Austin, TX, Apr. 9, 2012 “From Venice to Weimar: Italian Influences in the Seven Keyboard Toccatas of J. S. Bach, BWV 910-916”

Selected Performances

• Beethoven 250 Festival, Solo Piano Recital, Nov. 5, 2020, Yarborough Auditorium, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK
• Guest Artist, Solo Piano Recital, Sept. 15, 2020, Seretean Center for the Performing Arts, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
• Guest Artist, Solo and Collaborative Harpsichord Performances, Feb. 2, 2020, Brisch Center for Historical Performance, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK
• Keyboard Academy Artist, Solo Piano Recital, Nov. 8, 2018, Yarborough Auditorium, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK
• Faculty Spotlight, Collaborative Piano Performance, Jul. 27, 2016, Dendrinos Chapel, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI