Philip Amalong, known for his fiery, passionate interpretations and breathtaking technique, is a multi-faceted pianist with an extensive repertoire and stylistic range. His intensity and involvement in the music he performs prompted one listener to say; "itÕs as if he is sitting down to a grand, luscious feast, and inviting us to share in it..." A native of Philadelphia, Philip Amalong began piano studies at the age of five with his mother and continued until the age of 17 with Marion Paugh. His recital appearances include Philadelphia area venues such as the Union League, the Academy of Music, the Hill School, Cabrini College, Curtis Institute, and Drexel University. He was first prize winner of the Drexel Keyboard Award, multiple winner in the Tri-County Concerts Association Competition, and finalist in the Philadelphia Orchestra Youth Competition and Pottstown Orchestra Youth Competition. At an early age, Amalong also developed his love for chamber music, playing and performing with a piano trio coached by Metta Watts and Orlando Cole at The New School of Music and Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Mr. Amalong attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music after receiving a Van Cliburn Competition Scholarship; here he studied with Frank Weinstock. Other awards during this time include first prize in the McElroy Competition and the Sarah B. Marvin Scholarship Award, and recently awards at the IBLA Grand Prize International Piano Competition in Sicily and a Fellowship to the Rome Festival in Rome, Italy. He has participated in masterclasses of Gary Graffman, Cecile Ousset, and Samuel Sanders. Amalong received a MasterÕs degree in Collaborative Piano from CCM, studying with the celebrated pianist, Sandra Rivers. His chamber music coaches during this time included Peter Oundjian and Yehuda Hanani. His collaborative career has included recital performances with: Mark Gould (Principal Trumpet, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra), William Ver Muelen (Principal Horn, Houston Symphony), Richard Hawley (Principal Clarinet, Cincinnati Symphony), and David Anderson (Principal Bass, Louisiana Symphony.) He has performed as accompanist in master classes of Dorothy Delay, Zara Nelsova, Julius Baker, Peter Wiley, Samuel Baron and many others, and has also appeared and recorded with the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops, the Fort Wayne Symphony, and the Dayton Philharmonic. He performs in various cities throughout the U.S. has played in Germany, Czech Republic, France and Italy. Amalong's recordings include world premieres of works by Angelo A. della Picca, David Anderson and Rick Sowash and he has produced numerous recording projects on which he has performed as a soloist or in partnership with other musicians. Ensemble performances include regular appearances with the RAZBIA ensemble, a quartet with oboe, clarinet and cello and The Mount Trio, a piano trio formed at the College of Mount St. Joseph where he is Assistant Professor of Music. In addition to his activities as a pianist and teacher, Mr. Amalong is a composer, both of concert music and commercial scores for television and film productions. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and is an amateur mountain bike racer and outdoor enthusiast and enjoys following the Tour de France and professional cycling in general.