Faculty Profiles

A versatile force in contemporary music, Paul Sánchez’s work as a performer, composer, and producer has placed him at the forefront of the American classical landscape. Twice Grammy-nominated, Sánchez is an artist defined by what The New Yorkercalls “clarity and sensitivity” and Fanfare Magazine describes as “clear virtuosity.”

His recent accolades include being named 1st Place Winner of the 2026 American Prize in Piano Performance (Concerto) — The Lorin Hollander Award, as well as a quadruple National Finalist across the professional divisions of Solo Piano, Concerto, Chamber Music, and the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music. These honors underscore a career that seamlessly bridges the gap between the standard canon and the vanguard of new music. As a creator, he was also awarded 2nd Prize in the 2024–25 American Prize in Composition for his work NEFERTARI.

Sánchez’s career is defined by his deep advocacy for living composers. His collaborative partnerships with Shawn Okpebholo, David M. Gordon, and Graham Lynch have resulted in world premieres and award-winning recordings, including the Grammy-nominated Dreams of a New Day (Cedille Records), which reached #1 on the Billboard Classical charts. His work with Okpebholo, including the release Songs in Flight with Rhiannon Giddens, highlights a commitment to music that addresses vital contemporary narratives. His championship of Gordon and Lynch has led to landmark premieres, including Gordon’s concerto Fabular Arcana and Lynch’s White Book 3.

As a recording artist, Sánchez has released twelve albums. His recordings of Charles Ives with William Sharp are featured in the film Charles Ives’ America, which JoAnn Falletta called “the most important film ever produced about American music.” As a composer, his song cycle the journey is the subject of a chapter in Twentieth- and Twenty-First-Century Song Cycles (Routledge), alongside works by Samuel Barber and Jennifer Higdon.

A visionary leader, Sánchez is a co-founder of the Dakota Sky Foundation, the San Francisco International Piano Festival, and the Charleston Chamber Music Intensive. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Piano at the Texas State University School of Music and Associate Director of the Texas State International Piano Festival.

A Steinway Artist and Fulbright Fellow, Sánchez’s training includes a Master of Spanish Music under Maria Teresa Monteys and Alicia de Larrocha. He studied with Tamás Ungár at Texas Christian University and with Douglas Humpherys at the Eastman School of Music, where he completed his MM and DMA degrees. He is also a sought-after audio engineer and producer for labels such as Albany, Divine Art, Imaginary Animals, Navona, and Supertrain.