South African-born, US-based pianist Justin Krawitz is known for his highly considered artistic collaborations that lend his performances of new and little-known repertoire a distinct sense of authority. Following his performance of Karel Husa’s First Piano Sonata, the Pulitzer prize-winning composer wrote, “the level of his artistry and commitment is extraordinary.” His work with South African composer Hendrik Hofmeyr culminated in the world premiere of a new piano sonata inside Cape Town Central Train Station as part of the public arts festival Infecting the City. His diverse performance experience has included recitals at venues such as the UNESCO heritage site Chateau Kroměříž, participation in outreach concerts at a Wisconsin prison, and work as a recording artist for Czech Radio and Colorado Public Radio.
Krawitz has a particular interest in the intersections of music and social justice. In his performance work, he enjoys challenging traditional formats and concepts of audience, curating experiences that foster change, growth, and empathy. A collaboration with New York composer Bruce Adolphe led to performances with a focus on music and human rights for the Colorado festival Off the Hook Arts. Other partners on social justice-oriented initiatives have included Anna Thorvaldsdottir and Brett Dean.
Krawitz was a Paul Collins Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2006-2009, a Donald Gordon Creative Arts Fellow at the University of Cape Town in 2011, and a Sponsored Research Fellow at the University of Northern Colorado in 2016.