Ursula Oppens has long been recognized as the leading champion of contemporary American piano music. Her original and perceptive readings of old and new music have earned her a place among the elect of today’s performing musicians. For her extensive discography, she has been nominated five times for a Grammy Award and has premiered works by composers such as John Adams, Luciano Berio, William Bolcom, Elliott Carter, John Corigliano, John Harbison, Julius Hemphill, György Ligeti, Witold Lutoslawski, Meredith Monk, Conlon Nancarrow, Tobias Picker, Frederic Rzewski, Joan Tower, Christian Wolff, and Charles Wuorinen.
As soloist Ms. Oppens has performed with many of the world great orchestras, including the New York, Los Angeles, and London Philharmonic and the Boston, Chicago and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras. An avid chamber musician, Ms. Oppens has collaborated with the Arditti, Juilliard, Pacifica, and JACK quartets. She is a Distinguished Professor of Music at Brooklyn College, the CUNY Graduate Center and on the faculty of Mannes College/The New School.