Nyaho later received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin studying with David Renner. Following a four-year residency as a North Carolina Visiting Artist, Chapman Nyaho taught at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette from 1991-2002. He was the recipient of the 1998 University of Southwestern Louisiana Distinguished Professor Award and the 1998 Acadiana Arts Council Distinguished Artist Award. He also held the Heymann Endowed Professorship.

Chapman Nyaho’s performing experience includes recitals in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and in cities across the United States including Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center. He has performed as soloist with orchestras across the South. Chapman Nyaho has been featured on radio and television broadcasts in Ghana, Switzerland, and National Public Radio. He also developed and hosted The Bach Show for the classical radio station KRVS in Louisiana.

Among his engagements, which also include chamber music, Nyaho also performs regularly as duo pianist team, the Nyaho/Garcia Duo, which has released a compact disc on the Centaur Label, Aaron Copland: Music For Two Pianos.

Chapman Nyaho not only serves as a regular guest clinician at colleges and universities around the United States but also as an adjudicator for national and international piano competitions. His teaching credits include prize-winners at piano competitions. Chapman Nyaho is an active member of the College Music Society and the Music Teachers’ National Association and gives lecture-recitals and workshops advocating music by composers of the African Diaspora.

Reviews

" ...played with superior expressivity, rhythmic vivacity and kaleidoscopic shading ... The humanity of the music and Nyaho's gripping performances kept my ears glued to this disc. Let's hope the pianist continues to explore — and record — more such commanding repertoire."

—Gramophone Magazine, reviewing the recording Senku
 

"A thoroughly satisfying and moving musical experience"

— The Thomasville Times, NC
 

"effortless technique, splendid rhythmic grasp and fullness of tone allowed his performance to reach great heights..."

— The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, CA
 

"Delicate and sensitive touch allowed us to hear another side of this multi-faceted performer..."

— The Dispatch, Lexington, NC
 

"His technique was wonderful and his energy tremendous."

— The Whitworthian, Spokane, WA
 

"...plays with a great deal of clarity but avoids an overly clinical, sterile approach. Intricate melodic details were clearly delineated, but the pianist never lost sight of the composer's larger vision..."

— The Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA
 

"Selbst schwierigste passagen absolvierte der Künstler mit, so konnte man meinen, spielender Leichtigkeit. Die Finger wirbelten förmlich über den Tasten." ("The artist handled the most difficult passages with, what seemed playful ease. The fingers literally whirled over the keyboard.")

— Elb-Havel-Echo, Germany

About the Nyaho/Garcia Duo:

"So perfectly attuned and synchronized...the listener imagined instead one performer - one head, one heart, but four hands."

-The Thomasville Times, NC
 

"... gifted artists..."

— Maya Angelou
 

"The Nyaho/Garcia Duo play with syncopated abandon and lyrical sensitivity."

— American Record Guide
 

"The Nyaho/Garcia Duo…form a perfect match in their style of playing, in their tone, and in their genuine feeling for and understanding of the Copland pieces……this CS will be the standard against which any future performances of these dances will be measured."

— Classical Magazine

Excerpts of letters from presenters:

"William Chapman Nyaho would add authentic musicality, dazzling pianism, high intelligence, dignity and genuine warmheartedness to any concert or teaching venue. I recommend him to you without reservation."

— Barbara Lister-Sink
Artist-in-Residence
Professor of Piano, Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC
 

"Not only did Nyaho hold their attention until after the end of the period, but they gave him a standing ovation and were shouting "encore!" This kind of response, to anyone's knowledge, has never happened at any previous Forum. The students rated his performance as the best Forum presentation of the semester, and they want him to come back again."

— Charlotte Y. Kroeker, Ph.D.
Whitworth College, Spokane, WA
 

"I am beaming as I write this letter. Your performance and presence at the Fall 2002 Conference of the North Carolina Music Teachers Conference was absolutely brilliant. Practically every single member present approached me to rave about your performance...It was a privilege to have someone with your keen insight, personal experience, and artistry share these musical gems of the African diaspora with us. The entire presentation was enhanced by your personal charisma and charm!"

—Dr. Victoria Fischer
North Carolina
Music Teachers Association
 

"A stunning performer whose creative impulse reflects utmost sincerity and dedication to the art of the composer, Nyaho reveals artistic vision and superb technical execution."

— Myrtle E. David
Executive Director, DeBose National Piano Competition Foundation
 

"He gave a knockout perormance of Beethoven, Ginastera, the Dett piece, and more...I couldn't be happier with the result, nor luckier."

— Joan O. Epstein
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL

About the Nyaho/Garcia Duo:

"Together, their singular enthusiasm for performing creates a compelling experience for audiences."

— Jacqeuline Lyle
Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, Lafayette, LA

Contact details and further information

E-mail William Chapman Nyaho

For further details, see William Chapman Nyaho's website