Donald Shabkie
Pianist, Composer, Teacher
Reviews and References
Before examining Mr. Shabkie's bio, please examine the following reviews and references:
The Item, Sumter (SC) Daily Newspaper, February 20, 2005.
"Valentine performance offers variety of classics"
"Pianist Donald Shabkie began the evening up-tempo with the fast-paced Piano sonata in A minor by Domenico Scarlatti. Two later etudes by Alexander Scriabin also showcased Shabkie's direct approach, forgoing dramatics for a studied, forceful musical interpretation, one filled with passionate phrasing and clear articulation".
Review by Jane E. Collins, Special to The Item
Donald is an extremely versatile musician — he is equally at home with Chopin as he is with Celtic music, and his own compositions are wonderfully original, too. What's most striking is the intensity and sincerity with which he plays.
Dr. Alan Weinberg
Concert Artist
Chair of Piano Department
Columbia College
As a playwright, I've had the privilege of working with Don and commissioning him to
create many compositions which embrace many genres of music for theatre. His artistry
and dedication to quality never disappoint even when we agree to disagree. He has a
unique talent for understanding lyric, characterization and the appropriate way to blend
various musical styles in the process of developing works for the stage. Most recently,
he created timeless compositions honoring the legacy of my former teacher,
jazz dance innovator and living legend, Eugene "Luigi" Faccuito.
Karen Setlowe, Playwright
Don and Karen work on music for Never Stop Moving - Luigi's Legacy, a
musical based on Luigi's life.
I have had the pleasure of working with Don Shabkie in many musical collaborations over the past twelve years. He is a wonderful pianist, superb composer, and outstanding choir master. His creative musicianship is in evidence with everything that he does. I cherish the opportunities we have had to make music together.
Dr. Les Hicken, Director
Furman Bands
Carolina Youth Symphony
Lakeside Concert Series
Professor, Furman University
Don Shabkie is an electric and eclectic performer. His concerts are always both interesting and exciting.
Lillian Quackenbush
Department of Music
Columbia College
I've been involved with Don's music-making in many situations, from the Emrys Foundation's site-specific modern dance work to jam sessions in a living room to contra dances. He uses his deep knowledge of the creative process to relate with ease and understanding to his audience and to other artists he collaborates with. To work with Don is to work without ego. He knows that all the arts speak of the same things but in different languages. Don is a communicator.
Jennie Wakefield
Emrys Foundation of Greenville
Greenville, SC
Don Shabkie is an outstanding composer, pianist, Irish harpist, accompanist, and coach. I have observed his work in various musical ensembles and he consistently exhibits sensitive musicianship and artistry. His commitment to professionalism manifests itself in his preparation, promptness, and pleasant demeanor. I recommend him highly.
Dr. Bruce Schoonmaker
Professor of Music and Coordinator of Vocal Area
Furman University
Present Work
Dance Musician for the ballet program at South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts
Organist at Memorial Methodist Church, Greer, SC
Active Composer of classical and Celtic music.
Member of Approved Artist Roster, South Carolina Arts Commission
Piano Teacher, piano tuner
As a composer and concert artist, Mr. Shabkie plays the piano, and when performing Celtic music, also plays the Celtic harp.
Previous Posts
Full-Time Dance Musician
Columbia College, 1997 to 2004
Music Director Trinity Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest, SC, 1991 to 2013
Dance Musician, Carolina Ballet, 2004 to 2006
He has also served as dance musician at:
- North Carolina School for the Arts
- Spartanburg Ballet
- Univeristy of South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory
- SC Governor's School summer dance programs — 1984 to 2000
- SERBA and SCADA Dance Festivals
For recent achievments, please visit the Calendar Page
Notable Past Achievements
- He has appeared on SCETV.
- Donald Shabkie appears on the South Carolina Arts Commission Arts in Education Roster of Approved Artists. Donald is approved in the field of music. Selection of artists to appear on this prestigious Roster is through a juried process. Donald is thus available for work in educational settings within the state, subsidized in part by grants made by the South Carolina Arts Commission. He recently completed a residency in Goose Creek, SC. For more about the Marrington residency and the SC Arts Commission, please visit arts on this site.
- He has composed numerous works for church choir and hand bells, many having been used in other churches, most notably at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, Greenville, SC, under the direction of Bruce Schoonmaker, voice faculty at Furman University. His choral works and arrangements for piano, organ, and instrumental ensembles, are played and sung frequently at the Trinity Presbyterian Church.
- He composed numerous piano solo pieces that he performed in concerts around South Carolina, including several while serving as accompanist for Metropolitan Opera singer Sarah Reese.
- He has served in numerous capacities as an improvisational dance accompanist including: SERBA accompanist 1990-1996, and South Carolina Dance Association Festivals at different universities in SC.
He has played ballet classes for the following dancers:
- Edward Villella (numerous times), Elyse Borne, Robert Barnett, and Ron Colton, all of the New York City Ballet
- Susan Jaffee, premier ballerina of the American Ballet Theater
- Carolyn Adams of the Paul Taylor Dance Company
- Miriam Barbosa of the Martha Graham Dance Company
- Lorraine Graves of the Harlem Ballet
- Hubbard Street Dance Ensemble of Chicago
- Rebecca Wright and George de la Pena
- Hernan Justo and Anita Sun Paclowski of the School of Carolina Ballet
Education
Mr. Shabkie attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and is a 1975 graduate of Furman University where he received a BM (cum laude) in Piano Performance. While attending Furman University, he studied under the late Dr. David Gibson. He has also studied with concert pianists Richard Cass and Ronald Turini (a pupil of Horowitz).
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