Emmanuel Sikora

Emmanuel Sikora (born July 3, 1991) is a Peruvian American music composer and pianist. He is best known as one of the few active concert pianists whose repertoire consists largely of his own work. His YouTube channel currently has over a million views.
Sikora has been honored by the city of Arequipa for important contributions to the musical life of Peru. He is an artist represented by Price Attractions which specializes in Artist Management, Concert Management, Music, Entertainment and Performing Arts. 
== Early life and education ==
Sikora was born in Ithaca and is a life-long resident of Cortland, New York. He is the son of Gina Sikora, a Peruvian-born scholar, and John Sikora, an engineer. Sikora began studying the piano when he was 6 and started composing at 9 years of age. He stopped formal piano lessons at the age of 12. As a teenager, Sikora showed exceptional promise as a singer as well as a composer, winning prizes in both mediums at the state level. 
He attended Queens College between 2009-12. After graduating from Queens, Sikora was invited to attend Samuel Adler's summer semester for young composers at the Free University of Berlin. He graduated from Binghamton University with a Masters in Music in 2014.
== Career ==
At 16, Sikora won a national prize for his art song "The Shadow Rose", and was invited to attend a performance of his work at the NAfME National Conference in Milwaukee (Wisconsin). While in Milwaukee, he met Maurice Peress, who later became his conducting and composition teacher at Queens College. Besides Peress, his composition teachers include Edward Smaldone and Bruce Saylor
During his studies and through his 20's, Sikora's career was largely private. In late 2020, he started a YouTube channel, uploading performances and recordings of his work. Within a year, his videos had received over 300,000 views. Sikora then began playing the piano in public more regularly, with programs consisting of his own work, as well as pieces by colleagues and improvisations on Peruvian folk melodies. 
Sikora has performed throughout Europe and the United States. On August 23, 2021, Sikora made his performing debut with a professional orchestra with the Ukrainian Festival Orchestra at the Lviv Organ Hall. Sikora continues to perform in recitals and with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. He recently joined hands with Vince Ambrosetti on the composition and publication of two hymns through ILP.
When he is not touring, Sikora plays the organ at churches in Binghamton, including St. Cyril & Methodius, St. Mary of the Assumption Church, and the Church of the Holy Trinity. 
== Awards ==
Some of his recognitions include:
• NYSSMA [New York State School Music Association] Winner of the Composition Talent Search for The Shadow Rose,2007 and Scherzando, 2008
• MENC [National Association Music Education] award at the Music National Conference- Young Composers for The Shadow Rose; Milwaukee, 2008.
• MENC [National Association Music Education] Winner of the Composition Talent Search for Nocturne and Mazurka for piano, 2009. 
• Cultural Council of Cortland County, 1st place; Music Composition Competition, 2008.
== Personal life ==
Sikora is Roman Catholic and claims to be a psychic. He professes to perform at his best while experiencing visions. Robert Sikora is his brother. He acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2019.
==In the media==
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== References ==
== External Links ==
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Category:American people
Category:1991 births
Category:American pianists