Recently returned from a command performance tour of England which included the legendary St. Paul’ s Cathedral in London, organist Adam Brakel is proving that prodigies do not fade. After having been called “ An absolute organ prodigy, with the technique and virtuosity that most concert pianists could only dream of, and having the potential to be the leading organist of his generation…The Franz Liszt of the organ” by NPR in Florida, the young recent Masters graduate of the Peabody Conservatory has already embarked on a successful concert career, playing from coast to coast in America. Dame Gilliam Weir, one of the foremost organists in the world has said of Brakel, “ He is to be commended for his devotion to the art of performance, and to music itself.”

Not only does this young phenomenon perform as a concert artist, but he is now Director of Music at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. This promotion follows 2 years as Director of Music/Organist at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Palm Beach Gardens, a position he was appointed to at 25, which made him one of the youngest directors appointed to a Cathedral in this country.

After beginning his musical studies at the age of four, Mr. Brakel was awarded an American Guild of Organists scholarship as a junior in high school and then enrolled at Duquesne University where he studied organ with Dr. John Walker and Dr. David Craighead as well as harpsichord with Rebecca Rollett. While still a student at Duquesne, Adam became the Associate Organist at St. Paul Roman Catholic Cathedral in Pittsburgh where he performed as accompanist for the choir, and participated in all of the various day-to-day duties such as playing at masses, weddings, funerals, and was also featured a few times a week on television broadcasts throughout western Pennsylvania.

As a performer and top prizewinner of many competitions, Adam further distinguished himself in the Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition, the Reuter/Augustana Arts Undergraduate Organ Competition, the Gruenstein Memorial Organ Competition, the John Rodland Memorial Scholarship Competition, the French Organ Music Seminar Competition and the Carlene Neihart International Organ Competition.

Adam Brakel graduated from Duquesne University magna cum laude in 2006 and was awarded the Andre Marchal Award for Excellence in Performance. He then enrolled at Juilliard, receiving numerous top awards while there including the John Dexter Bush Scholarship, and the Alice Tully Award. Not satisfied with mere studies, Mr. Brakel became the Assistant Organist at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on Park Avenue where he played for numerous performances including choral, masses, rehearsals and concerts. While still at Juilliard, he also performed at the famed St. Patrick’ s Cathedral and the great Central Synagogue.

In 2007, Adam enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore where he finished his Masters work and enrolled in their Graduate Performance Diploma program where he studied with the esteemed teacher, Donald Sutherland. Among his achievements in Baltimore were the receipt of multiple scholarships and awards, and he was one of the guest assisting organists at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

His recent performance highlights, in addition to the tours of England in 2009 and 2010, were the performances of the complete works of Cesar Franck and the six etudes of Jeanne Demessieux, one of very few performers to handle these virtuosic works. He also studied in France in 2008 where he also performed in Toulouse.

Brakel just completed his Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory in December. Brakel now is focusing on his many church responsibilities, constant recital and accompanimental engagements, and various other musical invitations which take him from coast to coast, and abroad.

Mr. Brakel is currently represented by the Concert Artist Cooperative Management with assistance from Chesapeake International Artists.