Today we’d like to introduce you to Artina Mccain
Hi Artina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a Texas girl born and raised who moved to Memphis about 9 years ago. I love music, loose leaf tea and boutique/online shopping! My husband claims Memphis as home. He’s a bass trombonist and we perform together as the McCain duo. I am a classically trained pianist and now professor at the University of Memphis where I am the coordinator of the keyboard area and also the co-founder of the Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition. At the University, I spend my time inspiring the next generation of young musicians helping them to find their niche in the world. I also am the artistic curator of the PRIZM Mahogany Chamber Series here in Memphis, TN. We exist to equal the playing field for artists and repertoire that are presented on the concert stage. Hopefully, by presenting what I would describe as classical fusion, genre inclusive programs we attract some new audiences to chamber music! Chamber music started off as music played in homes pre-radio, tv or large touring buses! It was music for friends with the composers in the room at times. More recently it has become a high brow art form for higher social classes and often is unheard of by those outside of those classes. There are many organizations trying to reach more people and I am happy to be in that camp of artists, thinkers and visionaries. I am very passionate about being an advocate for equity in the arts and presenting a concert series that brings all people together and has something for everyone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Great question. I always wanted to be in music. I was never one of those people that had a plan B. I always had this plan A and planned to execute it. But then I injured myself in my early 20’s and had to stop performing piano for 6 years. I was a graduate student one month away from finishing my masters degree in piano performance. Talk about a bummer! As a performance major I couldn’t play if I was injured and that meant graduation would be delayed. During this time, I did a lot of soul searching and seeking alternative medical solutions. It was a depressing time. When we connect ourselves so closely to our career, external identity or “what we do” it can be difficult when that thing is taken away or shaken. What does one do when we can no longer make that our identity? I am a very spiritual person, so my faith in Christ is very important to me. That’s something that really brought me through that difficult time. Praying and asking God, what am I actually supposed to be doing? Should my identity be in music? The answer would be a resounding no. We have so many more dimensions to who we are than what we do or who society says we are. At the time of my injury, I was a graduate student so I was too young to really grasp that concept and hard to accept the reality of how things are vs. how I wanted them to be. I was living in Cleveland and decided the stress of life was too much. I decided to move back home and explore options in Texas. Eventually, I was able to rehabilitate enough to start playing again and I decided to pursue a doctorate degree in piano performance at the University of Texas at Austin. I would have one more injury to overcome before finding a new modality called The Continuum Method in Austin, TX. It really opened up a new way for me to think about my body and restored hope in me being able to have a career as a concert pianist! Now I enjoy an international performance career that I never thought would be possible.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a concert pianist, speaker, and educator.
I am a professor at the University of Memphis.
I am known for promoting the works of underrepresented artists and repertoire. I have book entitled 24 African American Folk Songs published by Hal Leonard for beginning and intermediate pianists. If you love spirituals, hymns and other songs from the African American experience you will love this book.
Accomplishments I am most proud of are some of the amazing concert halls I’ve been able to play in across the world including: Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall and Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles. Most recently one of the coolest gigs was performing apart of a show curated by Solange Knowles called “El Dorado Ballroom”. This show brought together esteemed artists in various gospel and classical genres. It was so brilliant for her to bring artists together in such a special concert series.
As an educator, I think what sets me apart from others is establishing a global career after an almost career ending injury. I hope I can offer some inspiration for my students but also encourage them to follow their dreams no matter the obstacles!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Wow! There isn’t enough space or time to tell of all the wonderful encouragers I have had along the way. My family have been wonderful cheerleaders throughout my life! Mom, Dad, Husband (Dr. Martin McCain) and a host of other relatives have always supported me in my endeavors. My grandparents were also wonderful encouragers while they were alive and I was a young child. I think there has to be some kudos given to the parents who take you to the music lessons when you are a child and encourage you when you don’t really sound like much! That job is just as important as the person with the talent. They are the people who enable the world to hear and receive the gift. It’s easy for others to celebrate after playing in concerts curated by Solange Knowles, or Carnegie Hall etc. I really value those who are with me in the times that I have been at my lowest and no one was celebrating me at all. In addition, I have had some wonderful teachers at each institution I went to: Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Austin, Cleveland Institute of Music. They have encouraged me and offered opportunities for my career to grow along the way. I think it is so important in a career that doesn’t have “job applications” to have people who believe in you and willing to champion you no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artinamccain.com/
- Instagram: @artinamccain
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artina.mccain/
- Twitter: @artinamccain
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artinamccain
Image Credits
YNOT photography (personal photo), Ziggy
