Darren Lael: Advanced Piano Instructor at Hickory Arts
Darren Lael earned degrees from North Carolina School of the Arts and University of Maryland, including collaborative studies at University of Colorado, and is available for Traditional Advanced Piano Lessons at Hickory Arts.
Broad Experience in Regional and National Theatre Productions
A native of Hickory, Darren Lael has collaborated in a variety of settings such as classical music, theatre, church performances, and ballet. He currently serves as the organist at First United Methodist Church. As a member of the United States Army Field Band, Darren toured and performed across the U.S., spending approximately 120 days on the road each year. Notably, he partnered with prestigious ensembles like the Detroit Symphony, Cleveland Pops, and Boston Pops during special holiday concerts. Additionally, Darren performed as a soloist on works by Gershwin and Shostakovich. He also contributed to several recording projects, including The Legacy of Leonard Bernstein, The Legacy of George Gershwin, The Legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan, and The Soundtrack of the American Soldier (Grammy-Best Immersive Audio Album), recorded at Skywalker Sound in California.
Soloist and International Performer
Darren earned degrees from the North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of Maryland, furthering his education with collaborative studies at the University of Colorado. While at NCSA, he performed Bartok’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the school orchestra, winning the student concerto competition. Furthermore, he has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in Raleigh, Gardner-Webb University, and Grand Valley State University. Darren also expanded his international experience by studying and performing at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France, and participating in the Tibor Varga Festival in Sion, Switzerland.
Extensive Theatre Experience
Beyond classical music, Darren has toured across North America with renowned theatre productions like Grease!, Smokey Joe's Café, Godspell, Oklahoma!, and The Full Monty. His diverse experience in both classical and contemporary music, along with theatre, has made him a versatile and accomplished musician.
