Gabriel Palacios

Gabriel Palacios began his piano studies at age five with Phoebe Hemingway at the Suzuki Institute of Dallas. In addition to piano, Gabriel studied cello with Donna Davis. When the Palacios family moved to Khon Kaen, Thailand, Gabriel studied piano with Dr. Eri Nakagawa at Mahidol University, and then he took lessons with Dr. Bret Serrin, of the Suzuki Institute of Dallas. While in Thailand, Gabriel was able to work on his improvisational skills as well as his sight-reading skills, both of which proved vital to his experience as a collaborative pianist.

In 2016 Gabriel began attending Andrews Academy, where he accompanied both the Silhouettes (select choir) and the Chorale. Additionally, he occasionally played for the Wind Symphony.

In 2018 Gabriel enrolled at Andrews University under the tutelage of Dr. Chi Yong Yun. He has been the primary collaborative pianist for University Singers as well as his collegues while being a piano performance major, mathematics major, and an important part of the soccer team.

In addition to his duties at the Andrews University, Gabriel has been active in the Michiana area as a collaborative pianist, occasionally performing with and rehearsing such groups as the Southwestern Michigan College Choir, the Monday Music Club of Michigan, and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Chorus. Gabriel is currently the pianist/organist for First United Methodist Church in Mishiwaka, IN, where he serves as the chancel choir pianist. He intends to pursue a graduate degree in the near future.

• Soloist with the Andrews Academy orchestra (2015)
• Soloist with the Andrews Academy orchestra (2017)
• Dare to Dream (full tuition) Scholarship Recipient (2018-present)
• Winner of the Stickley Piano Competition (2018)
• Winner of the Southern University concerto competition (2019)
• 2nd place prize Montecito piano competition (2019)
• Master classes with Ian Hopson, Saleem Ashkar, Alexei Volodin, Regulo Martinez-Anton and others
• Outstanding Student Presentation Award awarded by the Mathematical Association of America (2021)
• Carnegie Hall debut (2024)