Mitchell Vines’ active performing career has taken him to Europe, South America, Asia and throughout the United States. The German newspaper Hessische Niedersächsische Allgemeine wrote “The sensitive playing of American pianist Mitchell Vines captivated the audience. He performed with virtuosity and bravura.”
Mitchell’s professional associations include Berkshire Choral International, New York Summer Opera Scenes, Trinity Church Wall Street, CantaLyrica Chamber Choir, and the Vermont Music and Arts Center. He was twice soloist with the New York Repertory Orchestra, performing Bartok’s 3rd piano concerto and Milhaud’s Le Carnaval d’Aix. Mitchell has performed with numerous singers and instrumentalists, and is in high demand as a collaborative pianist.
His teaching experience includes positions with the Aspen Music Festival, Mannes School of Music, Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music and the Harlem School of the Arts, and he is a music director for theater, opera and cabaret. Mitchell can be heard on the CD "American Music for Trumpet and Piano" on Capstone Records, and he is featured on a CD of vocal chamber music by North German composers on the Syrinx label. Recent recordings include a CD of compositions by Paul Zeigler, a recital with Japanese soprano Selena Miyazaki, and a collaboration with flutist Tia Roper on Albany Records.
A native of Portland, Oregon, Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Arts from Portland State University and a Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music. While at Eastman, he held a Fellowship in accompanying and was awarded the Performer's Certificate, the conservatory’s highest honor. Previously music director of Bay Ridge United Methodist Church and Beacon Unitarian Church in Summit, New Jersey, Mitchell is pianist at Temple Israel of New York City. This will be his ninth year accompanying BCI choristers when he joins the faculty in Richmond.