Ana S. Popa

Biography

Since her public debut at eight, Ana Sorina Popa, D.M.A., a classical pianist, has performed across North American and Europe as a recitalist, chamber music collaborator and orchestral soloist. Her appearances in such distinguished halls as Jordan Hall in Boston, the Romanian Academy in Rome, the Dalles and Atheneum Halls in Bucharest, Festsaal des Bezirksamtes Margareten, Vienna, or the Ingmar Bergman Center in Sweden have garnered widespread acclaim. Her first live recording for the Romanian National Radio at age 16 was followed by several appearances on the Romanian National Television Stations, as well as the local TV stations in Massachusetts. 

Popa is the founder and artistic director of two professional trios, Trio con Anima, which has had several American and European tours, and the Stonehill Trio, which combines performance and education through the format of lecture recitals. In both her solo and chamber career she is an active promoter of new music, has a strong interest in presenting music by women composers, and looks for the unusual and deserving when designing a program. In addition, she has founded, led and was the Artistic Director for over a decade of the Sunday at Three concert series in Dorchester, Massachusetts, that brought free access to classical music to an underserved community of enthusiastic listeners. 

Throughout her career, Popa has won several piano competitions. Her Chopin and Haydn performances received Special Mentions at the Ibla International Piano Competition and Festival in Italy.

Popa’s doctoral thesis, entitled You Become What You Practice: Applications of Tai Chi Principles to Piano Playing, takes a critical look at the fundamental points of view prevalent in Western playing and pedagogy, identifies shortcomings and their effects, and proposes changes to the physical and mental approaches towards the piano.

Popa is a member of the College Music Society, the New England Piano Teachers Association, Massachusetts Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association. She is an active regional, national, and international competition judge. 

Education

• B.A., New England Conservatory of Music
• M.M., Boston University
• D.M.A., Boston University

Research Interests

• Body mechanics and instrumental playing
• Philosophical influences as practical outcomes in performance
• Tàijí Quán as an integrated way to enhancing health, preventing performer’s injuries and actualizing potential
• Eastern and Western attitudes towards performance
• Contemplative practices relevant to music making
• Piano pedagogy and body awareness
• Pedagogical bridges between the teaching of martial arts and music

Courses Taught

• Piano
• Music History
• Music Capstone