Daniel Colalillo is a New York City–based pianist recognized for his bold programming and expressive, intellectually driven performances. Colalillo recently made his sold-out
Carnegie Hall debut, premiering Lowell Liebermann’s Piano Sonata No. 4 and further establishing himself as a compelling voice in both standard and contemporary repertoire.

The New York Classical Review praised “a marvelous performance… stimulating and rewarding, from a musician who had something to say,” while The Classical Music Guide wrote, “He always plays expressively, never mechanically.” Colalillo’s performances have also been recognized in The New York Times and the Nashville Scene. Colalillo has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and Steinway Hall, and has appeared at institutions such as Princeton University, Columbia University, and MIT. His performances span major cities such as: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Boston, Nashville, Toronto, Montreal, & more. Colalillo has been an artist-in-resident at The San Francisco Conservatory of Music at the Art of the Piano and the Lake George Music Festival.

Colalillo made his concerto debut when he was 18, performing Beethoven’s 2nd Concerto with the MK Symphony only after playing piano for only 3 years. Since then, he has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras playing concertos ranging from Gershwin, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Beethoven Concertos 3, 4, and 5.

A dedicated advocate for contemporary music, Daniel has premiered numerous works for solo piano and chamber music. During Covid he curated “Pandemic Piano Preludes,” an all prelude project where he commissioned 5 composers alongside with standards and hidden gems. Most notably he performed with Mannes’ MACE Contemporary Ensemble working closely with composer Lowell Liebermann and other renowned composers.

Colalillo is the Artistic Director of Classical Keys, a chamber music series now in its 7th season, organizing concerts in New Jersey and Klavierhaus NYC. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with leading chamber musicians from top institutions from Curtis, Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes, as well as members of the NY Philharmonic, The Met Opera, Avery Fisher Career Grant recipients and more.

A passionate educator and advocate for classical music; he has presented masterclasses at Belmont University, New York University and has lectured for the Scriabin Society of America. He serves on the Council Board of Groupmuse, an organization dedicated to promoting house concerts throughout the United States and abroad. Colalillo is on the piano faculty at Concordia Conservatory and the 92nd St Y, and maintains a private teaching studio in Manhattan. He has been awarded “Top Piano Teacher” from Steinway & Sons.

Colalillo began playing piano at the late age of 15, quickly rising to prominence. He and earned his Master’s degree in Piano Performance from Mannes College: The New School for Music, studying with Thomas Sauer and Eteri Andjaparidze; and holds a Bachelor of Music from Purchase College, where he studied with Paul Ostrovsky (Protégé of Emil Gilels).

Colalillo is represented by Classical Management for European engagements.