Dr. Yakov Kasman, Professor and Artist-in Residence in the Department of Music, has been named a Distinguished Professor by the Board of Trustees. According to the guidelines for faculty appointments, the rank of Distinguished Professor is a campus-wide appointment, recognizes international accomplishments, is to be limited in number, and confers richly deserved prestige and honor on those selected. Criteria include: accomplishments that bring great credit to UAB, international recognition for scholarly contribution to the individual's chosen profession, numerous achievements and extensive peer recognition in the individual's chosen professional or academic discipline, and exemplary character and integrity reflecting great honor upon UAB.
Dr. Kasman emerged on the American music scene in 1997 when he won the silver medal at the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Previously, he had won top international piano prizes, including the 1991 Valentino Bucchi Competition in Rome, the 1991 London World Piano Competition, the 1992 Arthur Rubinstein International Competition in Tel Aviv, and the 1995 International Prokofiev Competition at St. Petersburg. Over the past 21 years, he has given concerts in, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North and South America and has appeared as soloist with more than 70 orchestras.
Since arriving at UAB in 2002, he has been a teacher and adjudicator of piano competitions across the state, nation, and around the world. He is an active participant in local, state, and national music education organizations and has guided his students to win their own national and international prizes.
He has numerous recordings on the Calliope label, some of which have won international awards and are ranked as best in a survey of recordings over the past 75 years.
In addition to his recognition as Distinguished Professor, Dr. Kasman is the 2012 recipient of the Ireland Prize for Scholarly Distinction.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Kasman on this honor.
— Robert Palazzo, Dean
