Mikhashoff, Yvar

Yvar-Emilian Mikhashoff was born Ronald McKay in Troy near Albany, New York in 1941. He began piano studies with Betty Weir and Stanley Hummel in Albany. At the Eastman School of Music in 1959, he first took a major in composition and cello, then changed to piano studies with Armand Basile. In the 1961 academic year, he studied piano at the Juilliard School in New York City. He also had a career as a ballroom dancer from 1962-1965. In 1964 Mikhashoff entered the University of Houston for studies in piano with Albert Hirsh. He earned a B.M. in 1967 and continued with graduate study in composition with Elmer Schoettle and obtained his M.M in 1968. It was during this period that McKay adopted his grandfather's name, Mikhashoff. Receiving a Fulbright scholarship, he studied the music of the French Impressionists with Nadia Boulanger. After his return to the United States, McKay entered the University of Texas at Austin as a doctoral candidate in composition and studied with Hunter Johnson, Kent Kennan, Janet McGaughey and Karl Korte. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree with a major in composition and a minor in literature in August 1973 and founded the Cambiata Soloists ensemble. In the Fall of 1973 Mikhashoff was appointed Assistant Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Based in Buffalo until his death in 1993, Mikhashoff had an international performing career which led him to promote new music and American music around the world. In addition to organizing many festivals and broadcasts of new music throughout the world, Mikhashoff was one of the founders of the North American New Music Festival and its director for 11 years. He commissioned works from such notable composers as John Cage, Lukas Foss, Otto Luening, Poul Ruders, James Sellars, Christian Wolff, and many others; he edited some works of Henry Cowell, Lejaren Hiller, Conlon Nancarrow, and Virgil Thomson.

From the description of Photograph Collection, ca. 1930-1993. (SUNY at Buffalo). WorldCat record id: 57515781

Pianist.

From the description of Autograph postcard signed, postmarked : Bangkok, 27 October 1984 , to the "Students of Dr. M." in the Music Department at SUNY Buffalo, 1984? Oct. 27. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270958240

Yvar-Emilian Mikhashoff (1941-1993; b. Ronald McKay) was a composer, pianist, program designer, member of the State University of New York at Buffalo Music faculty, and active participant in the contemporary music scene.

From the description of Papers, 1952- (bulk 1965-1993). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122632580

Pianist, composer, and instructor, Yvar-Emilian Mikhashoff was born Ronald McKay in Troy, near Albany, New York in 1941. He began piano studies with Betty Weir and Stanley Hummel in Albany. Mikhashoff studied at the Eastman School of Music in 1959 and in the 1961 academic year, he studied piano at the Juilliard School in New York City. He also had a career as a ballroom dancer from 1962-1965. In 1964 Mikhashoff entered the University of Houston, where he earned a B.M. in 1967 and a M.M in composition in 1968. Receiving a Fulbright scholarship, he studied the music of the French Impressionists with Nadia Boulanger. After his return to the United States, Mikhashoff earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in August 1973. In the Fall of 1973 Mikhashoff was appointed Assistant Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Based in Buffalo until his death in 1993.

From the description of Collection of Tangos, 1983-1991. (SUNY at Buffalo). WorldCat record id: 61136054