Dazzling Texas Talent moves into the Finals

Last year 16-year-old Thomas Steigerwald, a student at San Antonio's Musical Arts Centers of San Antonio, was one of only a few Texans featured on "From the Top," the National Public Radio program for young classical musicians. Now he's climbed another pinnacle in the world of pre-collegiate classical pianists. He is one of only seven top teen pianists in the U.S. who have reached the finals of the national championship sponsored by the Music Teachers National Association.

To reach this prestigious level, Thomas competed and won over several hundred other young pianists. He won first prize at the Texas state level, then first prize at the South Central Division of Music Teachers National Association, and now he is recognized as one of the seven best young pianists in the entire country! Championship finals are set for March 20-22 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with Thomas competing against six challengers from Michigan, New York, Washington, Virginia, California, and Iowa.

Hear Thomas play at http://www.musicalartscenter.com/

Steigerwald in the KPAC Studios playing Balakirev's Islamey: