We are please to have Drew Mays, winner of the 2007 International Van Cliburn Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, performing with us in our upcoming concert. Drew was granted a full scholarship to the University of Alabama School of Music where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1982 with summa cum laude honors while studying with Amanda Penick, chair of the piano department. 

He continued his studies at the Conservatory for Music in Hanover, Germany studying with Bernd Goetzke, a pupil of Arturo Michelangeli; then moved to New York City and began a Master of Music degree at the Manhattan School of Music studying with Nina Svetlanova. 

His Master's degree was completed at the University of Alabama again with Amanda Penick in 1987. His formal debut was in Grand Rapids, Mi chigan as the first prize winner of the Young Keyboard Artists' Competition.  After completion of his musical training, Dr. Mays attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine from 1987 until 1991.  He served his residency at UAB in the Department of Ophthalmology.  Currently he practices in Birmingham with a faculty appointment at UAB within the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital.  He also has a private clinical practice. 

He and his wife, Dr. Therese Mays, MD live in Birmingham and have four children.  Dr. Mays returned to playing the piano in 2002 after a 15-year absence. He was awarded second prize in the 2006 Rocky Mountain Amateur Piano Competition. In 2007, he was awarded first prize in the Van Cliburn International Competition for Outstanding Amateurs .